First Hajj Contingent to Depart on 22 April 2026, Safety as Priority
JAKARTA — The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has stated that the first contingent of Indonesian pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia on 22 April 2026.
Dahnil noted that this scenario will be implemented provided that the security situation in the Middle East guarantees the safety of pilgrims’ journey.
“If there is no change in scenario or the conflict escalates and it ensures the safety of Indonesian citizens departing on hajj, then 22 April is the departure date for the first hajj contingent,” Dahnil said at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta on Tuesday evening, 10 March 2026.
President Prabowo has directed the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Irfan Yusuf, to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
“The President’s instruction is clear—his focus is to ensure the safety of hajj pilgrims, that is the most important thing. So prepare various scenarios, the President’s directive is to prepare various scenarios with the primary orientation being to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens who will perform hajj next April,” Dahnil said.
Dahnil noted that four scenarios have already been prepared.
Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Hajj will communicate with Saudi Arabian hajj aviation authorities and the aviation authorities of various countries to consider flight routes.
“There are different routes, for instance via the southern corridor and there is also via Africa, which has been discussed by the DPR. The scenario is like what happened during Covid, for example, if it endangers pilgrims or threatens their safety, then the scenario to postpone could emerge if the safety of our citizens is threatened,” Dahnil said.
The Ministry of Hajj will also coordinate with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) first in accordance with Prabowo’s direction.
As is known, flights to and from the Middle East region have been shrouded in uncertainty following the war between Israel and the United States against Iran. This war began with missile strikes from Israel and the United States on Iran.
Several U.S. air bases that were attacked include Al-Udeid in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain.
As a result, numerous major airports in the Middle East that serve as transit hubs have been paralysed. The Ministry of Hajj noted that approximately 2,000 Indonesian pilgrims performing umrah were stranded and unable to return to the country as a result of these issues.