Prayer rugs are generally asymmetrical rugs without medallions. Prayer rugs often times seem to be directional, so that there is no question which part of the rug should be facing Mecca.

a prayer rug is used when praying!

The Story of a Prayer Rug - 1911 was released on:

USA: 23 February 1911

There is no such thing as an Islamic Prayer Shawl; Jews use prayer shawls (talitot), not Muslims. As for an Islamic Prayer Rug, those tend to be very personal, so if you wish to buy a rug for your Muslim friend, you should buy it with him/her instead of surprising him/her.