No shortage of Zamzam water

Saudi Arabia has reassured Muslims worldwide that there will be no shortage of Zamzam water as more than two million pilgrims prepare to converge on Makkah, Islam’s holiest shrine, local newspapers reported on Friday.

“The water level of the Zamzam Well at the Grand Mosque has increased,” they quoted Yousif Al-Wabil, Assistant Deputy President for Affairs of the Grand Mosque, as saying.

“This has happened because many private wells dug by citizens are no longer draining water from the Zamzam Well.”

Al-Wabil said the previous homeowners in Al-Shamyia neighborhood in the holy city had dug these wells in their houses and linked them to their water tanks.

“Muslims all over the world can be assured that there will not be a shortage of Zamzam water,” he said as Makkah prepares to receive Moslem pilgrims for the annual Haj season, which is expected to start in late November.

He said all the distribution points in Makkah are provided with a sufficient quantity of Zamzam water, adding that the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina will be provided with tankers of Zamzam water on a daily basis.

Al-Wabil rejected accusations that women are only given small areas to pray in the Grand Mosque.

He said that more than 50 per cent of the area on the first and second floors has been allocated for women.

“The presidency draws up its plans for the Umrah and Haj seasons several months beforehand, to ensure a high standard of services to worshippers….it mobilises more than 5,702 employees, supported by thousands of cleaners and maintenance workers, to serve and care for pilgrims around-the-clock."

He said the presidency, a government department in charge of the development of the two holy Moslem cities, also assigns scholars, who speak a variety of languages, to enlighten pilgrims and help them perform the rituals properly.

Al-Wabil said the presidency also allows Umrah pilgrims, visitors and worshippers to bring small amounts of dates and coffee into the Grand Mosque.

“But the mosque’s police and the presidency’s staff strictly monitor worshippers to make sure they do not bring large amounts of food with them.”

About the phenomenon of the reservation of places at the Grand Mosque, he said this illegal activity becomes more prevalent in the last 10 days of Ramadan.

“Most of those who resort to this method are foreigners, who do so for purely financial gain..these people reserve places overlooking the Holy Ka’ba.”

“Those who do so will be arrested. Many were arrested last Ramadan and referred to the responsible authorities for punishment.” he said.
 

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