Prayer rugs are important textiles in the Islamic world. They enable Muslims to create a sacred space in which to pray the required five times daily. The curved, roof-like portion of the rug’s embroidered design is meant to resemble a mihrab, the sacred niche in a mosque that faces Mecca. Acting like a portable mosque, the prayer rug can always be pointed in the direction of that holy city, no matter the worshipper’s actual location.