mihrab

The kibla, that is the Kaba of Mekka, and the niche or board indicating the direction of praying in the praying place. Usually it was richly decorated. Its origin is not certain, but a mihrab board (showing the direction of Mekka) had already been placed in the rock cave under the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem during the reign of caliph Abd al-Malik (685-705). The first praying niche was made for the prophet's rebuilt mosque of Medina during the reign of caliph al-Valid (705-715).

GI