The Committee on Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan has published a list of tour operators that have received licenses to send pilgrims for Umrah (minor pilgrimage). The list includes 12 companies, according to the agency's press service on its Telegram channel.
Officials conducted a selection process, verifying participants' compliance with licensing criteria. As a result, only 12 operators were recognized as winners. Half of them are based in Tashkent, three in Namangan, and one each in Urgench, Andijan, and Margilan. The full list is published on the Committee on Religious Affairs' website.
The agency reminded that illegal provision of services to citizens for organizing pilgrimages to Muslim holy sites is punishable by a fine of 200 basic calculation units — 75 million sums (about $6,000).
Committee officials explained to Kun.uz journalists that licenses issued to travel agencies are valid indefinitely. Other companies can also apply for permits if they meet the established criteria in the country.
The editorial note adds that as of early October this year, 77 Uzbek tour operators were organizing Umrah trips. However, after tightening licensing rules, their number has significantly decreased.
ℹ️ In mid-October, the Uzbekistan government approved new requirements for companies planning to obtain the right to send pilgrims. For example, while previously it was sufficient to reserve $100,000 in a state fund, now the amount has increased to $1 million.
The cabinet's resolution stated that the main goal of the innovations is to create safe and comfortable conditions for believers' travel, protect pilgrims' rights and interests, and ensure quality and guaranteed services.
ℹ️ Umrah is a minor pilgrimage, the performance of which in the holy month of Ramadan is equated to the major Hajj. The minor pilgrimage can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Quotas for Umrah have been abolished in Uzbekistan since 2019, but permission from the Muslim Board of the republic is required for pilgrimage departure, which is issued if the candidate meets a number of requirements, such as having «authority in the mahalla» (local community).
