Dozens of Umrah Pilgrims Sent to Mecca Despite US and Iran Still at War

The head of the Bandung Barat Regency office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj), Enjah Sugiarto, said that the intensifying escalation in the Middle East has not affected the departure of prospective Umrah pilgrims from Bandung Barat, West Java. There were two departure schedules for Umrah pilgrims in early March 2026. First, 33 people were flown to the Holy City of Mecca on 2 March 2026 and 11 people on 6 March 2026. “They have departed according to schedule. They are now in the Holy Land,” Enjah said when contacted on Saturday (7 March 2026). Enjah explained that the departure of dozens of Umrah pilgrims in March could not be cancelled because tickets have been issued and accommodation booked. In addition, there has been no disruption to direct flights from Jakarta to Saudi Arabia despite the escalation in the Middle East. “From the information we have received, the March Umrah departures planned as direct flights from Jakarta to Jeddah have no flight problems,” Enjah said. Flights that are indirect or require a transit were reported to be affected by the escalation in the Middle East. Enjah confirmed that so far, Umrah pilgrims from Bandung Barat are being flown directly from Jakarta to Jeddah. “What is problematic are those flights that transit first, Jakarta–Dubai, then to Jeddah. Bandung Barat’s schedule in the next few days is largely direct,” he added. To ensure the safety of the Umrah pilgrims, Kemenhaj Bandung Barat coordinates with the Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU). Additionally, Kemenhaj Bandung Barat also urged prospective Hajj pilgrims who have not printed their tickets to postpone their departure. “Alhamdulillah, the Umrah pilgrims who are already in the Holy Land are in a safe condition. We are coordinating with PPIU within our authority,” Enjah said.