My ABC Piano
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BSU graduate expands global business with launch of new interactive educational toy
Wednesday, 20 November, 202418-24 November marks Global Entrepreneurship Week, and the University is taking the time to celebrate all things entrepreneurial. BSU is proud to nurture a community of successful business owners, encouraging a pioneering spirit through its courses, funding schemes, mentorship programs, and much more.
Kamal Ali
Bath Spa University MA Design (Textiles) graduate Kamal Ali has recently expanded his thriving business with the launch of My ABC Piano – an interactive educational toy.
Kamal is the inventor of the world’s first patented interactive prayer mat, a creation inspired by his infant son, Hamzah, who needed help understanding where to place his hands, feet, forehead and nose when performing the daily prayer, Salah.
Since its inception, My Salah Mat has grown exceptionally, reaching previously untapped markets through social media. The company’s following has soared, hitting 1.4 million followers on TikTok, 600,000 on Instagram, 729,000 subscribers on YouTube and reaching close to a billion people worldwide.
With a vision of making Islamic education more interactive, accessible, and enjoyable for families everywhere, the brand’s global reach is achieving just that. My Salah Mat has since launched a mat for adults and has recently updated its features, innovating to meet the needs of more young learners by adding a Salah translation button, helping children to learn their prayers in different languages.
Kamal has also been collaborating with the Welsh government to establish a formal presence in Bangladesh and has secured a patent for his interactive prayer mat, solidifying his commitment to innovation in Islamic learning.
Discussing the best parts of his career as an entrepreneur, Kamal said:
“It’s the ability to bring my ideas to life and create products that make a positive difference in people’s lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see children learning and growing with our products and to receive feedback from parents who find genuine value in what we’ve built.
Entrepreneurship has also allowed me to be flexible with my time, giving me the opportunity to prioritise my family, which is the most important thing to me.”
Adding another string to his bow, Kamal’s company has recently launched a new addition to the product line – My ABC Piano. Invented as a tool to support children’s literacy development, the patent-pending toy features piano keys corresponding to letters in the alphabet and reciting their sounds and names when pressed. The product features three interactive games and phonics activities to help strengthen children’s memory, language skills and confidence in literacy.
This has been followed by the My Quran Pad – an early language development tool to make learning Arabic and the Quran fun and engaging for children. With features that recite the Arabic alphabet, beginner words, and animal names, as well as introductory chapters of the Quran known as Surahs and devotional songs known as Nasheeds.
Discussing why his businesses are important to him on a personal level, Kamal said:
“My struggle with dyslexia inspired the creation of My ABC Piano, as I wanted to make literacy more accessible and enjoyable for children who may face similar challenges.”
He continued:
“These businesses represent my dedication to education and my desire to support families in nurturing both their children’s faith and literacy skills. Every product we create has a personal story behind it, making my work deeply meaningful.”
Utilising his degree throughout his entrepreneurial career, Kamal describes his time at BSU as pivotal in shaping his journey. Combining the creativity of product design with the foundations of business, the University’s MA Design (Textiles) course enables students to reach their creative and professional potential.
Reflecting on his time at the University, Kamal said:
“The course at BSU gave me a solid grounding in both the creative and commercial sides of product design, which was invaluable as I embarked on building my businesses.
The University’s focus on creativity, innovation, and real-world experience is instrumental in helping students develop their ideas and turn them into successful ventures. By offering support, guidance, and an environment that encourages curiosity, BSU helps students build the confidence and skills they need to pursue entrepreneurship.”
Kamal hopes to continue expanding My Salah Mat and My ABC Piano on the global stage, deepening his commitment to cultural representation in education through meaningful and thoughtful products.
With social enterprise at the heart of his inventions, Kamal sees his products as tools for social good, bridging gaps in literacy in communities around the world:
“Ultimately, my goal is to inspire young minds, nurture their growth, and make a positive impact through our products.
For anyone considering entrepreneurship, I encourage them to start with something that feels personally meaningful. Building a business is challenging, but when it’s rooted in purpose, the journey becomes much more rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my community, and I look forward to where the next steps in our journey will take us.”
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