GARDEN OASIS CREATED FROM WASTELAND

8th July 2005

The Principal of Dundee’s Al-Maktoum Institute has condemned those who carried out the bombings which took place in London this week.



He made his remarks while opening a new Al-Maktoum multicultural garden at the Fun Factory Out of School Club, which has been sponsored by the Institute. The club is attached to Park Place Primary school in Dundee.



Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi was accompanied by 50 female students from the United Arab Emirates attending a summer school at the Institute in Blackness Road, Dundee on leadership and multiculturalism.



Speaking as he carried out the official opening Professor El-Awaisi said : “In the last five years the world has witnessed a new form of the global phenomena of fundamentalism and extremism.



“We condemn the horrific and indiscriminate attacks that took place in London. British Arabs and Muslims were among the intended victims of this attack.The total disregard for innocent life shown by the bombers is to be deplored and strikes against the heart of all people.



“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who have died and with those who are injured.”



The idea to create a garden space out of waste ground came from Valerie Lynch, the coordinator of the Fun Factory.



She said:”Park Place Primary is surrounded by concrete and I thought it would be a nice idea to create a friendly and welcoming space that would reflect outside the school what is happening inside.



“Looking for funds I wrote to Professor El-Awaisi and after meeting with him and explaining what I wanted to do he generously agreed to provide financial backing.”



Work on creating the garden started a year ago with Val, her staff, husband John and the kids attending the Fun Factory doing the work themselves.



They had one major setback when vandals attacked the site causing £600 of damage but again the Al-Maktoum Institute came to the rescue.



Valerie said:” When I saw the damage I was in tears and that point had almost decided to give up. I got in touch with Professor El-Awaisi to tell him what had happened. He encouraged me to continue and provided further funding to keep things going.”



The Fun Factory now has not one but three separate garden spaces including a fruit and vegetable area, a seating and performance area and a flower garden.



Professor El-Awaisi said: “ I’m delighted to have been asked to open the Al-Maktoum multicultural garden. The Fun Factory and Park Place Primary School cater for a large number of children from Dundee’s ethnic communities and do a marvellous job of encouraging integration and multiculturalism. I’m sure the garden will become a focus of much activity and I look forward to tasting some of the fruit they are growing there.”