Adidas Rolls Out Muslim Prayer Mat To Encourage Inclusivity In The Outdoors
In Islam, the call to prayer happens five times daily: morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening. Those who practice it will then kneel to pray on a holy mat in the direction of Mecca.
A prayer mat from Adidas Terrex, UK sports retailer Wiggle, and hiking group Muslim Hikers honors this devotion to one’s religion by allowing Muslims to pray no matter where they are or what environment they find themselves in.
Metro reports that this initiative was sparked by Muslim hikers who faced discrimination during a Christmas Day trek in 2021. This venture aims to create a safe space for Muslims to enjoy the outdoors while honoring their faith.
The mat is adorned with traditional Islamic art and topography to emphasize the significance of religion, even while hiking. It is made of 100% polyester, making it lightweight and easy to carry on long treks. The mat has pockets on each corner to secure it in case of strong winds. It is waterproof and durable, enduring all weather conditions and terrains.
Muslim Hikers have also marked out the direction of Mecca along one of the Peak District’s most popular trails, Cave Dale, so that other trekkers know in which direction to pray.
Wiggle and Adidas Terrex is donating the first 100 mats to the Muslim Hikers group, and other trekkers can head to Wiggle’s website to pick one up for themselves for £20 (US$24.46).
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[via Hypebeast and Metro, images via Muslim Hikers]
