Doha: The Qur'anic Botanic Garden (QBG), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, has teamed up with Qatar Foundation's Herfah Program to unveil the first Dye Plants Garden located at the historic Al Khater house in Education City. This pioneering project aims to merge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary scientific approaches, focusing on the preservation and revival of plants historically used for natural dye production.
According to Qatar News Agency, this collaboration signifies a significant step in reinforcing QBG's mission to support national efforts in conserving Qatar's botanical and cultural heritage, while also promoting traditional crafts. The garden, curated and designed by QBG, features a selection of plants chosen for their dye-producing capabilities, under the guidance of the Herfah Program, which also documented the dye-related applications of these plants.
Among the selected species is the marigold, also known as Mexican hibiscus, which was introduced to Qatar for the first time by QBG and is renowned for its distinctive purple dye. Other plants incorporated into the garden include henna, boxthorn, castor, as well as vegetables like beetroot, mustard, eggplant, indigo, and purslane, all known for their natural pigments.
Director of QBG, Fatima Saleh M. Al Khulaifi, expressed that this initiative with the Herfah Program at Al Khater house underscores QBG's dedication to sustainability efforts that blend heritage with scientific knowledge. She emphasized that the Dye Plants Garden serves as an educational and cultural hub, reviving age-old practices and raising community awareness about the significance of plants, their cultural, and environmental values, in line with Qatar Foundation's sustainability and heritage preservation goals.
QBG experts meticulously selected and documented the dye plants based on their suitability to Qatar's climate and the specific environment of Bait Al Khater. The integrated garden design includes planting, irrigation, and interpretive displays to educate visitors about the natural pigments these plants produce and their traditional applications, setting a new standard for environmental education and community engagement with Qatar's heritage.
The Qur'anic Botanic Garden aspires to be an international center for knowledge sharing, education, and research on plant resources, encouraging intercultural dialogues, promoting environmental stewardship, and combining plant conservation with modern science.