Although banned, the sale of bottled Zamzam water on streets and in public places goes on uninterrupted in the holy city and its environs. To put an end to this phenomenon, an environmental specialist has called on authorities to set up sales outlets on expressways and main roads, especially at the entry and exit points of Makkah, according to a report in a local Arabic daily. Dr. Fahd Turkistani, associate professor at Umm Al-Qura University and environmental arbitrator at the Gulf Cooperation Council, stressed the need to set up kiosks for the sale of Zamzam along expressways and main roads. This task should be undertaken by the Makkah Municipality, with the supervision of the Environmental Health Department and the Civil Defense. “Zamzam distribution outlets should be compliant with health and environment standards and specifications, and for this, supervision by these agencies is essential,” he said. According to Dr. Turkistani, the Environmental Health Department and the Civil Defense must have a role in choosing an appropriate site to set up these kiosks. “These kiosks should be arranged in such a way that prevents exposure to the rays of the sun or high temperatures that could result in the contamination of Zamzam. It is essential that sites of kiosks are protected from exposure to the sun as much as possible,” he said. The expert noted that current practices in the sale of Zamzam on the streets are uncivilized and do not reflect the beauty of Makkah. “Millions of Umrah pilgrims and visitors to Islam's holiest shrine are eager to buy Zamzam, and some of them are forced to buy it from street vendors due to the rush at the distribution center on the premises of the bottling plant,” he said. Dr. Turkistani highlighted the significance of setting up official kiosks for selling Zamzam. “It is essential to ensure that only the Zamzam water bottled from the King Abdullah Bottling Plant is sold at these outlets. Bottles filled by hand should not be allowed to be sold,” he said. He also called for stringent punitive measures such as imposing fines, closing kiosks or canceling the licenses of those violating the regulations. The expert wonders why the bottling plant authorities are not fulfilling their promise in this regard. “These officials earlier announced that bottled Zamzam water from the plant would be made available for sale at commercial centers and grocery stores. They also disclosed that there would be sales outlets at the entry and exit points of the holy city,” he added. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, had earlier directed the concerned departments to prevent the sale of Zamzam along main roads and streets. He also instructed officials to deal firmly with street vendors who sell ordinary water as Zamzam.
