The Committee on Religious Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan of Tajikistan (CRA) has issued a statement urging the country's residents to go on Hajj only through legal channels and to refrain from attempts to enter Mecca and other holy sites without permission.

According to the CRA, Saudi Arabia has warned that individuals participating in Hajj-2025 without permission will face "severe fines."

"From April 29 until the end of Hajj, people attempting to illegally enter Mecca, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah will be fined US$5,400 (equivalent to 20,000 riyals).  For those who assist in the illegal arrival of people in Mecca or other holy sites through visa arrangements, transportation, shelter, or aiding violators of Hajj regulations, a fine of US$27,000 (100,000 riyals) will be imposed," the statement says.

It is also noted that individuals who stay illegally in Mecca will be deported and banned from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years if detained.  Additionally, vehicles used to transport these individuals will be confiscated by court decision.

Those detained for illegally accommodating pilgrims in hotels or other places in Mecca will also be fined $27,000.

The CRA once again strongly urges Tajik citizens not to go on Hajj through foreign companies this year to avoid problems and not lose the opportunity to complete the pilgrimage.

According to some sources, the Hajj period this year is expected to fall between Wednesday, June 4, 2025, and Monday, June 9, 2025.

This year, the cost of Hajj for Tajikistanis is 56,800 somonis (over $5,000).

It should be noted that the new Saudi rules apply only to the Hajj, while performing Umrah remains unrestricted.

Meanwhile...

Several Tajik citizens who went on Umrah this year through Uzbek companies and were stranded in Mecca due to fraud have returned to Tajikistan.  They are demanding compensation from the service companies that failed to fulfill their obligations and left them in a difficult situation in Saudi Arabia. Their stay in Mecca lasted nearly 20 days, and they had to cover all expenses during this period.  Some of them reported that they had to pay extra for their return, while others claim they were repatriated by the authorities of Uzbekistan.

Last week, the authorities of Uzbekistan announced the return of 580 pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia, including Tajik citizens.  Several charter flights were organized to bring them back.