Over a thousand people from across the Muslim community in Birmingham have been involved in the creation of a piece of spiritual artwork for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

The unique spiritual artefact – a mihrab, is embedded with over 1,000 mosaic tiles, with each tile representing one individual making a du’a (a prayer) before painting it.

A mihrab is usually a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of the Ka’aba in Makkah, the holiest city in Islam - and the direction that Muslims face when praying.

All generations from across the Muslim community took part in the event held at the hospital’s Learning Hub, as well as in the community at mosques, madrasa’s, and seniors’ day centres; bringing all sections of the Muslim community together in the creation of the artefact.

After the ceramic tiles were painted they were taken to be fired and set in a specially created 7ft solid oak frame.

The mihrab was unveiled on Wednesday 3 June, by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray Hassall, as well as leading individuals and families from the Muslim community and others who also took part in the mihrab’s creation, at a ceremony at QEHB.

The project has been the brainchild of QEHB’s Muslim Chaplain, Rehanah Sadiq who sought donations to create the free-standing mihrab over three years ago to create the essential focal point for the Muslim prayer room in the hospitals purpose built faith and community centre.

Ms Sadiq said: “The uniqueness of this mihrab is that each tile is a representation of an individual’s sincere and heartfelt du’a, a spiritual act of prayerfulness.

“The visual impact of the unity of so many peoples’ prayers reflected in the mosaic pattern of the tiles is both powerful and moving to the visitor, knowing that these prayers were made for them as well as for patients, relatives and staff of the hospital.

“Being a part of the creation of this mihrab is personally meaningful to so many people and appreciation has been expressed in a book full of the signatures of those who painted a tile.

“I was inspired by the altar found in many chapels, with its focal position in the room. It made sense to have a mihrab which indicates the directional focus for prayer, and a great opportunity to create a beautiful piece of artwork with spiritual significance.”

QEHB celebrates its diversity and the way in which people of different faiths work together to deliver excellent care.

Rev Richard Wharton, Chaplaincy Team Leader at QEHB, said: “The installation of the mihrab is significant because it highlights the recognition by the Trust that the honouring of different peoples’ spiritual and religious traditions is fundamental to developing person-centred care and clinical excellence.”

He added: “The opportunity to find expression for this through the commissioning of this piece of spiritual art is very exciting and one, I hope, that brings peace and comfort to different people at such momentous occasions in their lives.”

An exhibition which shows the creation of the mihrab from drawing board, to installation is open to all in the Education Centre, Level 1, QEHB.