Government Recommends Deferral of Umrah Pilgrimages Due to Middle East Situation
The Indonesian government has advised the public to temporarily defer departures for umrah pilgrimage following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East region.
The advisory was issued by Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak on Tuesday, 10 March, following his attendance at the National Commemoration of Nuzulul Quran 1448 Hijriyah/2026 Gregorian calendar at the State Palace in Jakarta.
“At present, regarding umrah departures, we are issuing an advisory to defer departure due to the escalation of conflict. We do not know how the situation will develop,” stated Simanjuntak.
According to Dahnil, the advisory represents a mitigation measure to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens travelling to the Holy Land.
Dahnil noted that the deferral advisory resulted from coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which continues to monitor the security situation in the region.
He stressed that the current conflict dynamics remain highly volatile, necessitating mitigation measures.
“The state’s priority is naturally the safety of its citizens, as we cannot predict how the escalation of the Middle East conflict will unfold,” he said.
On the other hand, the government continues to support Indonesian umrah pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, together with the Foreign Ministry and umrah travel operators, has been tasked with ensuring that pilgrims receive assistance and can return to Indonesia safely.
According to the latest data, approximately 43,000 Indonesian umrah pilgrims are currently performing the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue coordinating with airlines and relevant parties to ensure a smooth return process for the pilgrims.
The government has also noted a decline in the number of pilgrims departing for umrah following the issuance of the deferral advisory.
Dahnil views this decline as evidence of public caution in weighing safety considerations amid the developing conflict situation in the Middle East region.