Saudi Arabia bans carrying ‘Aab-e-Zamzam’ in luggage   

Jeddah: The Saudi aviation authorities on Wednesday banned pilgrims and passengers—departing from airport— from carrying Aab-e-Zamzam (water of sacred well in Mecca) inside their checked-in luggage.     

The Saudi General Aviation Authority (SGAA) has issued an official notification in this regard, restricting the pilgrims from carrying Zamzam ahead of Dhu al-Hijjah —the holy month for the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. 

As per the circular—signed by Executive Vice President for Economics policies and international cooperation—the GACA has prohibited all commercial airlines and privation aviation to carry any kind of liquids, including Zamzam. 

The circular urge all airlines to comply with the directive with immediate effect. 

All the airlines have been bound to ensure that none of the passengers travelling through Jeddah or any other airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have bottles filled with Aab-e-Zamzam. 

Moreover, strict action will be taken against the airlines in case of violation of the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Earlier, passengers were allowed to take a minimum of 10 litres of Zamzam water per person, but the rule limited the amount to only five litres per passenger.

Aab-e-Zamzam, the water from the well of Zamzam—located in Masjid al-Haram, Makkah — is a miraculously generated source of water as per Islamic history.  

The water has great religious significance and people take it back to their countries in great amount after performing Hajj or Umrah.  

Millions of pilgrims visit the well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah in order to drink its water.