Birmingham Mosque Architecture Expo – Inside 160 Mosques

Ever wondered about the stunning architecture hidden in plain sight in Birmingham? This city, a powerhouse of industry and a melting pot of cultures, boasts a breathtaking collection of mosques – a true architectural treasure. From the awe-inspiring grandeur of purpose-built centers of worship to the clever repurposing of existing buildings, Birmingham’s mosques tell a story of faith, resilience, and community. And now, “What Did You Want to See?” a powerful new exhibition at the Ikon Gallery (March 20 – June 1, 2025), is offering a unique glimpse into this rich heritage. Commissioned by Ikon and Photoworks and curated by British artist Mahtab Hussain, this exhibition explores the fascinating world of Birmingham Mosque Architecture, meticulously documenting the city’s 160 mosques and their place within the urban landscape.

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160 Mosques: A Tapestry of Architectural Styles

Birmingham’s mosques are far from being monolithic structures; they represent a striking diversity of architectural styles, each reflecting the city’s multifaceted, multicultural fabric and the evolving spiritual and communal needs of its Muslim population. The exhibition’s centerpiece, a monumental photographic installation, embarks on the ambitious task of systematically documenting all 160 mosques scattered across Birmingham. This extensive project illuminates the remarkable variety inherent in Birmingham Mosque Architecture, spanning the spectrum from traditional Islamic designs featuring iconic domes and soaring minarets, exemplified by the prominent Birmingham Central Mosque, to the resourceful and often ingenious adaptations of pre-existing buildings, including converted terraced houses and repurposed churches.

This comprehensive visual record provides an unparalleled overview of the city’s rich and varied mosque architecture, revealing the ingenuity, adaptability, and unwavering dedication of the Muslim community in creating sacred spaces for worship, community gatherings, and spiritual reflection. It serves as a powerful reminder that Birmingham Mosque Architecture is not merely about bricks and mortar; it’s about the people who bring these spaces to life, the stories they embody, and the profound sense of belonging they foster. “What Did You Want to See?” transcends the purely descriptive act of cataloging Birmingham Mosque Architecture. It delves deeper, seeking to understand and give voice to the human stories that resonate within these sacred spaces. Complementing the architectural photography, the exhibition features a series of powerful black-and-white portraits of Birmingham residents captured in 2024.

These portraits depict members of the city’s diverse Muslim community in a range of everyday settings, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives, experiences, and the integral role their faith plays in their identities. By thoughtfully juxtaposing the objective architectural studies with these deeply personal and intimate portraits, Hussain creates a compelling dialogue between the tangible built environment and the individuals who inhabit and shape it, underscoring the vital and multifaceted role that mosques play in the lives of Birmingham’s Muslims. The exhibition powerfully demonstrates that Birmingham Mosque Architecture is not simply about the physical structures themselves; it’s about the vibrant, dynamic, and interconnected community they serve, nurture, and sustain.

Navigating the Urban Landscape – Faith and the Identity in Birmingham

The exhibition also delves into the complex and often nuanced relationship between Birmingham’s mosques and the broader urban landscape that surrounds them. It examines how these sacred spaces interact with the city’s fabric, becoming not only places of worship but also important focal points for community identity, social cohesion, and the ongoing search for belonging. The exhibition incorporates thought-provoking elements that directly engage with Birmingham’s urban environment, including subtle yet significant references to graffiti-style postcode tagging, which, particularly among younger generations, serves as a powerful and visible marker of community identity, territoriality and belonging within the larger urban context.

These urban interventions highlight the myriad ways in which Birmingham Mosque Architecture is intricately interwoven with the city’s social and cultural landscape, shaping and being shaped by the lives of its residents. A crucial and timely element of “What Did You Want to See?” is its insightful exploration of surveillance culture and its impact on community relations. The exhibition incorporates an interactive element designed to evoke the often-uneasy experience of being observed, prompting visitors to critically consider the far-reaching implications of surveillance in contemporary society, particularly in the context of religious and ethnic minorities. This theme is particularly relevant and sensitive in the context of Birmingham Mosque Architecture, as mosques, unfortunately, have often been subjected to heightened scrutiny, intrusive surveillance, and unwarranted suspicion.

The exhibition also references Project Champion, a highly controversial 2011 surveillance initiative that disproportionately targeted Muslim communities in Birmingham, raising critical and uncomfortable questions about representation, privacy, civil liberties, and the detrimental impact of surveillance on community trust and social cohesion. By courageously addressing these complex and often-fraught issues, the exhibition encourages critical reflection on how Birmingham Mosque Architecture and the Muslim community are perceived, represented, and often misjudged by wider society.

Engaging with Birmingham’s Rich and Diverse Architectural Heritage

“What Did You Want to See?” is far more than just a static exhibition; it’s a dynamic invitation to engage in a meaningful dialogue about Birmingham’s rich and diverse architectural heritage, its multifaceted communities, and the complex array of social and political issues that shape urban life in the 21st century. The exhibition encourages visitors to look beyond the often-simplistic surface of Birmingham Mosque Architecture and to thoughtfully consider the deeper meanings, historical context, and cultural significance embedded within these sacred and community-focused spaces. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history, traditions, and cultural contributions of Birmingham’s Muslim community, to appreciate the architectural diversity of its mosques, and to reflect on the ongoing challenges and exciting opportunities facing the city as it continues to grow and evolve.

Birmingham’s mosques are not simply places of worship; they are vibrant and essential centers of community life, providing a safe and welcoming space for prayer, religious education, social gatherings, and a wide range of cultural events. They serve as a vital resource for the Muslim community, fostering a strong sense of belonging, connection, and shared identity. The exhibition highlights the remarkable resilience and resourcefulness of Birmingham’s Muslims in establishing, maintaining, and expanding these sacred spaces, often in the face of significant social and economic challenges. The story of Birmingham Mosque Architecture is, at its heart, a powerful and inspiring story of community, unwavering faith, and the ongoing and often challenging process of building and belonging in a modern, multicultural city.

The Artist’s Perspective: Mahtab Hussain’s Vision and Artistic Expression

Mahtab Hussain’s work is characterized by its insightful exploration of themes of identity, representation, and belonging, often focusing on the lived experiences of Muslim communities in Britain. “What Did You Want to See?” reflects his ongoing and deeply personal interest in the complex and multifaceted relationship between architecture, urban space, and community identity. Through his powerful photographs, thought-provoking installations, and carefully curated narratives, Hussain invites viewers to consider the myriad ways in which Birmingham Mosque Architecture shapes and is, in turn, shaped by the lives of the people who use and cherish these spaces.

His work offers a nuanced, sensitive, and thought-provoking perspective on the complex and often-fraught interplay between faith, culture, urban life, and the ever-present gaze of societal observation. “What Did You Want to See?” serves as an important and timely starting point for a deeper and more personal exploration of Birmingham Mosque Architecture. Visitors are strongly encouraged to venture beyond the exhibition walls and explore the city’s mosques firsthand, to engage with their rich history, and to learn about their profound significance to the local community. Many of Birmingham’s mosques offer guided tours and warmly welcome visitors from all backgrounds and faiths, providing a unique and valuable opportunity to learn more about the Islamic faith, culture, traditions, and community life.

The Power of Representation: Challenging Stereotypes

The exhibition’s central focus on representation is particularly important and timely in a society where Muslim communities are often subject to misrepresentation, negative stereotyping, and often unfair scrutiny. “What Did You Want to See?” offers a vital and much-needed counter-narrative, presenting a more nuanced, complex, and authentic picture of Birmingham Mosque Architecture and the diverse Muslim community it serves. By showcasing the remarkable diversity of architectural styles, the rich tapestry of human stories behind these sacred spaces, and the deep sense of community they foster, the exhibition effectively challenges harmful stereotypes and promotes greater understanding, empathy, and appreciation of Islamic culture and its contributions to the rich fabric of British society.

“What Did You Want to See?” also serves as a crucial platform for a broader and more inclusive conversation about urban space, community development, and the evolving role that mosques play in shaping the future of Birmingham. As the city continues to grow, diversify, and evolve, its mosques will undoubtedly continue to serve as vital centers of community life, providing essential spaces for prayer, reflection, religious education, social connection, and cultural exchange. The exhibition encourages open and honest dialogue about the importance of preserving, celebrating, and supporting Birmingham Mosque Architecture as an integral and invaluable part of the city’s rich and multifaceted cultural heritage, ensuring that these sacred spaces continue to serve and enrich the lives of future generations.