On November 9, 2023, within the framework of preparations for the 2026 Hajj season, a meeting was held between the Uzbekistan delegation and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Presidential Advisor Muzaffar Kamolov, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs Sodiq Toshboyev, Mufti Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiqnazar, attaché Shukhrat Amoniy, as well as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yusuf al-Utaybi. During the meeting, the positive results of close cooperation between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman al Saud were especially emphasized.
It was also noted that the exchange of delegations between the two countries has increased and that high-level services are being provided to pilgrims. New regulations regarding the 2026 Hajj season were discussed during the negotiations.
In particular, special attention was paid to ensuring the safety of pilgrims, strictly adhering to medical requirements, timely preparation of documents, and compliance with the rules during the Hajj period. The Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah highly appreciated the reforms being implemented by Uzbekistan in this area.
Additionally, the meeting focused on the opening ceremonies of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and the Imam Bukhari complex in Samarkand. Representatives of Saudi Arabia expressed their desire to participate in these events.
Furthermore, issues related to the development of pilgrimage tourism, support for scientific research, and organizing trips to ancient cities were also discussed. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reached agreements on a number of issues and exchanged commemorative gifts.
This meeting is expected to contribute to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
