Al-Arabi Club Students Visit QBG Conservation Center

Doha, August 17, 2023 - As part of efforts to guide younger generations towards understanding the importance of environmental conservation, students of Al-Arabi Sports Club's Summer Program paid a special visit to the Conservation Center of Plant Resources of the Qur'anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).

The QBG team kicked off the visit by delivering an engaging presentation detailing plants referenced in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet to the students. Meriem Saidi, Herbarium Specialist, highlighted the significance and various uses of these plants, including olives, figs, and colocynth. Saidi also emphasized their vital roles in the natural ecosystem and human society, underlining the importance of preserving plant diversity and maintaining ecological balance.

Following the presentation, the students set out on a tour exploring the center's facilities, including the Seed Bank, which houses a wide range of plant seeds at risk of extinction, totaling over 3 million. Saidi elaborated on the importance of collecting and conserving these seeds as a means to actively contribute to biodiversity and plant heritage protection.

The students then had the chance to visit the laboratory, where they gained insight into the cutting-edge technologies employed in the field of botany. They also familiarized themselves with the processes involved in conducting research and experiments aimed at enhancing plant cultivation practices and promoting sustainable development.

From there, the students wandered through the herbarium and nursery, where they observed a diverse array of carefully grown and preserved plants. This exposure equipped them with an understanding of the important roles these green spaces play in improving air quality and providing a healthy environment for both humans and wildlife.

The students were grateful and delighted by the informative and enjoyable experience and emphasized the significance of such visits in broadening their environmental understanding and promoting the importance of safeguarding plants and preserving biodiversity. They expressed their eagerness to share the knowledge they gained during the visit with their peers and families, contributing to a greater environmental consciousness within their community.

As the visit came to an end, the QBG Conservation Center of Plant Resources staff extended their gratitude to the students and everyone involved in organizing this important visit, which was aimed at cultivating notions of environmental conservation among younger generations and those to come.

For more details about QBG activities and upcoming events, you can visit QBG social media pages on Instagram (@quranicgarden), Facebook (@quranicgarden.qa), and Twitter (@QuranicGarden), as well as the YouTube channel "Qur'anic Botanic Garden".