DPR Urges Government to Monitor Returns of Independent Umrah Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia

Indonesian lawmaker Selly Andriany Gantina of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives reminded the importance of ensuring the safety of independent Umrah pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia and affected by the Middle East conflict. ‘What must be monitored is the status of independent Umrah pilgrims,’ she said in a statement in Cirebon, West Java, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. She noted that the travel patterns of independent Umrah pilgrims require attention because departure and return patterns differ. According to her, some independent Umrah pilgrims may return home not via direct flights, but through transit countries. ‘They could return not via a direct flight to Indonesia, but by travelling through transit countries,’ she said. Given these travel patterns, she added, the government should coordinate with transit countries through Indonesian representations, through the Indonesian Embassy (KJRI) or Consulates General, especially in countries affected by conflict. Selly said the DPR is currently continuing to coordinate with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) to advocate for about 58,000 pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia.