Ghiordes Pattern Prayer Rug

Both an ornamental piece of fabric and a symbol of tangible faith, the Ghiordes Pattern Prayer Rug is intricately woven by hands whose names we will never know, yet whose reach stretches to the present day. Dated to the late 19th to early 20th century, the prayer rug is in SAM’s collection. A field of flowers—infused with the history of ancient Gordion—buzzes in abundance around a central portal in the shape of a mihrab, also known as a prayer niche.

The intensity of the mihrab draws you in, blurring the flowers into the peripheral and directing your focus to the single lamp hanging in the distance. The lamp is the only illumination in the dark, serving as a beacon of hope. The pattern of wear at the bottom of the rug reveals a story of usage, multiple times a day, in prayer. 

I like to imagine who might have used this rug. Whose feet stood at the bottom, day after day, in public and private, in times of joy and strife. Whose head kissed the rug in prostration, their innermost thoughts and prayers whispered in a secret shared only with their Creator. Whose faith in the greater good is marked in the wears and tears of this rug, despite all the hardships of fragile life. From ancient Gordion to present-day Seattle, I am connected to the humanity of all those who prayed.

Read More: Object of the Week: Oiling

Eid Al-Fitr, meaning “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the celebratory end of the holy month of Ramadan. After fasting from dawn to dusk for those who are able, it is a time for reflection, gratitude, and community. However, the true essence of Eid lies not in mere festivity but in the reaffirmation of our commitment to stand with the oppressed, speak truth to power, and extend mercy and solidarity. 

Our prayers and efforts are a testament to our commitment to something greater than our consumption, desires, and distractions. It is a journey to look inward and recognize the humanity that we all share. Eid is a time when the community gathers in congregations, donates food and charity to those in need, and cultivates the power of the collective conscience toward the general welfare. 

This year especially, I am reminded of the importance of standing up for communities facing injustice, both across the globe and within our own country. As we stand in prayer this Eid, let our hearts be filled not only with gratitude but with the commitment to uphold justice wherever it is denied.

– Raziah Ahmad, Curatorial Division Coordinator

Image credits: Ghiordes pattern prayer rug, late 19th-early 20th century, Islamic, Anatolia, Ghiordes (modern western Turkiye), Pile-woven wool, 73 1/4 x 55 in. (186.06 x 139.7 cm), Seattle Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Breck P. MacAllister in memory of her mother, Mrs. William C. Heussy, 62.169. Oiling, 2012, Faig Ahmed, hand-knotted wool, 59 × 39 1/2 in., Margaret E. Fuller Purchase Fund, 2013.13 © Faig Ahmed