The 6th anniversary of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre was marked with a symposium focused on plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and hadith. Organized by UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) in collaboration with UBD’s Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), the event took place at the Senate Room, Chancellor Hall.
Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education, served as the guest of honour and officially launched the symposium. UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle and other senior officials were also present. Dr Hussein bin Haji Taha, the Director of IBER, emphasized the significant role of UBD BRC in promoting conservation, research, education, and outreach to the broader community in alignment with its mission and vision, contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
The symposium aims to delve deeper into the understanding of plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and hadith from botanical and scientific perspectives while also highlighting the Islamic concept of nature. The launch event featured the inauguration of the Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah zone within the UBD Botanical Research Centre, specifically dedicated to showcasing selected plants referenced in Al-Quran verses and hadith.
The zone provides information on the uses and significance of these plants for visitors, serving as an ex-situ site for the conservation of these plants for research and educational purposes. Currently, IBER researchers are engaged in impactful collaborative projects with international institutions related to these plants. The event also included a plenary session and a sapling planting ceremony at the Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah zone, where the guest of honour planted a pokok bidara (scientifically known as ziziphus), a plant renowned for its ethnomedicinal value.
