Tell us about yourself and your background.
Salaams, I’m Hajji Laird Mostafa from Liverpool, UK. I come from a very distinguished and prominent family within the British South Asian, Bangladeshi, and medical communities, deeply committed to service, integrity, and community involvement. This rich legacy has fostered in me a strong sense of community service and a passion for nurturing meaningful relationships within the Muslim community. I’m a former Bengali artist, a role that helped me connect with my heritage and express our cultural richness.
My mum, an accomplished Bengali, Qur’an, and Arabic teacher, shaped my values and cultural identity, while my dad, a renowned scholar and internationally eminent ophthalmologist, inspired my desire to give back. Losing him to bone cancer at 14 deeply affected me; had he been alive, his guidance would have ensured I followed his path rather than pursuing social entrepreneurship. However, I honor his legacy by serving the community in my own way.
My academic background includes a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Liverpool and an Executive Education in Islamic Philosophy from the University of Cambridge, blending science, ethics, and human connection in my approach. As a counselor, life coach, and mental health first aider, I guide others through emotional challenges and relationship-building. My dad’s vision—pun intended—was instrumental in our family becoming one of the first Apple Mac-based families globally, sparking my interest in technology and innovation. I often joke that it was our own ‘iMaculate Conception’—a fusion of technology and purpose that continues to inspire me today.
How did you get started in entrepreneurship?
My entrepreneurial journey began when I identified a gap in the market for a dedicated, digitally secure, and socially impactful matrimonial platform, with mandatory digital ID verification and optional enhanced Guardian monitoring that caters to Muslims seeking marriage. The traditional methods of matchmaking e.g. Auntie networks and marriage bureaus and other matchmaking websites often fell short in terms of user experience and safety. Inspired by my dad’s commitment to using technology to enhance patient care, I decided to leverage my skills to create a solution that addresses these issues.
What is Muslim Marriage Services?
Muslim Marriage Services (MMS) is the world’s only certified social enterprise Muslim matrimonial brand, accredited by Social Enterprise UK, dedicated to digital security and social impact in the world’s largest matrimonial market (as opposed to dating). MMS aims to tackle the unique challenges faced by Muslims in forming meaningful connections.
We provide a safe and respectful environment for individuals to explore potential matrimonial partnerships. Our platform features Yoti AI-powered ID verification and advanced Guardian monitoring to enhance member safety and privacy.
Our Guardian Council, currently includes myself, three family members (including a top-level diplomat in the Bangladeshi government), and a respected female Sharia scholar and global family solicitor, ensuring that our organization aligns with Islamic values.
What inspired you to found Muslim Marriage Services?
The inspiration to found MMS came from my experiences and conversations with friends and family who struggled to find compatible partners in today’s complex matrimonial landscape. With divorce rates among British Muslims at 42% and around 31% in North American Muslim communities, these alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for a supportive platform to address the Muslim marriage crisis.
I spent over a decade at Apple from 2005 to 2016, where I gained invaluable insights into digital innovation. In 2015, I envisioned a matrimonial service with secure digital ID checks, though the technology wasn’t yet widely accessible. Developing MMS took time, but it was totally worth the effort to create a service that upholds Islamic values while embracing modern technology. This initiative aims to promote healthy relationships and support successful marriages, directly addressing this pressing social issue in our community.
Can you explain what a social enterprise is and the steps you are taking as a social enterprise?
A social enterprise is an organization that balances profit generation with a commitment to creating positive social impact. This includes principles like asset lock, where at least 50% of profits are reinvested into community initiatives instead of being distributed to shareholders.
Steps We Are Taking at MMS:
Financial Sustainability: Although we are a new organization and haven’t generated profits yet, our premium business model positions us for growth while focusing on our mission.
Community Reinvestment: We commit to reinvesting at least 50% of our profits into community initiatives, such as relationship education workshops, to help build strong marriages.
Holistic Wellbeing: In my interview with Inspirited Minds, a leading British Muslim mental health charity, I discussed trauma, grief, and marriage, encouraging those affected to seek counseling—reinforcing our commitment to mental health and relationship support.
Values Alignment: Our work integrates Islamic values of charity and community welfare, using innovation to create positive social outcomes.
Through these efforts, MMS aims to foster meaningful relationships and make a tangible impact on our community.
How did you secure funding for your venture?
Securing funding for MMS involved a combination of family investment of £50k and crowdfunding. I initially used my savings to develop the platform, and then I reached out to my mum and community networks to raise additional funds.
Have you faced any challenges? How did you overcome them?
Absolutely, running a software-based business presents many challenges. One significant issue we encountered was server downtime, a common occurrence in the tech industry. While this can be frustrating and disruptive, we focused on effective responses. Our team diligently established robust contingency plans to ensure prompt communication with our users and timely updates.
We also invested in upgrading our infrastructure to enhance reliability and minimize future downtime. This experience taught us the importance of adaptability and resilience, reinforcing our commitment to providing a secure and dependable platform. It also highlighted the need to be more proactive in communicating our strengths and values, particularly through our social enterprise marketing efforts. Recognizing this, we increased our outreach and engagement strategies to better connect with our audience and build trust.
Ultimately, these challenges have led to steady growth and continuous improvement of our services.
What is your mission?
At MMS, our mission is to empower students and young professionals (18-30) to navigate marriage with confidence, grounded in Islamic values. We dedicate 50% of our profits to community resources, emphasizing marriage as a collective responsibility to complete half the faith.
In light of the shocking £92 million lost to romance fraud in the UK in 2022 (City of London Police), we are committed to ensuring a secure matchmaking experience. By implementing digital ID verification and offering enhanced Guardian monitoring, we provide our members with peace of mind, knowing that the site is digitally secure and safe, with authentic profiles.
We aim to tackle the global Muslim marriage crisis, addressing the challenges faced by educated Muslim women and men in finding compatible partners. Our approach combines proactive partner searches with comprehensive education on communication, compatibility, rights, and autonomy in choosing life partners.
How long did it take from your initial idea to launching the company?
From the initial idea in 2015 to the company’s founding in 2018 and eventual launch in 2023, the journey spanned eight years. One of the biggest challenges was securing funding from my mum, who was initially cautious about investing in a new venture, particularly as a doctor’s wife. After five years of discussions and support from two family members, both engineers, I finally gained my mum’s blessing, which allowed me to start research and development in 2020.
However, during the development process, I had to switch from a Bangladeshi to an Indian IT team in late 2021 due to customer service issues. With digital ID technology advancing, this phase was essential for building a strong MVP (minimum viable product), with user feedback helping shape our unique features. While the social impact vision was always part of our mission, we pursued formal social enterprise certification later, aligning our growth with a commitment to accountability and community impact.
What makes MMS unique in the marketplace?
AirPort-Level Digital ID Verification: We require enhanced digital ID checks to guarantee the authenticity and safety of our members.
DynamIQ Guardian™ Monitoring: Our optional Guardian monitoring system enhances safety while preserving privacy by overseeing profiles, notes, and chats within the Social Impact Membership® and monitoring audio and video calls on Zenith Premium Plans®.
ProfileShield™: This feature enables members to selectively share their profiles with Premium or Trusted members, pending Guardian approval.
Social Impact Membership®: Our social impact fee covers ID verification and supports community initiatives.
Zenith Premium Plans®: Our Zenith members benefit from features like video profiles and calls, and exclusive access to marital counseling, coaching, and family legal services.
Compatibility Tools Members benefit from our free Big Five personality quiz to improve self-awareness and compatibility.
Redefined Search Filters: Industry-leading search filters for unmatched matchmaking.
Distinct Brand Identity: Our innovative logo represents our mission, while the strapline “Love Built on Trust and Digital Security” highlights our commitment to safety and trustworthiness. The .GLOBAL domain reflects our forward-thinking, international reach, and commitment to inclusivity.
Open Dialogue on Divorce: We foster honest conversations on marriage and divorce in Muslim communities.
Community Initiatives We sponsored Season One of “Divorced Muslims: A Second Chance,” to engage with and support our community.
Credibility Through Partnerships: Collaborations, such as with Single Muslims Marriage Events, enhance our outreach and trust, exemplified by special guest Dr Asif Munaf at the July 2024 event in Manchester.
Transparency and Accountability: We voluntarily publish social impact reports to maintain stakeholder transparency, with our first report in progress.
Dedicated Support: I currently manage communications for all members and potential members but will establish a dedicated support team as we grow to ensure everyone feels valued.
What has been your biggest success since launching MMS?
One of our biggest successes since launching MMS was being selected for the prestigious Entrepreneur Seminar Accelerator, the #1 online business mentoring program founded by renowned British entrepreneur, Martin Warner. This opportunity allowed us to gain valuable insights, mentorship, and exposure to a network of entrepreneurs, which has been instrumental in our growth and development.
Additionally, MMS has been nominated for the Islam Channel Awards 2024 in various categories, further validating our commitment to supporting the Muslim community and enhancing our platform’s reputation.
What has been your biggest career success?
My appointment as an inaugural Foundation Ambassador at the Global Acceptance Network (GAN), serving on the Member Advisory Council, has been a major career success. This prestigious role allows me to influence global digital trust governance, (much like ICANN’s role for DNS Domain Name System). This role strengthens our ability to implement secure digital practices within Muslim Marriage Services (MMS), supporting our mission to provide a safe, authentic matchmaking experience while engaging in broader digital trust and safety efforts.
As a Senior Specialist at Apple Trafford from 2005 to 2008, I achieved record sales of over £1 million annually in the North West market, which deepened my understanding of technology and strengthened my commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
I earned the Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) designation in January and am working toward full Chartered status. Currently, I’m pursuing the Professional Certificate in Strategic Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with plans for further postgraduate studies in business administration. These achievements validate my efforts and enhance my ability to champion social entrepreneurship and our mission.
MMS has established a strategic partnership with Yoti, the world leader in digital identity verification. Can you tell us more about this?
Partnering with Yoti has been a game-changer for MMS. Their airport-level biometric technology allows us to securely verify the identities of our members, which is crucial for creating a safe environment for our community. This collaboration enhances our credibility and helps us maintain a trustworthy platform where users can feel secure in their search for a partner. Yoti featured MMS in a case study, highlighting our commitment to digital security.
As a digitally innovative company, what technology are you incorporating into the business?
At MMS, we employ standard technologies to create a secure and robust platform for our users. However, our commitment to enhancing user safety and experience is evident through our specific innovations like DynamIQ Guardian™ and ProfileShield™.
DynamIQ Guardian™ enables designated guardians to discreetly monitor ward profiles, matches, and interactions, including chats, notes and calls, providing an additional layer of security.
Meanwhile, ProfileShield™ allows guardians to accept or decline profile share requests, ensuring that connections are made with confidence among Premium and Trusted members. This feature empowers users to have control over their interactions while fostering a safe environment for exploring meaningful relationships.
By integrating these innovations with standard technologies, we create a trustworthy platform for members that prioritizes user safety and empowerment in their matrimonial journeys.
What are some of the testimonials or feedback you have received from users?
Although we’re still in the early stages, our beta testers have given encouraging feedback, praising the platform’s focus on digital security, social impact, and user empowerment. Their testimonials reinforce our mission and motivate us to keep improving our services. We look forward to sharing success stories as we grow.
What do you see as the future of the industry?
The future of the matchmaking industry is undoubtedly digital. As technology continues to evolve, I foresee a shift towards more personalized and data-driven matchmaking services. There will be an increased emphasis on user safety and privacy, and platforms like MMS will need to adapt to meet these demands while maintaining the core values of the community.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the social enterprise space?
Start with a clear vision that addresses community needs and identify where your skills align with social challenges. Conduct thorough research and listen to the affected individuals for valuable insights.
Resilience is key; treat setbacks as growth opportunities. Build a diverse team to enhance creativity and innovation. Stay committed to your values, measuring success by both financial metrics and social impact. Continuously refine your strategy, embrace lifelong learning, and seek mentorship and collaboration along the way.
What are your growth goals for the next 5 years?
In the next five years, we aim to expand our user base significantly while continuing to innovate our services. We plan to introduce a mobile app, new features that cater to the evolving needs of our users and explore untapped international markets to serve Muslims worldwide and offering personalized (assisted) plans for more discerning members and their families. Additionally, we want to strengthen our community initiatives and establish MMS as the trusted name in the Muslim matchmaking sector.
Where can readers find out more about you and MMS?
Readers can find out more about me and MMS by visiting our website at: https://www.muslimmarriage.global
We also have active social media profiles e.g. Facebook and instagram, where we share insights, tips, and resources related to marriage and relationships for the Muslim community.
