Dilemma of Safety and Industry Stability: Practitioners Highlight Impact of Umrah Postponement
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have intensified following Israel-US military strikes against Iran on 28 February. In response, the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, issued a temporary moratorium on umrah pilgrim departures effective 1 March 2026.
Hajj and umrah practitioner and observer, H. Muhammad Hidir Andi Saka, characterises the policy as a dilemmatic measure requiring proportional handling. Whilst pilgrim safety remains the paramount priority, the decision carries significant economic consequences for the umrah travel industry.
Hidir commends the government’s decision as a demonstration of state responsibility in protecting its citizens amid uncertain circumstances. “The safety of pilgrims’ lives is the highest law. Forcing departures without security guarantees in airspace or on the ground represents an unacceptable risk,” he states.
However, he cautions of severe cascading effects on Umrah Travel Operators (PPIU). By the time the postponement directive was issued, most operational processes were already underway, including payments to Saudi Arabian vendors. Large sums of pilgrim funds have been deposited, with many contractual components being non-refundable or subject to substantial penalties.
Umrah visa fees processed through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs typically cannot be recovered. Similarly, hotel contracts in Makkah and Madinah, ground transportation, and airline ticket commitments—particularly during peak seasons—often impose stringent cancellation penalties. This places PPIU operators in an untenable position: obliged to comply with government policy whilst facing significant financial losses.
Hidir, who manages PPIU operator PT Fahira Arafah Utama, urges the Ministry of Religious Affairs to undertake extraordinary diplomatic channels with Saudi Arabian authorities. He proposes direct government-to-government communication with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to secure special provisions, including penalty-free visa cancellations and discretionary relief from hotels and airlines allowing full refunds or rescheduling without additional charges. Additionally, he advocates for legal and financial protection mechanisms for PPIU operators to shield them from unilateral losses in force majeure situations.
“We require written legal and technical certainty to transparently explain this situation to pilgrims whilst preventing potential disputes,” he emphasises.
Hidir stresses that whilst umrah represents a sacred spiritual journey, a complex business ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders operates behind it. “The solution required is not merely saving lives, but also preserving the sustainability of the umrah pilgrimage ecosystem,” he concludes.
He expresses hope that Middle Eastern tensions will swiftly diminish, allowing pilgrims to safely perform their religious obligations while maintaining industry stability. Several thousand umrah pilgrims have already safely returned to Indonesia. The national aviation authority has maintained that international flights, including umrah pilgrimages, continue operating normally. The Hajj National Commission Chairperson has urged the government to guarantee umrah pilgrim security and safety, while Members of Parliament’s Commission VIII have called for the Indonesian embassy network in the Middle East to take emergency measures immediately.