On May 12, 2018 Chinese delegation headed by Hasan Yang Fa Ming, Chairman of Islamic Union of China visited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan. The guests were received by Sheikh Abdulaziz Mansur, Deputy Chairman of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan who opened the meeting with introductory speech about positive development in the religious sphere in our country.
In its turn Mr. Hasan Yang Fa Ming noted that there were more than 50 different nationalities living in China, among 30 million Muslims in China there were Uzbek, Uyghur, Huey, Kazak, Tatar, Tajik, Dunsyan, Salar, Boan and other nationalities. Almost half of Chinese live in Sinzhan-Uygur autonomous region. There are 30 thousand mosques and 10 Islamic educational establishments. Chinese government pays equal attention to all religious representations and their activity is coordinated by the Committee for religious affairs. Islamic religious organizations are run by Chinese Islamic Association. This organization has more than 70 employees. Fetwas (religious relics) are based on Hanafi mazkhab with Moturidi creed. 99% of Chinese Muslims follow Hanafi mazkhab. Mr. Hasan Yang also mentioned that Chinese Muslims were pleased to see Uzbek delegation in the International Islamic Symposium held in Urumchi in 2016. The Chairman of Islamic Union of China expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, showed his readiness for partnership and cordially invited Muslim Board of Uzbekistan to visit China.
Nuriymon Abulhasan, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the Religious Affairs and Firdavs Halilov, Deputy Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization also made informative speeches about the scope of activities carried out in the religious sphere.
The sides exchanged with gifts.
Press Service,
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
Umrah entry visas now valid for one month instead of three from issuance date.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reduced the validity period for Umrah entry visas from three months to one month from issuance date, though the permitted stay duration remains unchanged at three months after arrival.
The new regulations take effect next week (November 1, 2025) amid a record-breaking Umrah season that has already seen over four million visas issued to foreign pilgrims.
Under the updated system, Umrah visas will automatically cancel if pilgrims fail to enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance.
The three-month allowance for staying in the Kingdom after arrival remains unaffected, preserving pilgrims’ flexibility once they enter the country.
Ahmed Bajaeifer, advisor at the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, confirmed the changes to prepare for expected pilgrim increases following summer’s end and cooler temperatures in Mecca and Medina.
The current Umrah season, beginning in early June, has achieved unprecedented numbers with four million foreign pilgrims arriving within just five months. This volume surpasses previous full-season totals, demonstrating growing global demand for Umrah pilgrimage opportunities.