Tajikistan Introduces Hajj Uniform

Dushanbe will no longer send its citizens on the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca wearing the humble white robes of pilgrims from all corners of the Islamic world. Instead, according to RFE/RL, starting next month pilgrims from Tajikistan will look more like Olympic athletes representing their homeland.

It seems Tajik pilgrims will stand out from the crowd when the annual hajj pilgrimage begins in Mecca next month.

A new hajj uniform has been designed by Tajikistan's Committee for Religious Affairs and will soon be distributed to the country's 5,500 prospective pilgrims.

Men will don two-piece suits, while women wear long-sleeved dresses complete with head scarves, committee officials told local media.

The Tajik hajj uniform is embroidered with the country's symbols, possibly the nation's flag or coat of arms, religious officials said.

The inscription of the country's name, in Latin letters, will be prominently seen on women's head scarves and men's shirt pockets.

The garments come with matching suitcases.

The uniforms cost $50 per person (teachers in Tajikistan only make about $70 per month). The underlying question, however profane, is: Who is profiting off this scheme?