{
  "id": 6202301,
  "title": "Indonesia, Uzbekistan Explore Stronger Religious Tourism Cooperation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/indonesia-uzbekistan-explore-stronger-religious-tourism-cooperation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T00:46:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2119138/indonesia-uzbekistan-explore-stronger-religious-tourism-cooperation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indonesia and Uzbekistan are seeking to strengthen their religious tourism cooperation, as highlighted by the visit of Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During this visit, Yusuf engaged with Governor Adiz Boboev to explore opportunities for bilateral ties and the development of religious tourism. The delegation discussed the possibility of establishing a direct flight route between the two nations, aiming to enhance tourist mobility and expand itineraries in Umrah travel packages. Yusuf emphasized the historic ties between the two countries, noting that the development of Islam in Indonesia was influenced by Central Asian clerics, including those from Uzbekistan. He also pointed out the growing trend of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims extending their travels to destinations such as Turkey, Dubai, and other Middle Eastern locations. To capitalize on this potential, Yusuf suggested that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah collaborate with Umrah travel agencies in Indonesia to promote Samarkand as an additional destination for Umrah pilgrims. Governor Boboev welcomed the initiative to bolster the Indonesia-Uzbekistan friendship, expressing optimism about increased tourist visits to key Muslim sites in Uzbekistan, particularly those associated with prominent Islamic scholars like Imam Bukhari, Imam al-Maturidi, Imam Tirmidhi, and Baha’ al-Din Naqshband.",
  "summary": "Indonesia explores direct flights and religious tourism cooperation with Uzbekistan to boost tourist mobility and expand umrah travel itineraries.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}