Garden will have an attached library with books and treatise on plants
DOHA - The Qatar Foundation unveiled the unique Quranic Garden project yesterday when H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned launched the the Unesco-supported garden by the planting of a Sidra sapling at the Education City.
"This will not be a normal garden gathering different plant species," said Dr Saif Al Hajiri, Vice chairman, Qatar Foundation. "This garden represents a body with a vision of preserving and promoting the appreciation of the nation in a global context by providing unique and world class opportunities for discovering and learning," he said while briefing the media prior to the planting ceremony. From left: Dr Kamal Al Batanouny, Scientific Adviser to the Qatar Foundation, and Dr Saif Al Hajari, Vice Chairman of Qatar Foundation, during the press conference yesterday at Education City. (Shaival Dalal)
"The garden will have a total of 51 plants which are mentioned in Holy Quran and cited by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)," said Prof Dr Kamal El Batanouny, Scientific Adviser-Green Projects, Qatar Foundation. "The unique garden will perform different roles in education, religious ethics, scientific research, plant conservation and sustainable use."
To attain its aim, the garden will have a library attached to it with collection of books and treatise on these plants. Every aspect of the plants from their genetic studies to the traditional uses will be documented. The project will try to explain issue of chlorophyll and its role in life and energy production. It will also provide people with plant parts for growing them. In short the project aims to become the hub of information about these plants through training and workshops. A newsletter covering its news and new science related to the plants will be brought out by the organization.
The botanical garden will have plants which are related to Islam and Arab tradition. For sustenance of some plants mentioned in the Holy Book, which thrive in different types of environment, controlled environment will be introduced.
The design of the garden will respect the major landscaping concepts of Islamic garden cultures. It will be a part of 24 hectares Qatar Foundation land which will accommodate two other floral projects. The core of the Garden will feature an orderly display of plants arranged in four quarters and divided by water canals, with a fountain or water basin at the Centre and will be facing the Islamic College.
The garden will be built in coordination with different socio-religious organizations inside and outside Qatar. In March 2009, a gathering of all the scientists and Islamic scholars will be held to beautify the project.
Unesco Doha, Qatar Foundation (QF) and Maersk Oil had entered into a tripartite partnership to set up the Quranic Garden in April 2007.The "Quranic Botanic Gardens network" project was developed by Unesco Doha office. It has plans to launch similar projects in other places in the Arab region.
By Huda N V
© The Peninsula 2008
