Sale of 'Zamzam water' temporarily stopped, legality will be verified

The National Directorate of Consumer Protection has decided to temporarily stop the sale of bottled 'Zamzam water' in Baitul Mukarram Mosque Market of Dhaka. According to the organization, the next decision will be taken with the opinions of all concerned, including the Islamic Foundation, subject to verification whether there is any legality in the sale of this water.
This decision was announced by Director General AHM Safikuzzaman after discussing the legal and ethical validity of the sale of water in the open market of the holy Zamzam well at the head office of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate on Monday.

Based on the news that bottled Zamzam water is being sold in Baitul Mukarram Market, the Directorate of Consumer Affairs conducted an operation on Sunday. After getting proof of sale of Zamzam water in 5 liter and 250 milliliter bottles in that campaign, it was decided to discuss with the businessmen. Traders say that they get this water from Haji or various agencies that conduct Hajj.
In the meeting, Director General of Consumer Affairs Department AHM Safikuzzaman said, 'The issue is sensitive. After this came before us we decided to have a quick meeting. Based on what has been discussed here, it has been decided to temporarily stop the sale of holy Zamzam water in Baitul Mukarram Market. Because we do not know any information that this water is sold even in Saudi Arabia.

AHM Safikuzzaman also said that as far as is known, there is no legal validity for the sale of Zamzam water. We still want to check. For this reason, the next decision will be informed with the opinion of all concerned including the Islamic Foundation.
Narrating his experience, Safikuzzaman said, 'I have recently performed Umrah. Each person is allowed to bring one five liter bottle from the airport while returning from there. Apart from this, I have not seen anything that can be carried in a handbag in a small bottle of water. So there is no way to get small bottled water in the country's market.
AHM Safikuzzaman said, 'I don't think any Haji will bring Zamzam water from Saudi to sell in this market of Baitul Mukarram. The most worrying thing is that if the Saudi government knows about this, it may create a negative impression about our country. Moreover, it may also happen that bringing Zamzam water for Bangladeshis may stop.'

The leaders of the Baitul Mukarram Market Traders Association have been asked to give their views to the Consumer Affairs Directorate within the next two days. The government agency has also said that it will be monitored whether Zamzam water is being sold in any other market of the country.
Besides, if this water is sold using social media or online, the Directorate of Consumer Rights will take the help of other government agencies to take action against it.
Sultan Kabiraj, the businessman of Baitul Mukarram Market, said, 'Many times the Muallems who are in charge of the management of Hajids bring the left bottles to Baitul Mukarram. Then we buy and sell it. But this water does not go anywhere other than their market.'
Ahmedul Haque, office manager of Baitul Mukarram Business Group, said, 'The attitude of Hajids should not be such that they bring this water to the market to sell. We didn't look at it that way either. I hope a decision will be taken in this regard after further discussion.'
Cab representative and consumer voice editor Abdul Hannan said, 'I have searched in Saudi Arabia and found that Zamzam water is not sold. Selling it is also considered a crime there. All pilgrims are allowed to bring five liter bottles only. So, the question remains as to whether the newly bottled water being sold is really Zamzam water or not.
Abdul Jabbar, Assistant Director of Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, said, yesterday, during the operation of Baitul Mukarram Market, it was found that small bottles of Zamzam water are being sold at 300 taka, and 5 liter bottles are being sold at a price of more than 2,500 taka. Many traders closed their shops and ran away after hearing about the operation.
Dhaka New Market trader Mohammad Shafiullah said that some traders in their market are also selling Zamzam water. If it is done elsewhere in the country, it must be stopped.
Businessman Mohammad Shafiullah claims that there is a wholesale market for selling this water around Baitul Mukarram Market. He believes that some unscrupulous businessmen are doing this in an attempt to gain profit by exploiting people's emotions.
Business representatives including senior officials of the Consumer Affairs Department were present in the exchange meeting.

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