British Muslim Woman Launches Islamic Toy Store Online
Nazia Nasreen, 31, says her range of dolls, colorful prayer mats, Quran cards and Arabic letter blocks fill a gap in the market and also help battle extremism.
Nasreen, from Birmingham, set up Ibraheem Toy House in 2014 and sells her products all over the world, according to the Daily Mail.
She said: 'A lot of times children learn the wrong things and that's where the extremism kicks in. If the right educational toys and books are provided from a young age, we can instill the correct Islamic ethos and values in our children'.
She is in a group of leading British 'Muslim Mumpreneurs', which also includes Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, who juggle bringing up children and running successful businesses in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world.
The mother-of-two now sells 200 toys, games and other children's products and her turnover has near-doubled to £30,000 in just a year.
Popular products include dolls for £25, foam Arabic alphabet blocks for £12.99, a cardboard minaret for £22, prayer mats for £17 and Ramadan bunting for £9.
The businesswoman, whose biggest markets are Britain and America, also says the toys can 'instill the correct Islamic ethos and values in our children' and put them on the path the peace.
She says her business has built a 'fan following' and this weekend she will meet customers at a Muslim Lifestyle Expo in Manchester.
There will be at least 130 exhibitors taking part with female entrepreneurs last year showcasing non-alcoholic mocktails, greeting cards, luxury prayer mats, Islamic toys, fashion and cosmetics.
Explaining the importance of her products, Nasreen said: 'I want children to grow up being proud of their religion and heritage and knowing the truth about Islam.
'We teach what any other religion would how to pray, spirituality, sharing so from day one they have the core belief. Then they know who they are and no one can misguide them'.
Nasreen set up the business because she struggled to find the right toys for her own family.
She said: 'I struggled to find good quality, Islamic toys and books for my children from one store.
'I was exhausted having to shop around in a number of places just to buy Islamic toys and Eid presents for my little ones. I saw a gap in the market and sought to fill it, making Ibraheem Toy House the first online Islamic toy store in the UK'.
