Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Religious Affairs Committee of Uzbekistan has fined the travel company Zaytun Turizm for illegally offering pilgrimage services without proper authorization.

According to the press service of the committee, the company was organizing Umrah trips for residents of Namangan region without holding the required license.

As a result of the violations, a fine of 200 base calculation units, equivalent to 75 million soums at the time of publication, was imposed on the company.

It is worth noting that in November 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan approved a list of companies authorized to organize Umrah trips. The list includes six companies from Tashkent, three from Namangan, as well as firms from Andijan, Margilan, and Urgench.

Under the new regulations, companies wishing to obtain a license must contribute US$1 million to the Ziyorat fund and sign an agreement with a partner organization in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, they are required to provide medical assistance, meals, and accommodations for pilgrims.