A small village with a non-Uzbek name "Shröder" is located on both sides of the highway between Fergana and ancient Kuva, the birthplace of the scholar al-Fergani. It was here that I witnessed the preparations for welcoming back a local resident, an elderly woman, from her Umrah pilgrimage. Let's call her Sharofat-opa.
Driving by and becoming an accidental witness to the ongoing preparations, I immediately became interested—I had never seen anything like it before. They welcomed me very warmly and allowed me to capture the process of preparing for the event.
Preparations begin early in the morning: they will welcome the wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and a neighbor who is highly respected by the family and all the villagers, who also have a holiday today. Numerous relatives gather at Umra-haji's house. Outside are the neighbors.
First, I'm invited into the house. A large courtyard, where a separate area was allocated for cooking shurpa and pilaf, buzzes with activity. The cooking is handled by male chefs, with the women assisting. There are very many children in the yard — as is always the case at a family celebration. 
Sharofat-apa's son went to Fergana in advance on this important day and waited for her at the airport. At the same time, a 1.5 km long path home is being prepared for her. It looks extraordinarily colorful. Everyone contributes what they can: neighbors bring out their kurpachas and blankets. Laying all this down as a path, they cover it with clean sheets. 
Right in front of the house, where the road ends, the women have already begun their festive dancing and are clapping their hands.
The car pulls up, and Sharofat-apa is first greeted by the women of the family—sisters, daughters, and granddaughters. The embraces are especially warm in this first moment. The young women repeatedly tried to prostrate themselves and kiss Sharofat-apa's feet, but she persistently stopped their attempts. She even had to raise her voice: reverent respect should not turn into worship, for one can bow one's head only before Allah.
Throughout the entire "Road of Honor", neighbors and children line up on both sides. Sharofat-apa and her relatives treat the villagers with the holy water of Zamzam, and they present bouquets.
About 200 meters from Sharofat-apa's house, they laid another "road" — opposite the house where the village elders live. The first thing it does is approach to greet them, as if sharing a blessing with the most worthy.
After this, the sons approach their mother. Sitting last at the entrance to the house is Sharofat-apa's husband. Upon meeting, both burst into tears—the husband tenderly congratulates Sharofat-apa. 
After this, all family members enter the house. From this moment, the neighbors quite briskly begin to dismantle their kurpachis and blankets, in order to follow and honor the heroine of the day in her house. 
In her courtyard, Sharofat-opa sits at a separate table with the elders. After the ceremonial dua, the Uzbek feast begins. Hearty dishes start being served, and a separate table is set for the children. 
Despite the ceremonial pomp of the preparations, the event does not last long, as Sharofat-opa is tired from the journey and needs to rest.
The tradition of sending the most respected person in the village for Umrah is particularly characteristic of villages, but I had to witness such an unusual and colorful ceremony for the first time. It is very important to mention that the funds for Sharofat-opa were collected by the entire village. This intertwines tribute to the older generation, personal aspirations, and hope for prosperity for everyone involved. And this prosperity is not divided but multiplied with every good wish and deed. Upon returning from Umrah, Sharofat-opa gained immense respect, part of which is the unconditional pride for a loved one and a sense of belonging to a landmark event.
And what struck me personally was that among the impressive crowd of neighbors and relatives, I didn't see a single envious face: every resident of Schröder rejoiced sincerely, as if welcoming their own mother.