Makkah’s Zamzam water production melds ancient history with modern technology

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Updated 10 July 2022
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Makkah’s Zamzam water production melds ancient history with modern technology

  • Hajj pilgrims welcomed with water that springs from a well in the Grand Mosque in the holy city
  • In 2010, a $186.6 million project was launched to automatically fill bottles and purify the water

MAKKAH: As this year’s Hajj pilgrims make their way to Makkah, the providers of Zamzam are welcoming them with the water that springs from a well in the Grand Mosque, 21 meters east of the Kaaba.

Zamzam has an ancient history that goes back thousands of years to the era of Al-Khalil Ibrahim and his son Ismail.

The Zamazima (providers of Zamzam water) and their services have a long and distinguished history.

Hassan Abu Al-Faraj, the managing director and member of the board of directors at the Zamazima Co., told Arab News: “When the divine command was given to the Prophet of God Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to go to Makkah and leave his wife Hajar and his son Ismail, peace be upon him, in an uncultivated valley near the Sacred Mosque, he bid them farewell, left and did not turn back despite the repeated calls of his wife Hajar.

“He answered by saying: ‘I did this by God's command.’ After the water ran out and the child began to cry, his mother could no longer bear to see him crying, so she shunned him so she wouldn’t hear his cries. She headed toward Al-Safa and climbed the mountain, then went toward Al-Marwa and climbed the mountain as well. She walked from Safa to Marwa seven times and, during her seventh quest in Marwa, she heard a voice and said: ‘Help if you have any goodness (in your heart).’

“So the man, who was said to be Gabriel, hit the site of the well with his foot and water emerged from the ground. Hajar surrounded the sand and piled it up to preserve the water and uttered as she piled up the sand, ‘Zam zam, zam zam,’ which means ‘gather’ in the Syriac language. That is the meaning behind the name.

“In 1403 A.H. (1983), the Unified Zamazima Office, known as the Zamazima Co. now, was established to undertake the task of providing water to pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom, providing Zamzam water at the guidance centers at the entrances to Makkah and in their residences throughout their stay in Makkah.

“Zamzam water is also distributed to pilgrims during their departure at the Tafweej centers at the exits of Makkah so that Zamzam water is the first and last thing pilgrims drink (from) the moment they enter and leave Makkah.”

In 2010, a project with an estimated cost of SR700 million ($186.6 million) was launched to automatically fill bottles and purify the water.




A picture taken on July 29, 2020 shows a pilgrim receiving water at the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah, at the start of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP/File Photo)

It consists of several buildings, including one for air compressors, a warehouse with unprocessed water containers, a building for production lines, and a warehouse for the processed bottles with a daily storage capacity of 200,000 bottles.

The factory’s total area exceeds 13,000 square meters. The building also has backup generators with a capacity of 10 megawatts and works with a system that controls and monitors all phases of the project, from pumping water from the well to the last stages of filling.

The production capacity of the automatic filling line for the Zamzam water bottling center ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 bottles per hour, with a daily quantity ranging from 33,000 to 44,000 bottles.

“During this year’s Hajj season, the Zamazima Co. prepared its operational plan, including working to provide Zamzam water to pilgrims from the moment of their arrival in Makkah until their departure through several main axes that are consistent with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the full care and great attention given by our wise government for pilgrims, to perform their rituals at ease and safely,” Al-Faraj told Arab News.

“Among the most prominent developments is the cancellation of the distribution of 20 liter Zamzam water bottles that were placed in refrigerators in the pilgrims’ residences and replacing them with bottles of 330 ml capacity to make them more accessible to pilgrims.

“The first program of the plan included working on preparing sites to distribute Zamzam water to pilgrims at guidance centers at Makkah’s entrances from Jeddah and Madinah. Each pilgrim receives two refrigerated bottles straight from cooling rooms and special sites. Supervisors and employees were also recruited to distribute bottles of Zamzam water to pilgrims during their arrival at the guidance center so that Zamzam water is the first thing that pilgrims drink.”

The second program sees the distribution of three 330 ml bottles to pilgrim accommodation daily through a digital channel that facilitates their delivery and confirms their receipt. There is also an internal and field control center to follow up and ensure the arrival of Zamzam water for pilgrims to their residence daily, from the moment of their arrival at their accommodation until they leave.




According to Islamic belief, Zamzam is a miraculously-generated source of water from God, which began thousands of years ago when Abraham's infant son Ishmael was thirsty and crying for water when it discovered a well by kicking the ground. (AFP/File Photo)

The under-secretary-general for services and field affairs and environmental protection investigation, Mohammed bin Musleh Al-Jabri, told Arab News that the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques worked through its service system to help visitors perform their rituals with ease and that one of those blessed services was the provision of Zamzam water.

The presidency ensures the water’s purity and its access to pilgrims and visitors in the easiest way, by drawing it from the well of Zamzam, purifying it, and distributing it automatically through the latest international technology to protect the water from pollution.

Its journey, from the well of Zamzam to the pilgrims of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, passes through several stages.

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Saudi Arabia’s delegation is led by Abdulelah bin Ali Al-Tokhais, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to UNESCO.

Also in attendance are members of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and representatives from various national institutions.

Delivering the Kingdom’s address during the opening session, Al-Tokhais underscored Saudi Arabia’s historic and ongoing partnership with UNESCO, highlighting that the Kingdom was among the first nations to sign the UN Charter in 1945.

He emphasized the robust cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, particularly through the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, a partnership that recently culminated in the Kingdom hosting the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities, held under the patronage of King Salman.

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RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has supported various sports and youth initiatives in the country as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to empower Yemeni youth.

The SDRPY has built over 30 basketball and volleyball courts in schools across various Yemeni governorates, and supported the construction of FIFA-standard stadiums for clubs such as Al-Jazira, Al-Rawdah, and Al-Menaa.

In a report, the agency said that it remains dedicated to implementing sports projects in Yemen that meet global standards to enhance youth skills, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

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Various sports tournaments have been organized by the development agency to provide young Yemeni athletes with opportunities to compete, the SPA added.

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The agency celebrated the Yemeni U-17 national team for their victory in the West Asian Football Championship against the Saudi U-17 national squad in December 2021 as a gesture of encouragement and acknowledgment, the SPA reported.

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Moma’s Garden: A Saudi family’s recipe for love

Updated 07 April 2025
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Moma’s Garden: A Saudi family’s recipe for love

  • Al-Mumen family blends culinary creativity, tradition in cozy Alkhobar restaurant
  • Teamwork brings comfort through home-like decor, modern twist on Arabic flavors

ALKHOBAR: In a quiet corner of Alkhobar, Moma’s Garden has become more than just a restaurant — it is a family-run establishment at which hospitality is as important as the food itself. With another branch in Dammam, the restaurant is entirely operated by the Al-Mumen family, whose members take on various roles to run its daily operations.

The atmosphere of Moma’s Garden is intentionally just like home. Sunlight filters through white curtains, casting a warm glow over wooden tables and lush greenery. The walls are adorned with framed family photographs, reflecting a history deeply intertwined with the restaurant’s identity.

The restaurant’s wishing tree, where visitors leave handwritten notes, is a symbol of community and connection. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

Moma’s Garden started as a small venture in a Dammam hotel, a modest space that helped to lay the foundation for what would later become a larger family project.

Abdulfattah Al-Mumen, the father, said: “At first we opened Moma’s Garden in a hotel in Dammam. It was a small place, but it was big in our hearts, and that’s where our story began. Now, with our second branch in Alkhobar, our journey continues.

For many visitors Moma’s Garden is not just a restaurant but a place shaped by personal stories, dedication, and a deep appreciation for hospitality. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

“It is built on the passion of our family, my wife’s creativity, and our children’s experiences from traveling and living abroad. They learned to cook for their friends, and today they are capable of managing businesses, finances, architecture, and law.”

And while each member of the family brings something to the table, Al-Mumen said: “The mastermind behind all the creativity is my wife. In the end we are simply a family that enjoys cooking and being together.”

We are not just running a business. We are sharing our passion, our creativity, and our love for food. At the end of the day what matters most is that we continue to do what we love together.

Abdulfattah Al-Mumen

Abdulhadi, their young son, told Arab News: “I handle the front desk, my mother oversees the menu and its development, Hassan manages finances, and Bayan handles legal matters.”

However, the roles are not set in stone and each family member steps up as needed. Abdulhadi added: “My father and I collaborate on architectural and design aspects … Sometimes my father is a waiter and sometimes I cook in the kitchen. We all share responsibilities.”

For many visitors Moma’s Garden is not just a restaurant but a place shaped by personal stories, dedication, and a deep appreciation for hospitality. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

At the heart of Moma’s Garden is Intessar, the matriarch who personally oversees the menu and ingredient selection, ensuring that every dish meets her high standards.

She said: “Finding the right ingredients can be difficult. Every day I go out myself and handpick what we use. Maybe that’s why this place feels like home to so many people. Even the local vendors recognize me now and know I won’t settle for anything less than top quality.

Moma's Garden isn't just a restaurant -- it's a place shaped by stories, dedication, and hospitality.

“Our dishes are not traditionally Arabic, but we’ve given them a modern twist infused with Arabic elements, like shakshuka and date toast.”

This hands-on approach and commitment to fresh ingredients help define Moma’s Garden’s philosophy.

Every dish tells a story – Carefully crafted recipes with a modern twist. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

The setting at Moma’s Garden is carefully designed to create a welcoming and relaxed environment. The wooden tables, soft pastel hues, and an abundance of plants contribute to an atmosphere that encourages guests to unwind and enjoy their meal.

A unique feature is the wishing tree, where visitors leave handwritten notes — a symbol of community and connection that has become an integral part of the restaurant’s charm.

“I always come to Moma’s Garden” – Roa Khushina, a regular guest. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

Al-Mumen said: “We select our ingredients as if we are choosing them for our own home, so that our guests feel like they are in their second home, not just any restaurant.

“We want them to feel like they are visiting us, like guests in our own house.”

A family’s journey on the walls – Framed photographs tell the story of the Al-Mumen family. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

For many customers, this sense of familiarity is what keeps them coming back.

Roa Khushina, a fitness trainer and regular at the establishment, said: “I always come to Moma’s Garden — it’s honestly one of the best restaurants in Alkhobar. Their dishes are excellent, diverse, and they even offer healthy options.”

Moma’s Garden – AlKhubar, Saudi Arabia. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

Running a restaurant as a family comes with its own challenges, particularly in hiring staff who align with the restaurant’s vision.

Hassan, the eldest son, said: “We don’t just look for employees — we look for people who fit our culture, who see this place as more than just a job. It takes us four to five months to find the right person.”

Despite occasional differences in opinion, the Al-Mumen family views these challenges as an essential part of working together and evolving the business.

“These challenges make our family stronger, and we see ourselves as partners in success,” he added.

With two established locations, the family remains committed to maintaining quality rather than expanding too quickly.

“We are not just running a business,” said Al-Mumen. “We are sharing our passion, our creativity, and our love for food. At the end of the day what matters most is that we continue to do what we love together.”

For many visitors Moma’s Garden is not just a restaurant but a place shaped by personal stories, dedication, and a deep appreciation for hospitality.