Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan has published a list of private tour operators who have the right to organize a small pilgrimage - Umrah.

The preliminary list published by the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee consists of 34 private tourism companies. These companies are allowed to organize small pilgrimages.

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.