According to Tajik media, the head of the district, Rabim Gafurzoda, reported that this initiative was completely voluntary. It arose from the cooperation between local authorities and religious leaders. The people themselves made the decision about the donations, reaching out to the heads of their communities, without any pressure to abandon the Hajj or Umrah.
The funds raised will be used for road repairs, bridge construction, improving electricity supply, as well as developing kindergartens and other social facilities. Local authorities have been instructed to keep track of the receipts and provide reports on the expenditure of funds.
Recently, there has been a rise in such initiatives in Tajikistan, which is linked to President Emomali Rahmon's criticism of repeated pilgrimages. The president urges that funds be directed towards the development of educational and social projects in villages.
