World's first Muslim toy store: Shop selling hijarbies opens in bid to tackle extremism
THE world's first online Muslim toy shop selling ‘Hijarbies’ and colourful prayer mats has launched.
Nazia Nasreen is behind the online Muslim toy shop
Birmingham mother-of-two Nazia Nasreen founded Ibraheem Toy House in a bid to help battle extremism.
Her range boasts products including Muslim Barbies - dubbed Hijarbie - which cost £24.99, prayer mats costing £17, Arabic alphabet blocks for 12.99 and Ramadan bunting at the price of £9.
Ms Nasreen said: "I want children to grow up being proud of their religion and heritage and knowing the truth about Islam.
Nazia is a mother-of-two
I want children to grow up being proud of their religion and heritage and knowing the truth about Islam
The 31-year-old told The Times: "A lot of times children learn the wrong things and that's where the extremism kicks in.
"We teach what any other religion would - how to pray, spiritually, sharing - so from day one they have the core belief. Then they know who they are and no one can misguide them."
The businesswoman, whose biggest markets are the UK and US, will this weekend meet customers at a Muslim Lifestyle event in Manchester.
There will be at least 130 exhibitors taking part with female businesswomen last year showcasing greeting cards, luxury prayer mats, Islamic toys, cosmetics and non-alcoholic mocktails.
The toy shop sells colourful prayer mats
The Muslim toy shop is the first in the world
Ms Nasreen launched her business after coming up with the idea while on maternity leave.
She added: "Because I started two years ago I have built a fan following.
"People like the idea of a mum behind the business trying to make it fun for her children."