Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Uzbekistan have conducted inspections to prevent the illegal organization of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

As a result, over the past two months, 19 travel companies operating without the necessary licenses have been fined, according to the press service of the Committee on Religious Affairs.

Each of the fined firms is required to pay 75 million soums. Additionally, cases involving five companies have been forwarded to the Antimonopoly Committee and law enforcement agencies for violations of advertising regulations.

Furthermore, criminal cases have been initiated against 31 travel agencies that organized Umrah trips without a license under Article 168 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (fraud).

The committee emphasized that in Uzbekistan, only the Hajj-Umrah Center under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan and 12 authorized travel companies are permitted to organize Umrah pilgrimages. These authorized companies include Ihlos Travel 1, Yuksak Travel Air, Muhtasham Travel, Musaffo Turizm Xizmati, Risola Travel Lux, Xorazm Umra Jamiyati, Hikmat Umra Travel, Real Dreams, Travel with Family, Sofa Marva Tour, B2 Management, and Safar Time Exclusive.

Citizens planning a pilgrimage are advised to verify in advance that their chosen travel agency holds an official license from the Committee on Religious Affairs.