Dozens of Tajik pilgrims stranded in Dushanbe

Tens of pilgrims do not know when they will be able to go on Hajj because the Committee for Religious Affairs, Regulation of National Traditions, Celebrations, and Rituals of Tajikistan, which has monopolized the sending of pilgrims for Hajj, has failed to organize the trip properly.

According to media reports, on June 22, dozens of pilgrims from various cities and regions of the country gathered in front of the Committee for Religious Affairs building in Dushanbe. They stated that they had fulfilled all the requirements of this committee, paid for the Hajj, but still do not know when they will be sent to Saudi Arabia.

According to media reports, the pilgrims were supposed to have already departed for the Islamic holy sites, but have been in Dushanbe for five days and do not understand why the staff of the Committee for Religious Affairs have not informed them when they will be sent for Hajj.

The official representative of the Committee for Religious Affairs, Afshin Mukim, told Radio Ozodi that the problem with sending the pilgrims arose due to delays in flights by the Saudi airline Flynas.

“This has caused concern among the pilgrims. They gathered here today to find out when they or their relatives will go to the Islamic holy sites,” he said.

The cost of Hajj in Tajikistan is considered one of the highest in the region. Officially, the cost of Hajj this year for each pilgrim is 59,000 somoni, or 5,350 dollars.

However, social media users complain that in addition to the official 59,000 somoni, officials are demanding additional payments for registering these pilgrims, moving up in line, subscribing to government newspapers and magazines, and other expenses.

For example, user Rahmatjon Mirboboev writes:

“In the Bobodjon Gafurov district, the deputy chairman of the district, Akbar Yusufi, collected an additional 10,000 somoni from each pilgrim under the pretext of improvement, in addition to the 59,000 somoni. It is unknown where this money has gone, of course, the people will demand answers.”

Many users also doubt the honesty and transparency of the staff of the Committee for Religious Affairs.

“Maybe someone has embezzled the money of these poor pilgrims?,” questions Hamid Habibov.

According to the schedule of the Committee for Religious Affairs, the last group of pilgrims was supposed to depart for Hajj on June 23, but the committee’s leadership has not yet announced when the pilgrims will be sent to Mecca.

In countries where human rights are respected, the government is obliged to ensure the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and in such cases, governments apologize to citizens for the inconveniences. Airlines and other responsible organizations also compensate passengers for each hour of flight delay.

However, in the current realities of Tajikistan, where an autocratic regime rules the country, the Committee on Religious Affairs, which acts as a government representative in sending pilgrims to Hajj, at least does not provide timely and reliable information. The leadership of the committee does not inform when exactly the pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia. The Committee on Religious Affairs also does not report whether pilgrims from other cities and regions have been provided with accommodation, hot meals, and everything necessary in the capital.