58,000 Indonesian Pilgrims Threatened With Inability to Return Home, What's Happening?

The situation in the Middle East has become tense following air strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. These circumstances have forced several airports to close and flights to and from the Middle East to be cancelled, as a result of which thousands of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims are threatened with being unable to return to the country.

According to data from the Computerised System for Managing Hajj and Special Umrah (SISKOPATUH), currently 58,873 Indonesian Umrah pilgrims remain in Saudi Arabia.

The Director General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Puji Raharjo, confirmed that the government is continuously monitoring the regional situation closely.

“We urge all Umrah pilgrims not to panic. Remain calm and continue coordinating with your respective Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU) to obtain official and up-to-date information,” said Puji Raharjo in a written statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Communications Bureau in Jakarta on Saturday evening.

Puji emphasised that pilgrim safety is the top priority. He also assured that his ministry continues to coordinate with the Hajj Affairs Office (KUH), the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, and the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh to ensure that every development in the field can be promptly addressed.

“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure that the security and safety of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims remain the top priority,” he stressed.

According to AFP, on Sunday 1 March 2026, approximately 966 or 22.9 per cent of the total 4,218 flights scheduled to land in Middle Eastern countries on Saturday were cancelled.

Airlines cancelling flights to and from the Middle East include Garuda Indonesia, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines.