KUH Jeddah lobbies to enable umrah pilgrims to return home without additional costs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Hajj Office (KUH) in Jeddah stated it is continuing coordination with travel agencies and Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure umrah pilgrims stranded due to regional escalation can return home quickly without bearing additional costs.

“We are continuing to seek the best solutions through intensive coordination with various parties, so pilgrims can return to their homeland safely and comfortably,” said Ilham Effendy, Technical Staff for Hajj at the Jeddah Indonesian Hajj Office, in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Ilham stated that KUH Jeddah is facilitating communication and coordination with airlines, travel organisers, and relevant authorities to assist the smooth process of pilgrims’ return.

Several umrah participants have experienced flight rescheduling, particularly those with transit packages to several countries in the region. Some have also experienced flight cancellations.

Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah urged prospective umrah pilgrims scheduled to depart to the Holy Land in the near future to postpone their departure due to increasingly dynamic and uncertain security conditions in West Asia.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak emphasised that this appeal represents the government’s caution in ensuring the safety of its citizens.

“Considering the unstable Middle Eastern conditions and escalating tensions, we urge umrah pilgrims scheduled to depart in the near future to postpone their departure,” said the Deputy Minister.

The government also asked umrah pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia and their families in the country to remain calm and not panic.