Committee on Religious Affairs warns against unauthorized Hajj travel

The Committee on Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan has issued a public warning urging citizens not to attempt to perform the Hajj pilgrimage through unauthorized or illegal means.

According to the committee, the warning comes after receiving an official notification from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The notification emphasized that any individual attempting to perform Hajj rituals without an official permit will face legal consequences.

A special statement from the Saudi Ministry of Interior, attached to the notification, further stressed that only individuals holding a valid “Hajj-2025” visa will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage. The use of any other type of visa—including Umrah, tourism, business, or other categories—is strictly prohibited for participating in Hajj.

The Committee on Religious Affairs also reported that certain travel agencies and intermediaries in third countries have been attempting to arrange unauthorized Hajj trips for Uzbek citizens. Saudi law enforcement authorities have begun conducting raids and will impose strict penalties on violators, including deportation.

“Punitive measures will be taken against those who attempt to perform the Hajj illegally, and they will be deported from the country,” the statement said.

The committee reminded that the organization of Hajj is regulated under the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 364, adopted on June 7, 2017. In line with this resolution, the Hajj pilgrimage is organized exclusively by the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, based on an annual agreement signed with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. No other organization is authorized to facilitate Hajj travel.

“Therefore, we urge our citizens not to trust individuals or groups who promise Hajj travel through fraudulent or unofficial means,” the committee emphasized.

It is worth recalling that on April 29 of this year, Saudi Arabia introduced strict penalties for those attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, as well as for those aiding them. Violators may face fines of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals (approximately \$5,300), deportation, and a 10-year ban from reentering the Kingdom.