DPR Chair says hajj pilgrimage must proceed in 2026 amid geopolitical tensions

Jakarta — Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) Chair Puan Maharani has stated that the 2026 hajj pilgrimage must proceed as planned despite current global geopolitical tensions.

“Given this global geopolitical situation, all matters and issues related to religious worship must continue to be executed in the best possible manner,” Puan said following a plenary session at parliament in Jakarta on Thursday.

She emphasised that all parties involved in organising the hajj for prospective Indonesian pilgrims must conduct evaluations, mitigation measures, and contingency planning in response to the current situation in the Middle East.

“Naturally, the DPR through relevant commissions will conduct assessments, evaluations and take appropriate steps in line with the situation,” she stated.

According to Puan, the state must be able to provide safety and comfort for Indonesian hajj pilgrims as they carry out their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Security conditions in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, have been reported as safe and conducive. Umrah pilgrims currently in the region continue to perform their worship peacefully and without significant disruptions.

However, the escalation of Middle Eastern conflicts has impacted regional security stability and international air transport activities. Several countries in the region have closed their airspace, particularly routes that have traditionally served as primary flight paths for international traffic to the Gulf region.