Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Transport Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan addressed the Committee on Tourism with a request to suspend the activities of 40 travel companies, since criminal prosecution has been launched against the heads of these companies and a preliminary investigation is underway. These companies were involved in organizing Umrah, Daryo reported.

Among these companies are Gulbakhor Airways, Mabrur Tur, Ravza Tur, Ramazon Travel, Fayz Turizm, Hizmat Travel, Toyib Tur, Ark Tur, Zaytun Travel, Maxbub Tour, Muhtasham Travel (Zam Zam Travel), Marjon Tur, Ixsan Travel, Exrom Tur , Madinax, Risola Travel, Maroqand, Hiro Tur, Najot Tour, Labbaik Travel, City Cloud, Ajva, Global Tur, Osiyo Tur, Brend Tur, Qibla Travel, Musaffo, Ummat Uchun, Sayyor Sayohat, Maya Tur, Sulton Travel, Musaffirun, Air Fayz, Mubin Tur, Road Silk, Ziyo Tur, Makon Yunayted, Mahdiy Travel.

According to the case, Panorama Airways and several travel agencies accepted significant funds from 3.9 thousand people for services in organizing travel to Umrah.

The organizers did not fulfill their obligations to return citizens from Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan.

Panorama Airways suspended flights between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia from 28 January to 2 February due to unforeseen circumstances. As a result, citizens of Uzbekistan were unable to return from Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan.

From 2 to 4 February, more than 3 thousand people were returned to Uzbekistan. As a result of the incident, there was a change in management at Panorama Airways. The Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case.

For tour operators involved in organizing Umrah, additional licensing requirements were established and a rating system was introduced to evaluate their activities.

In particular, tour operators must reserve at least US$100,000 in the Safe Tourism Fund.

During the performance of Umrah, operators should appoint specialists with religious knowledge and skills as leaders of groups of pilgrims on the basis of an agreement concluded with the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

The staff of a tour operator providing Umrah services must have at least one specialist who is a graduate of a republican educational institution in the areas of religious (Islamic) education or with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan;

It is prohibited to provide Umrah services to minors.

To conduct the pilgrimage, an appropriate agreement must be concluded with a partner organization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Tourism Committee advises pilgrims to be careful when choosing tour operators, preferring those with a special license to avoid unpleasant situations.