ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday Pakistani Hajj pilgrims flying back to their country were given their share of Zamzam water upon arriving at the airports in Jeddah and Madinah on a daily basis.
The water, which comes from the Zamzam Well in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is considered sacred by Muslims due to its link with highly revered prophets in Islam.
According to religious tradition, the well miraculously emerged many thousands of years ago when Prophet Ibrahim’s infant son, Ismail, felt thirsty, and his mother began to search for water between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Muslim pilgrims bring Zamzam water with them to their home countries after performing Hajj or Umrah to share it with friends and family.
“Zamzam water is being provided at the Madinah and Jeddah airports to Hajj pilgrims traveling to Pakistan,” the ministry announced in a statement.
It added that all Hajj pilgrims traveling with PIA, except those from Quetta and Sukkur, were allowed to book Zamzam along with their luggage at the two Saudi airports.
“Pilgrims from Quetta and Sukkur will be provided Zamzam upon arrival at Pakistani airports,” the statement added.
The ministry said all Hajj pilgrims under the government scheme, who were flying with Airblue, Air Sial and Serene Air, were receiving a 5-liter bottle each of Zamzam at the respective Pakistani airports.
Pilgrims on the official Hajj scheme traveling with Saudi Air can also book Zamzam with their luggage.
The ministry also informed it had posted the names and contact numbers of focal persons at the relevant Hajj camps and airlines to assist pilgrims who may require any help related to Zamzam distribution.
