Visitors are seen crossing the lake at Dubai's Quranic Park in Dubai, UAE April 6, 2019. Picture taken April 6, 2019. REUTERS/Satish Kumar

In pictures: Dubai's Quranic Park uses landscaping to tell stories of Islam to visitors

The park features 12 gardens, a Cave of Miracles, and a split lake symbolising Prophet Musa's parting of the Red Sea.
Published April 9, 2019

A new park that uses gardens and landscaping to tell stories from Islam's holy text has opened in Dubai, offering locals and tourists a day out with a religious twist.

Quranic Park attracted some 100,000 people in its first week, officials say, feeding demand for religious attractions in the United Arab Emirates where Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a top destination for visitors.

Visitors are pictured outside Dubai's Quranic Park on April 6. — Reuters
Visitors are pictured outside Dubai's Quranic Park on April 6. — Reuters

The educational park, which seeks to attract Muslims and non-Muslims alike, features 12 gardens, a Cave of Miracles, and a split lake symbolising Prophet Musa's parting of the Red Sea.

Trees bearing grapes, figs, pomegranates, and olives dot the park's 64 hectares, highlighting the medical and scientific uses of plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

A variety of trees have been included in the landscape to educate tourists of their many advantages. — Reuters
A variety of trees have been included in the landscape to educate tourists of their many advantages. — Reuters

“My children had learned about these plants, and they had some questions about the Quran and the miracles,” said Emirati visitor Omar al-Kaabi.

“Praise God we got some answers,” he said, standing inside the greenhouse that holds some of the plants.

Visitors are seen inside The Glass House, at Dubai's Quranic Park. — Reuters
Visitors are seen inside The Glass House, at Dubai's Quranic Park. — Reuters

Visitors to the cave can learn about the story of Prophet Isa making a bird from clay and six other prophetic miracles mentioned in the Quran, using 3D map and hologram displays.

“It's a nice idea, right at the heart of our Islamic religion,” said Anan al-Hourani, another visitor who brought his daughters to the park on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

“At the same time, it's recreational, with the lovely gardens, greenery, and trees,” he said.

A tourist is seen exploring the Cave of Miracles, part of Dubai's Quranic Park. — Reuters
A tourist is seen exploring the Cave of Miracles, part of Dubai's Quranic Park. — Reuters

More visitors are pictured taking a tour of the Cave of Miracles. — Reuters
More visitors are pictured taking a tour of the Cave of Miracles. — Reuters

The Cave of Miracles pictured from the outside. — Reuters
The Cave of Miracles pictured from the outside. — Reuters


Header image: Vistors to Dubai's Quranic Park seen crossing the lake symbolising the parting of the Red Sea. — Reuters