Officials of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Jeddah visited the Kanari and Al-Ayam Elite hotels in Mecca to assess the situation of 170 Uzbek pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims reported that they arrived for a 14-day Umrah pilgrimage organized by various private firms. However, due to misinformation and organizational failures by the firms, they have been unable to secure flights home. A significant portion of the group consists of elderly individuals, some of whom suffer from chronic health conditions. In their distress, the pilgrims have formally appealed to the Uzbek government for practical assistance.
Consular officials noted a rising trend of unlicensed travel firms and individuals organizing Umrah trips, which frequently leads to crises in Medina and Jeddah. They emphasized that only 14 travel agencies hold the official licenses required by the Committee on Religious Affairs to organize such pilgrimages. Despite regular public warnings and official lists published in the media, many citizens continue to fall prey to illegal, high-pressure advertising.
The Consulate General clarified that the grievances of those who arrived via unregulated programs will be processed through official channels. In the meantime, to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, citizens were advised to purchase their own return tickets if financially able.
Furthermore, officials explained that upon their return to Uzbekistan, pilgrims can file formal complaints with competent authorities against the organizers whose illegal actions caused these hardships. The Consulate remains in constant contact with the group, monitoring the situation to ensure a safe return for all fellow countrymen.
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