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The Qur'anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has collaborated with Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Herfah Programme to develop the first Dye Plants Garden at the historic Al Khater house in Education City.Herfah is Arabic for craft.This initiative bridges traditional expertise and modern scientific knowledge, reflecting joint efforts to preserve traditional practices and revive plants that have been historically used for producing natural dyes.This collaboration marks a milestone in strengthening the QBG's role in supporting national initiatives aimed at safeguarding Qatar's botanical and local heritage products as well as traditional craft.The QBG designed and curated the garden by selecting suitable plant species, supervised by the Herfah Programme, which cultivated and documented the dye-related uses of each plant.The selected plants included a diverse range of dye-producing species, notably marigold (Mexican hibiscus), introduced to Qatar for the first time by the Garden and known for its unique purple dye properties.Additionally, the project featured henna, boxthorn, castor as well as vegetables with natural pigments including beetroot, mustard, eggplant, indigo, and purslane."Our collaboration with the Herfah Programme at Al Khater house reflects the QBG's commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives that bring together heritage and scientific knowledge,” said QBG director Fatima Saleh M al-Khulaifi.“The Dye Plants Garden is more than a new green space; it is an educational and cultural platform that revives centuries-old practices,” she said. “We hope that this garden will raise community awareness of the importance of plants and highlight their cultural and environmental value, aligning with the QF's mission to promote sustainability and preserve heritage."QBG experts identified and documented dye plants based on their adaptability to the climatic conditions of Qatar and the region, as well as within the Bait Al Khater environment.An integrated garden design was developed, encompassing planting, irrigation, and an interpretive display to introduce visitors to the natural pigments produced by these plants and their traditional uses.This demonstrates a new model for environmental education and fostering community connections with Qatar's heritage.The QBG aims to serve as a global centre for sharing knowledge, education, and research related to plant resources, fostering intercultural dialogues, promoting environmental responsibility, and integrating plant conservation with modern scientific methods.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance Qatar’s vegetation cover and preserve native plant species, the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, has distributed 5,000 native trees and wild plants over the past two months.The distributed species included sidr, samar, ghaf, qarat, awsaj, neem, and frankincense trees, which are propagated in QBG’s nurseries using advanced scientific techniques. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was one of the main beneficiaries of the programme, as collaboration between the two entities continues to flourish in restoring Qatar’s rangelands and supporting national afforestation programmes. Additionally, Mazzraty Company received several trees to plant in production areas to strengthen biodiversity. Schools, municipalities, and national institutions also benefited from the project.This initiative is part of QBG’s broader campaign to plant and distribute 2.5mn trees over the current decade, in collaboration with Qatar Red Crescent Society. It also reflects the state’s commitment to planting 10mn trees, translating this pledge into tangible action in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment.Fatima Saleh M al-Khulaifi, director, QBG, said: “Protecting the environment is not only an institutional responsibility, but also a commitment individuals and communities must uphold. The distribution of these trees is a practical call to action for everyone to take part in reviving Qatar’s natural landscapes and preserving its environmental heritage for future generations.”“Through its nurseries and scientific and community-based programmes, the QBG continues to expand the propagation of wild and domesticated plants in Qatar to ensure the sustainability of the local vegetation cover and provide a constant source of trees and plants for greening and rehabilitation projects.”“Meanwhile, QBG remains steadfast in its mission to expand Qatar’s green cover and raise environmental awareness, guided by Qur’anic values,” she added.