KUALA LUMPUR, January 26. /Dunyo IA/.  In 2026, the tourism organisations AFUH (ASEAN Federation of Umrah and Hajj) and HUITM (Hajj and Umrah International Travel Market) plan to host a series of international Hajj and Umrah exhibitions across six countries, including Uzbekistan and Malaysia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing “Bernama” Information Agency. 

The Federation of Umrah and Hajj of ASEAN Countries (AFUH), together with the Hajj and Umrah International Travel Market (HUITM), plans to hold the “HUITM 2026” International Pilgrimage Exhibitions as a strategic initiative to strengthen cooperation in Islamic tourism and expand international industry links, “Bernama” reports.

Speaking at a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur, President of the ASEAN Federation of Umrah and Hajj (AFUH), Mohd Khalid Harun, said that the “HUITM 2026” International Pilgrimage Exhibitions will be staged in six countries in 2026, with Malaysia selected as the first host location. According to the “Bernama” information agency, the roadshow is scheduled to begin in Kuala Lumpur on 18 June, followed by events in Indonesia on 23 June and in Uzbekistan on 27-28 June. The series will continue in Morocco on 2 July, in Türkiye on 11–12 July and will conclude in Kazakhstan on 13 September.

Representatives of the organising team for “HUITM 2026”, Karomidin Gadoev, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia; Sherzod Sami, President of the Association of Umrah Private Travel Companies of Uzbekistan (UZSAA) and other officials also took part in the press conference.

According to “Bernama”, it was noted that “HUITM 2026” will serve as a platform to showcase the pilgrimage tourism potential of Uzbekistan and other participating countries and to expand business ties among Hajj and Umrah tour operators, hotels, halal restaurants and airlines.

At the press conference in Kuala Lumpur, President of the ASEAN Federation of Umrah and Hajj (AFUH), Mohd Khalid Harun, underscored that Uzbekistan possesses tremendous potential in the field of pilgrimage (ziyarat) tourism and could emerge as a key strategic partner for Malaysian Hajj and Umrah tour operators in Central Asia. “Through this platform, we are committed to developing cooperation with associations and tour operators from Uzbekistan”, - he said.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the first time between “AFUH” and the Association of Umrah Travel Agencies of Uzbekistan (UZSAA) to strengthen collaboration in pilgrimage tourism, according to “Bernama” Information Agency. The agreement lays the groundwork for enhanced cooperation and joint initiatives aimed at expanding pilgrimage travel offerings and facilitating deeper industry ties between the region’s stakeholders.