Commission VIII Parliament on 2026 Hajj: No Indication of Conflict Disrupting Mecca
Abidin Fikri, Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, expressed optimism that the 2026 hajj pilgrimage will proceed as planned despite unresolved conflicts in the Middle East region. Abidin stated that to date there are no indications that Middle Eastern conflicts will disrupt the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
“We in Commission VIII continue to oversee the preparation of the 2026 hajj comprehensively, including regulatory, technical, and financing aspects, as well as planned readiness implemented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The public is asked to remain calm because there is no indication that conflict will disrupt the holy regions of Mecca and Medina,” Abidin told journalists on Wednesday, 1 March 2026.
Abidin stated that Commission VIII remains optimistic that 2026 hajj preparations will proceed smoothly as planned. He noted that there have been no prohibition notices from Saudi Arabian authorities such as those issued during the previous Covid-19 pandemic.
This politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) emphasised the importance of intensive communication between the Indonesian government and Saudi Arabian officials to ensure clarity of information for pilgrims.
“The government is strengthening coordination to anticipate all possibilities, whilst ensuring that pilgrim services remain optimal without reducing quotas or quality,” said Abidin.
“Commission VIII is committed to conducting strict oversight so that the hajj pilgrimage in the year 1447 H/2026 CE can improve services and be carried out safely and comfortably for all prospective Indonesian pilgrims,” he added.
Previously, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that 2026 hajj preparations remain on schedule. He said the hajj implementation is still proceeding according to schedule despite intensifying Middle Eastern conflicts.
“To this day our preparations remain on track. Our Saudi colleagues, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, also communicate that our preparations are going well. They are also preparing everything well,” said Minister Yusuf at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 1 March 2026.
He stated that the situation in the Holy Land remains good at present. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Hajj is preparing several scenarios to address the possibility of worst-case outcomes should the conflict continue.
“So to this day, we assume everything is proceeding well. The situation there will also improve. That is our assumption at present,” said the Minister.
“Today we remain on schedule. There are no changes yet. Praise be to God, hopefully this continues as it is,” he added.