The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) hosted a Harvest Season Program at the Islamic Botanical Garden Café recently with the participation of Sharjah Museums (Sharjah Aquarium). With workshops and contests aimed at EPAA staff, visitors and students, the program highlighted plants’ beneficial qualities by educating the target audience about harvest seasons in an innovative way.

HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “We organise and implement a variety of programs through EPAA’s specialised teams and departments; our focus is on boosting environmental awareness and, throughout the year, we target all groups and members of society with events and activities that contribute to the preservation and protection of the environment. We raise public awareness about the importance and status of the environment, and teach people how to participate in our noble mission.”

Mrs Al Suwaidi added, “The Harvest Season Program was in line with our agenda, and the employees at the Islamic Botanical Garden and our partners helped to make it a success.”

Mrs Al Suwaidi thanked the participants, who expressed their admiration and appreciation for EPAA’s efforts.

As part of the Harvest Season Program, the Islamic Botanical Garden’s female employees led various activities including a ‘Discover A Piece of Information’ box, a presentation on the benefits of onions, wheat and lentils, workshops about wheat, planting onions at home and environmental education, and contests for students.  Sharjah Aquarium presented a play with puppets and an educational play.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Islamic Botanical Garden at Desert Park in 2014; Sharjah was named a Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014, and the Garden was one of several projects implemented in celebration. The first of its kind in the region, the Islamic Botanical Garden features plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, connecting Islam to environmental preservation and introducing non-Muslims to the Islamic perspective on other living entities.