A new exhibition in Birmingham aims to showcase the city’s diverse mosques and vibrant Muslim community. What Did You Want To See?, created by Birmingham artist Mahtab Hussain, will be displayed at the Ikon Gallery from 20 March to 1 June.

The exhibition features Hussain’s documentation of 160 mosques, portraits of local residents, and an immersive communal space. "Through my work, I strive to reflect the richness and resilience of Muslim communities, celebrating their individuality while challenging stereotypes," Hussain said. "Each portrait and installation tells a story, offering an invitation to connect and a reminder of the beauty in our shared humanity."

The photographs of the mosques, taken in the summers of 2023 and 2024, will be shown in a 16 x 10 grid. The collection reveals the diversity of mosque architecture, from the iconic domes and minarets of Birmingham's Central Mosque to the arts & crafts-inspired architectural  designs of historic buildings.

The portraits of Birmingham’s Muslim residents highlight the community’s diversity. The installations will form a communal space within the gallery in Brindleyplace.

Visitors can also experience a carpeted room featuring a video of five prayer sequences, which they can join or observe. Another installation, An Act of Civil Declaration, confronts harmful stereotypes faced by the Muslim community. Two additional videos celebrate the Muslim experience in Britain, highlighting community activities, sports, and social gatherings, while reflecting on Hussain's personal experiences growing up in Birmingham.