Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC) celebrated its 6th anniversary with a symposium on plants mentioned in Al-Quran and hadith.
The event, organised by the UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) in collaboration with the UBD’s Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), was held at the university’s Senate Room, Chancellor Hall.
Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad was the guest of honour, who launched the symposium.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle and senior officials were also in attendance.
IBER Director Dr Hussein bin Haji Taha, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted the UBD BRC as playing a key role in promoting conservation, research, education and outreach to the wider community in line with its mission and vision and contribute towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
One of the objectives of the symposium is to further explore the understanding of plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and hadith in botanical and scientific aspects and also to highlight the concept of nature in Islam.
The launching event also included a launching of the Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah zone in the UBD Botanical Research Centre, dedicated to the display of selected plants that have been mentioned in verses of Al-Quran and also narrated in hadith with information on their uses and importance for the visitors to the garden.
The section will also function as an ex-situ site for the conservation of these plants for research and educational purposes. Currently, researchers at IBER are working on high impact collaborative projects with international institutions related to these plants.
The event also saw a plenary session and a sapling planting ceremony at the Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah zone where the guest of honour planted pokok bidara (scientifically known as ziziphus). The plant is also known for its ethnomedicinal value.
Seminar presentations by speakers from IBER and SOASCIS were also held.
