A Muslim hiking group has created a revolutionary prayer mat with major brands specifically designed for the outdoors. 

Signs pointing to Mecca on the Peak District’s most popular hiking routes have also been installed.  

Muslim Hikers, a group tackling barriers to make the outdoors more inclusive, received online abuse following a Christmas Day hike in 2021 and an appearance on BBC’s Countryfile in September 2022, where the group was accused of not being ‘proper walkers’.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Muslim Hikers praying during their hiking event. Image: Patrick WilliamsMuslim Hikers praying during their hiking event. Image: Patrick Williams (Image: Patrick Willams)

The popular hiking group brings together Muslims from across the UK for its national events on the UK's most picturesque trails.

Wiggle and Adidas TERREX have worked closely with Muslim Hikers to identify the barriers that need breaking down like facilitating praying in the outdoors and making the countryside feel like a place that Muslims can enjoy.

The aim of the bespoke prayer mats and first-of-their-kind signs is to empower more Muslims to get outside and celebrate everything nature has to offer.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Muslim Hikers work with Wriggle and Adidas TERREX to create outdoor prayer mat. Image: Patrick Williams Muslim Hikers work with Wriggle and Adidas TERREX to create outdoor prayer mat. Image: Patrick Williams (Image: Patrick Williams)

So far, 100 prayer mats have been created and donated to Muslim Hikers as part of the partnership.

The prayer mats’ design depicts topography - used on maps to represent contours - and was created in partnership with QM design, a seventh-generation Islamic craftsman.

Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca up to five times a day and groundbreaking signs have been placed along one of the Peak District’s most popular hiking routes, Cave Dale, in a bid to help Muslims more easily incorporate prayer time while exploring the outdoors.

The signs will not only point the Muslim community in the right direction of prayer but also signal to a wider audience that the outdoors is for everyone.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Signs pointing towards Mecca installed across the Peak Districts most popular routes to make the outdoors more inclusive. Image: Patrick WilliamsSigns pointing towards Mecca installed across the Peak Districts most popular routes to make the outdoors more inclusive. Image: Patrick Williams (Image: Patrick Williams)

Haroon Mota, founder of the Muslim Hikers said “Everyone should feel empowered to get outside and enjoy nature, and the prayer mats and signs have made it easier for us within the Muslim community to do this without having to worry about the practicalities of prayer.”

Huw Crwys-Williams, CEO at Wiggle, added: “ We were disappointed to hear reports of abuse that the Muslim Hikers received and back the group’s goal of bringing the community together through hiking.

"By partnering with the Muslim Hikers and Adidas TERREX, we aim to bring awareness to the fact that any form of exercise is for everyone and will strive to improve accessibility for all communities.”

Justin Cader, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Adidas TERREX, said “Adidas TERREX wants to ensure that everyone has access to nature. Our partnership with Wiggle and Muslim Hikers demonstrates our commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive."