Uzbekistan ranks among the Top 10 countries for Umrah pilgrims

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In 2024, nearly 461,500 Uzbeks performed Umrah, placing Uzbekistan 10th in the world for the number of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. The country also holds the top position in Central Asia for Umrah pilgrimages. This announcement was made on February 18 during a press conference in Tashkent attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabi’ah.

“The high number of Uzbek pilgrims reflects the deep spiritual connection of the Uzbek people with the Two Holy Mosques. At the same time, it demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing a seamless and comprehensive system of services to support Umrah pilgrims,” stated officials at the conference.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia closely coordinates with relevant Uzbek authorities to ensure that Umrah travel agencies provide high-quality services, including accommodation and transportation.

"To further facilitate the pilgrimage process, Saudi Arabia has introduced several digital initiatives. The Nusuk platform, for example, allows pilgrims to plan their journey, covering everything from visa applications to booking transportation, and accommodation, and scheduling Umrah rituals. Additionally, the Haramain Express Train has significantly reduced travel time between Mecca and Medina, ensuring a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage experience," has been said at the conference.

Given the growing demand for Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia has also launched large-scale projects to expand the Two Holy Mosques. Improvements have been made to the areas for circumambulation (Tawaf) and Sa’i, while supporting infrastructure, including hospitals and health centers, has been enhanced.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy emphasizes creating a more comfortable and technologically advanced experience for pilgrims. Measures include the use of artificial intelligence for managing large crowds, eco-friendly water and renewable energy systems, and multilingual guidance services, including in Uzbek.

It is worth noting that violations in the licensing of Umrah pilgrimage services in Uzbekistan can result in fines of up to 200 times the minimum wage (75 million soums). According to Resolution No. 300 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, Umrah service providers must also maintain a reserve fund of $1 million as part of their licensing requirements.

The sponsor of this article is SOFA MARVA TOUR, an officially licensed tourism company specializing in Umrah travel.