Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The government of Uzbekistan has tightened the requirements for organizing the minor pilgrimage, Umrah.

On 12 October, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution aimed at improving the procedures related to Umrah activities.

According to the resolution, new conditions have been introduced for obtaining a license to organize Umrah.

Organizers are required to appoint a group leader with religious knowledge and skills, based on a contract with the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

The staff of companies involved in organizing Umrah must include at least one employee who has received religious education or is a graduate of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

It is prohibited to organize trips for minors.

Companies organizing Umrah are required to reserve US$1 million in the "Ziyorat" Fund.

Activities through tour operators and travel agents are strictly prohibited.

In addition, all visas issued to pilgrims must be exclusively Umrah visas issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Any other type of visa will be deemed illegal for organizing pilgrimage trips.

Collaboration with partner organizations in Saudi Arabia must be formalized through agreements, with all service payments processed through banking institutions.

Organizers must ensure timely medical services for pilgrims in the cities of Mecca and Medina.

They are also required to collaborate only with airlines that have a minimum of two years of experience in international transportation and have not violated any international or national regulations during that period.

Air tickets for both outbound and return flights must be purchased before the departure of the pilgrims.

Pilgrims are only allowed to stay in hotels with a rating of at least three stars.

Organizing Umrah services through third countries is prohibited.

The resolution also bans the provision of Umrah services through branches or offices not listed in the license.

Legal entities that violate licensing regulations for organizing and conducting Umrah will face a fine of 200 basic calculation units (approximately 75 million Uzbekistani soums at the time of publication).