Impact of the Middle East Conflict: Government to Seek Relaxation of Umrah Pilgrims' Hotel Arrangements with Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said the government will coordinate with Saudi authorities regarding relaxation of hotel arrangements for Umrah pilgrims. Dahnil understands that the Saudi authorities have the jurisdiction to handle hotel relaxations for Umrah pilgrims. ‘We will discuss with the Saudi authorities about the hotels. Because hotels are under the supervision of the Saudi ministry,’ said Dahnil at Grand El Hajj Banten, on Tuesday (3/3/2026).

For this reason, PPIU will certainly suffer losses due to the escalation currently occurring in the Middle East. ‘They will certainly incur some losses because they have already booked hotels, booked airline tickets, and so on. And the situation cannot be predicted,’ he said.

Meanwhile, regarding flights, most foreign airlines provide refund options for pilgrims who have not yet departed or who are already in Saudi Arabia. For direct flights to Indonesia, airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Saudi Airlines are still operating. However, ticket prices are higher. This is the obstacle for Umrah pilgrims.

Dahnil said he had spoken with the President Director of Garuda Indonesia to provide price-relief for the fare so that Indonesian Umrah pilgrims can gradually return home to the homeland. ‘I told the Garuda CEO to provide replacement transport for our Umrah pilgrims who are refunding from foreign carriers. So they end up buying Garuda tickets to return. But the prices must be more economical,’ he added.