The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, has issued a firm warning to Indonesian pilgrims preparing to return home: do not pack Zamzam water in your checked luggage. He emphasized that any bottles discovered by airport security will be confiscated and discarded.
Speaking at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah on Sunday night (May 31), the Minister—widely known as Gus Irfan—highlighted that unauthorized baggage remains a significant challenge for officials. “We are still struggling to remind pilgrims not to pack prohibited items. If you hide Zamzam water in bottles inside your suitcase, security personnel will inevitably open your luggage and dispose of the liquid,” he explained.
Many pilgrims attempt to bypass strict aviation security by wrapping their bottles in heavy layers of duct tape, hoping to mask the contents from X-ray scanners. However, these efforts are largely unsuccessful, as the bottles remain easily detectable as suspicious items, leading to mandatory manual inspections and the subsequent opening of the passengers’ suitcases.
Gus Irfan noted that reports from the very first flight groups departing for Indonesia showed a disappointing trend. Despite repeated warnings, a large number of pilgrims still attempted to transport Zamzam water in their checked bags, forcing authorities to intervene.
“From the first departing groups alone, we had to remove and discard dozens, if not nearly a hundred, bottles from suitcases,” he shared. These incidents cause significant logistical delays that ripple through the entire boarding process.
The Minister urged pilgrims in upcoming groups to comply with regulations to ensure a smooth journey. He pointed out that every time a suitcase needs to be opened and repacked due to prohibited items, it creates unnecessary complications for both the staff and the passengers. “This practice disrupts our travel schedule. We have to wait for the bags to be unpacked, the items removed, and the luggage repacked before it can be loaded onto the aircraft. Ultimately, this only hinders your own journey home,” Gus Irfan concluded.
Summary
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, has issued a stern warning to Indonesian pilgrims against packing Zamzam water in their checked luggage. Airport authorities will confiscate and discard any bottles discovered during security screenings, as they are strictly prohibited. Attempts to hide the water inside suitcases will be detected by X-ray scanners, which will then trigger a manual inspection.
Transporting Zamzam water illegally causes significant logistical issues and disrupts the departure process. Unpacking and repacking luggage due to these prohibited items not only wastes time but also leads to flight delays for all passengers. Pilgrims are urged to comply with these regulations to ensure a more efficient and orderly journey home.