The Qur’anic Botanic Garden in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities for Islamic Environmentalism

Abstract

Abstract Islamic environmentalism has increased within the last several decades in the Muslim world and in Muslim-minority countries. The Arab Gulf is one of the regions in which environmentalism – let alone Islamic environmentalism – has been greatly understudied. This paper aims to partially fill this gap by exploring the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) in Qatar as an illustrative – albeit imperfect – example of Islamic environmentalism, combining environmental aspirations of many modern botanic gardens with religious and cultural aims. After briefly introducing Islamic environmentalism and the significance of environmentalism in the Arab Gulf region, I draw on field research conducted in Qatar to elucidate how the QBG utilizes Islamic scripture, beliefs, and values to articulate its vision and objectives. This paper also examines how QBG leaders’ religious and cultural views influence environmental advocacy within the QBG and beyond. Finally, this research critically explores the QBG’s potential impact on socio-environmental realities in Qatar. While the QBG may succeed in making intellectual advancements and promoting religious and ecological values, this paper posits that such a state-sponsored institution’s inability to politicize ecological degradation demonstrates the difficulty of reforming development models to achieve more socially just and sustainable ends. I conclude that the broader potential of Islamic environmentalism lies in its ability to unite Muslims and people in the Arab Gulf region behind a shared socio-environmental vision. Its efficacy also comes from mobilizing people to advocate alternative development models prioritizing the integrity of all people and honouring planetary boundaries over economic growth or political gain.