{{Short description|British Bangladeshi entrepreneur}} {{Undisclosed paid|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Kamal Ali | image = Kamal-Ali-Newport.png | birth_place = Newport, Wales<ref name="asian" /> | education = Design (BA Hons), Product Design (Masters), Teacher of Design Technology (PGCE) | occupation = Product designer | alma_mater = Bath Spa University, University of South Wales, University of Warwick | notable_works = My Salah Mat }}
'''Kamal Ali''' is a British Bangladeshi entrepreneur and the founder of the educational product, My Salah Mat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Jonathon |title=Welsh entrepreneur built an international company from a tiny office |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-entrepreneur-who-built-company-26092552 |work=WalesOnline |date=29 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He is known for his contribution to the field of Islamic education by inventing the smart interactive Muslim prayer mat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interactive prayer mat made in Wales goes viral in Middle East |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62123093 |work=BBC News |date=12 July 2022}}</ref>
==Career== After completing his studies, Kamal began to develop an anti-theft ihram belt in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=DeenTalk: My Salah Mat Story - Brother Kamal Ali on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-salah-mat-story-brother-kamal-ali/id1631200906?i=1000587570200 |website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref> This was designed for people traveling for the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage,<ref>{{cite news |title=What's Wales Worth? Growing exports despite recession |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-22816431 |work=BBC News |date=10 June 2013}}</ref> and led to him launching the brand ''Hajj Safe'', a company that designs and manufactures anti-theft ihram belts. At this time he was a teacher by profession.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnato |first1=Katy |title=Deadly stampede at Mecca highlights dangers of hajj |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/25/deadly-stampede-at-mecca-highlights-dangers-of-hajj.html |work=CNBC |date=25 September 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
After the success of Hajj Safe, Kamal Ali started working on an educational tool that would help young children learn about Salah{{Clarify|date=December 2024}} in an engaging and interactive manner.<ref name="asian">{{cite news |last1=Hanif |first1=Andleeb |title=Asian Express Newspaper - Creative heart: How a father made the world's first patented interactive prayer mat |url=https://www.asianexpress.co.uk/2023/02/creative-heart-how-a-father-created-the-worlds-first-patented-interactive-prayer-mat/ |work=Asian Express Newspaper |date=6 February 2023}}</ref> This led him to conceptualize and create the My Salah Mat which is a prayer mat designed for children that uses interactive technology to teach children to learn to pray in a fun and interactive way.<ref>{{cite news |title=The graduate who is revolutionising the way Islamic prayer is taught to children |url=https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/news-2022/the-graduate-who-is-revolutionising-the-way-islamic-prayer-is-taught-to-children/ |work=University of South Wales}}</ref> The prayer mat utilizes touch-sensitive sensors and built-in audio to guide children through the various steps of Salah, including positions and recitations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Lewis |title=Welsh dad's interactive prayer mat is a hit across the Muslim world |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/my-salah-mat-prayer-newport-19063035 |work=WalesOnline |date=13 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
Ali's product gained widespread recognition and popularity within the Muslim community, both locally and internationally.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welsh company's interactive prayer mat goes viral thanks to export success |url=https://www.gov.wales/welsh-companys-interactive-prayer-mat-goes-viral-thanks-export-success |work=www.gov.wales |date=30 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="asian" />
In 2014, Ali campaigned to renovate Pill Park for his son's safety. Despite some cleanup by Newport City Council, Ali remained disappointed due to lingering broken glass. He emphasizes the need for CCTV and monitoring. The council acknowledges the concerns and planned to revise park inspections.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dad 'disappointed' with Pill Park clean-up effort |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/11346440.dad-disappointed-with-pill-park-clean-up-effort/ |work=South Wales Argus |date=17 July 2014 |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, Ali was a finalist for the Welsh Global Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Jonathon |title=Welsh entrepreneur built an international company from a tiny office |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-entrepreneur-who-built-company-26092552 |work=WalesOnline |date=29 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, Kamal was selected as a finalist by the Welsh First Minister for the St David Awards in the category of Innovation, Science and Technology.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hospice volunteer, former teacher, and teen snooker champ among Gwent awards nominees |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23372484.st-david-awards-2023-liam-davies-among-nominees/ |work=South Wales Argus |date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kamal Ali Nominated for Innovation, science and technology award |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/kamal-ali |work=www.gov.wales |date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}} Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Newport, Wales Category:Alumni of Bath Spa University Category:Alumni of the University of South Wales Category:Alumni of the University of Warwick Category:21st-century British businesspeople Category:21st-century Welsh businesspeople