“Gardens of Al-Andalus” in Doha

The exhibition “Gardens of Al-Andalus” arrives to Doha, brought by the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, member of Qatar Foundation, under the patronage of HE Sheika Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, after having successfully visited many cities of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

‘Gardens of Al-Andalus’, shows a civilisation that is respectful of nature. According to the Quran, it is nature that provides the answers to the new environmental challenges to be faced by our future generations.

Created by the Islamic Culture Foundation (FUNCI) of Madrid, under the direction of Funci’s President Dr Cherif Abderrahman Jah, this exhibition is part of the programme “Med-O-Med, cultural landscapes in the Mediterranean and the Middle East”, set up by the Foundation with the aim of joining forces for environmental research, education and conservation, as well as for recovering the scientific and conservationist spirit that is inherent to the Islamic civilisation. The Quranic Botanic Garden is part of the Med-O-Med network of botanic gardens.

According to Dr Abderrahman Jah: “In this exhibition, Al-Andalus speaks of its own history and splendour through its gardens, these being open, multicultural spaces in which the scientific influences and the landscapes of East and West came together over the centuries. This is why we have chosen the Hispanic-Arabic garden as a symbol of a coming-together and of dialogue amongst peoples. This civilisation contains the keys to a balanced development of societies, in the human as well as the scientific, political and economic spheres.

‘Gardens of Al-Andalus’, shows a civilisation that is respectful of nature. According to the Quran, it is nature that provides the answers to the new environmental challenges to be faced by our future generations.”

The exhibition, which has been completely renovated for the occasion, opened last April 15th, 2018. To the opening attended many different personalities from the academic and diplomatic fields, among them, Dr. Hamad al Kawari, candidate for UNESCO’s chair, and Mr. Ignacio Escobar, Ambassador of Spain in Doha.

It will remain in the College of Islamic Sciences at Education City until May 31st. Since its opening, the exhibition has had a very warm reception by the Qatari public. In fact, the project aims at reaching the general public, especially young people, in order to invite them to reflect and discover the value of their own culture, history and natural heritage.

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