What’s Behind Central Asia’s Umrah Fever? – The Diplomat

As the holy month of Ramadan drew near, Tajikistan’s president expressed his concern about frequent hajj and umrah pilgrimages performed by Tajik citizens and the amount of money spent on them. “In 2023 alone, 63,000 citizens of the country undertook hajj and umrah ceremonies,” Emomali Rahmon said, altogether spending more than 1,200 billion somoni, or roughly $110 million, on such pilgrimages. He urged people to redirect their financial resources toward their families, building homes, and investing in their children’s education…