21 hours ago
UAE: 2 emirates ban shops from selling Zamzam water
Ajman Municipality has announced that it is prohibited for commercial establishments to distribute, display, or sell Zamzam water. Authorities urged the public to avoid purchasing it from stores.
Violations can be reported on the number: 80070. The move comes after Sharjah earlier announced that shops are banned from selling Zamzam water.
The Sharjah municipality may also carry out surprise inspections to detect fraud, especially in the case of Zamzam, which is difficult to differentiate from normal water.
What is Zamzam water?
Zamzam water comes from Zamzam well, located in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, near the Kaaba.
Muslims regard Zamzam water as both sustenance and a healing remedy for ailments. Over time, the Zamzam well has become a destination for Muslims all over the world performing Hajj and Umrah.
How to get it?
Pilgrims can get Zamzam water from approved distribution points in Saudi Arabia. These are as follows:
Zamzam Water Supply Project - Makkah
King Abdulaziz International Airport - Jeddah
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport - Madinah
Taif International Airport
Nusuk Platform (online portal) for Hajj Campaigns
The pilgrim can then ship the Zamzam water to their home country. It is essential to place Zamzam bottles only in designated shipping boxes, separate from personal luggage. Pilgrims must also take care to ensure that the bottle is sealed, specifically designed for air shipping.
Each departing pilgrim is allowed one bottle with shipping free of charge. A maximum of 5 litres is permitted.
Pilgrims must present a valid Umrah visa or a permit via the Nusuk app, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Man caught selling fake Zamzam water in UAE
Last month, Sharjah authorities caught a man selling ordinary tank water as Zamzam water. They conducted a raid on a house, during which they saw that the man had converted the residential property into an illegal water bottling facility.
They seized cartons and plastic bottles labelled as Zamzam water, which were being filled under unhygienic conditions and promoted through social media. The water was being sold at a premium price.
