According to the “Dunyo” news agency, more than 170 Uzbek citizens who traveled for Umrah through private firms and individuals are stranded in Saudi Arabia and unable to return home. The situation is being investigated by the Uzbek Consulate General, which is assessing the pilgrims' difficulties.

Diplomats from the consulate visited the Kanari and Al-Ayam Elite hotels in Mecca to examine the pilgrims' issues. The pilgrims stated they arrived as part of 14-day Umrah tours in various groups, but due to false information and errors by the organizers, they have not been able to return yet. Most of the group are elderly individuals, including those with chronic conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes, and hypertension, who require constant medication.

Consulate representatives noted that in recent years, some “tourist firms” and “individuals” without proper licenses have been organizing Umrah pilgrimages, leading to numerous difficulties for citizens in cities like Medina and Jeddah. It was recalled that only 14 tourist firms are officially licensed by Uzbekistan's Committee for Religious Affairs to organize Umrah.

The pilgrims were informed that their requests to return home would be forwarded to relevant authorities in accordance with established procedures, even though they arrived on unlicensed tours. However, considering that processing these requests will take time, they were advised to purchase air tickets at their own expense and return to Uzbekistan if possible, to prevent the situation from worsening. They were also explained that upon return, they could file complaints about the illegal actions of the organizers.

Currently, the situation is under constant monitoring by the consulate, and appropriate measures are being taken. Over the past year, 178 criminal cases have been initiated related to illegal Umrah organization, with 47 unlicensed tourist organizations and 15 violating advertising rules fined.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a meeting on January 27, highlighted the increase in criminal group activities in organizing Hajj and Umrah, citing the example of “Jalolquduq Aviatrans” company, which deceived 534 citizens in an Umrah scheme, causing 18 billion soums in damages, and called for an end to such practices.

Source: www.gazeta.uz