Hajj Commission Presses Government to Guarantee Safety of Umrah Pilgrims
BRUTAL and deadly attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran last Saturday (28 February) have shocked the world.
Due to mounting tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel in the Middle East, thousands of Indonesian umrah pilgrims are at risk of being unable to return home according to schedule. Hajj Commission Chairman Mustolih Siradj has urged the government to guarantee the safety and security of umrah pilgrims amid an unpredictable military situation.
According to data from the Computerised System for the Management of Umrah and Special Hajj (SISKOPATUH), 58,873 Indonesian umrah pilgrims are currently still in Saudi Arabia.
“In the midst of an unpredictable military situation, the government must adopt measured policies and steps, particularly in guaranteeing the safety and security of pilgrims from the effects of ongoing and unpredictable military conflict,” said Mustolih on Monday (3 March).
He emphasised that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, as the lead sector for organising umrah worship, needs to take proactive and initiative-driven steps by strengthening cross-sectoral coordination.
“Particularly for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as the lead sector in organising umrah worship, it is necessary to take initiative steps and actively cooperate and communicate intensively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, airlines, PPIU (Umrah Travel Operators), hajj and umrah associations, and of course with Saudi Arabian authorities,” he said.
Mustolih also emphasised the importance of developing mitigation and emergency measures should the situation worsen and air routes remain unopened, allowing umrah pilgrims to return home.
“If conditions in the Middle East deteriorate further, conflict continues, and air routes do not open, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah must prepare mitigation and contingency measures by establishing an information centre as a crisis centre and if necessary providing temporary shelter for umrah pilgrims whilst preparing their retrieval and return to Indonesia,” he stressed.
According to him, such steps are vital given the varying financial capabilities and logistical preparation levels of pilgrims. Many umrah pilgrims travel with limited funds in accordance with their initial travel plans.
“Likewise with the capacity of travel operators, and amongst the thousands of umrah pilgrims there are also those conducting independent umrah without using travel agency services,” Mustolih explained.
The Hajj Commission also appealed to pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia to follow all official government instructions and information. Meanwhile, prospective pilgrims scheduled to depart shortly are advised to postpone their departure until the situation becomes completely stable.
Parliamentary members including Selly Andriany Gantina from Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives have requested the government prepare repatriation schemes for Indonesian umrah pilgrims.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to closely monitor the security of 58,873 Indonesian umrah pilgrims amid the escalation of Middle East conflict.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the number of Indonesian umrah pilgrims exceeded 547,000.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to strengthen oversight of umrah worship operations as a manifestation of state presence in protecting pilgrims’ rights.