After Sharjah, Ajman bans Zamzam water sales in markets
Surprise inspections planned to identify unauthorised sales
DUBAI: Ajman Municipality has officially banned the distribution, display, and sale of Zamzam water by commercial establishments, warning residents to refrain from purchasing the holy water from stores.
The announcement mirrors an earlier directive by Sharjah, which had imposed a similar ban to combat fraud and protect public health.
Violations in Ajman can be reported via the hotline 80070, with authorities stressing that Zamzam water should only be sourced through legitimate means. The initiative aims to stop unregulated trade and prevent the misuse of a religiously significant product, particularly in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha.
Fake Zamzam factory raided
The bans follow a serious case in Sharjah, where a man was caught operating an illegal bottling unit from his residence. Authorities raided the location after observing suspicious vehicle movement and discovered large volumes of regular tank water being sold as Zamzam.
Plastic bottles and cartons, falsely labelled as Zamzam water, were being filled under unhygienic conditions and marketed via social media at inflated prices. Officials seized the materials and confirmed that legal action had been initiated against the individual.
@travelsdubai Sharjah man arrested for selling tap water as Zamzam #sharjah #zamzamwater #uae #fyp #foryou #travelsdubai ♬ original sound - Travels Dubai | ترافيلس دبي
Khalid Al Hammadi, Head of the Food Control Section at Sharjah Municipality, stated that Zamzam water’s physical similarity to regular bottled water makes it a common target for fraud. The municipality reiterated that Zamzam is not for commercial sale and should only be acquired through authorised channels.
What is Zamzam water?
Zamzam water originates from a sacred well within the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Muslims worldwide revere it as a source of spiritual and physical healing, often bringing it back after Hajj or Umrah as a blessed souvenir.
Pilgrims can obtain authentic Zamzam water at designated points including Makkah’s Zamzam Water Supply Project, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport, and the Taif International Airport. Bottles must be sealed, packed in airline-approved cartons, and are limited to 5 litres per traveller.
Enhanced inspections
Sharjah and Ajman have committed to increasing inspection campaigns to detect unauthorised Zamzam sales. Surprise checks are expected to be carried out across grocery stores and commercial outlets. Circulars have already been distributed to businesses, reminding them of the ban.
Public cooperation is essential. Residents are being urged to report unlicensed vendors or questionable sales through the respective municipality hotlines – 993 for Sharjah and 80070 for Ajman. Authorities also caution against purchasing through social media or other unofficial channels.