Government Prepares Three Options for 2026 Hajj Operations Amid Iran-US-Israel Conflict
Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has prepared several scenarios for conducting the 2026 hajj pilgrimage amid the ongoing Iran versus US-Israel conflict. Pilgrim departures for this year are scheduled to commence on 22 April.
The first scenario involves proceeding with hajj pilgrim departures to the Holy Land despite high risks, contingent upon Saudi Arabia continuing to permit hajj operations. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that this could be implemented if the Kingdom maintains its hajj administration.
“For this scenario, we need to mitigate air routes to Saudi Arabia,” he said during a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives at the parliament complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
He explained that air route mitigation could be achieved by diverting flight routes away from conflict zones, including those in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Irfan noted that flight route diversions could also utilise the southern route via the Indian Ocean. “Or entry through East African airspace, or other safe routes,” he said.
However, he cautioned that mitigation measures involving flight route changes could extend travel duration considerably. “Of course, this would result in budget increases,” Irfan said.
The second scenario involves Indonesia cancelling pilgrim departures despite Saudi Arabian authorities maintaining 2026 hajj operations. Irfan stated this scenario could be considered with attention to security risks and pilgrim safety. “For this scenario, we would naturally need to conduct diplomacy through high-level negotiations with the Saudi Arabian government,” he said.
Irfan stated this diplomacy is necessary to ensure that funds already submitted for accommodation, meals, and transportation for hajj operations are not wasted if departures are cancelled. “Rather, these funds could be used for 2027 hajj operations without penalty,” he said.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is also preparing contingency measures against potential backlash from prospective pilgrims whose departures are cancelled under this scenario, including managing pilgrim psychological response. “In this regard, we together with the Indonesian Ulama Council will issue a fatwa or religious explanation regarding security constraints,” he said.
The fatwa would state that cancelling pilgrim departures for safety reasons is religiously obligatory. “This action could potentially generate negative narratives among pilgrims and society that view sending pilgrims as more important than personal security,” said this Gerindra Party politician.
The final scenario involves the Saudi Arabian government suspending 2026 hajj operations and Indonesia cancelling pilgrim departures. According to Irfan, this could occur if the situation resulting from the Iran and Israel-America conflict becomes uncontrollable. “For this scenario, we need to secure refunds of service funds already paid,” Irfan said.
Additionally, if this option is implemented, the government will halt all processes for providing accommodation, meals, transportation, pilgrimage guidance, and pilgrim visa processing. “Then, we will prioritise departures next year for pilgrims who have fully paid their hajj service fees and fall within the allocated departure quota,” he said. Irfan stated this could be done given that postponing this year’s hajj could potentially extend the waiting queue.