The Qatar Foundation (QF) is setting up a Qur’anic Botanic Garden, the first of its kind in the world. All set to bloom in Doha, it will have all the plant species mentioned in the Qur’an, and those in the Hadith and Sunnah (Sayings and traditions of Muhammad). The Garden will exhibit the botanical terms mentioned in the Qur’an, explaining the significance of their mention in the Qur’an, as well as the scientific explanations of composition, application and usefulness to man.
Overview
editThe Garden will inspire an appreciation of nature by encouraging respect and responsibility for our environment. The Qur’anic Botanic Garden is an educational tool teaching the respect of tradition, nature, science and demonstrating the connections between Muslims and non-Muslims and their environment.
The concept of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden comes from a region-wide UNESCO initiative. The oil company, Maersk, funded the initial phase. (1)
On 17 September 2008 Moza bint Nasser, chair of Qatar Foundation, inaugurated the Garden. To mark the event she planted the Garden’s very first tree, the Sidra (Ziziphusspina-christi Willd, Sidr), which is also the symbol of the Foundation.
The garden will exhibit 54 plant species from all over the world, belonging to three different types of habitats: desert, Mediterranean and tropical. Date palm, olive, fig, citron, senna, ginger, aloe, camphor and other plants will be represented. There will be a beautiful harmony between the plants and the design of the garden. It will reflect Islamic architecture and art.
The Garden will support a very important Islamic vision and Allah’s instructions, to value Him and the world and all creatures he created. This is fundamental to the worship of Allah.
Plants
editAnnuals
editCultivated annual plants
editWithout bulbs
editS.No | Scientific Name | H/Q | Habit | Arabic Name | Arabic Name (Transliterated) | English Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brassica nigra | H,Q | Annual | الخردل | Khardal | Mustard |
2 | Carthamustinctorius | H | Annual | العصفر | Osfor | Safflower |
3 | Cuminumcyminum | H | Annual | الكمون - السنوت | Sannoot, Kamoon | Cumin |
4 | Hordiumvulgare | H | Annual | الشَعير | Shaear | Barley |
5 | Lens culinaris | Q | Annual | العدس | Adas | Lentil |
6 | Nigella sativa | H | Annual | الحبة السوداء | Al-Habah,Al-Sowdaa | Black cumin |
7 | Oryza sativa | H | Annual | الأَرُز | Orz | Rice |
8 | Sesamumindicum | H | Annual | السمسم | Semsem | Sesame |
9 | Triticumvulgre | H | Annual | القمح – الحنطة- البُر | Al-Hentah, Kamh- Bur | Wheat |
Bulbous plants
editS.No | Scientific Name | H/Q | Habit | Arabic Name | Arabic Name (Transliterated) | English Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Allium cepa | H,Q | Annual, bulb | بصل | Basal | Onion |
2 | Allium porrum | H | Annual, bulb | الكُراث | Korat | Leek |
3 | Allium sativum | H,Q | Annual, bulb | الثوم - الفوم | Fum | Garlic |