Visit of the President of Tajikistan to Saudi Arabia

According to media reports, on July 18, 2023, Emomali Rahmon will depart for Saudi Arabia as part of a delegation for a two-day visit.

The President of Tajikistan and the heads of state of Central Asia will participate in the Eighteenth Consultative Meeting of the Leaders of the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Summit of the Gulf States and Central Asian Countries, which will take place in Jeddah on July 19, 2023.

It is reported that the visit of the heads of state of Central Asia to Saudi Arabia will take place at the official invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Before the summit, the heads of state of Central Asia will perform Umrah (minor pilgrimage).

President Emomali Rahmon will perform Umrah at a time when Tajikistan has recently ranked low in international organizations regarding freedom of speech and religion, and the country’s authorities have faced criticism for violations of the rights of believers. According to international organizations, the authorities of Tajikistan have imposed numerous restrictions on women wearing hijabs and men with beards, creating an atmosphere of fear in society.

Previously, Emomali Rahmon himself criticized the residents of the country for some performing Hajj or Umrah multiple times and suggested preventing this practice.