Menhaj Irfan Assures Hajj Journey 2026 Will Proceed as Scheduled Next Month

Amid an uncertain situation due to escalating Middle East conflicts following US-Israel attacks and Iran’s retaliation, Minister for Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf assured that the schedule for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims’ departure to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia this year remains as planned. If everything proceeds according to plan, he said, the departure of prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to the Holy Land will begin near the end of next month. “Up to now, it is still on schedule. Hopefully, until the departure on 22 April, there will be no changes,” he stated after attending the Return to Work event with the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) 2026 in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday (24/3), as quoted from Antara. He explained that there have been no disruptions to the preparations or the pilgrims’ departure schedule so far. According to him, all aspects of services, from accommodation to transportation, have been well prepared. From a funding perspective, he said, it is also ready to support as needed. He noted that direct flights to Saudi Arabia are still available and unaffected by the developing geopolitical situation. “We see no suspension of flights. Direct flights to Saudi Arabia are still operating. Hopefully, it remains safe,” he said. He explained that the Indonesian government is also continuously engaging in intensive communication with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to monitor the latest developments in the Middle East situation. “We are always communicating with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj team, and up to today, they have stated there are no changes to the schedule,” he said. Elderly pilgrims’ quota In addition, he said, the quota for elderly pilgrims remains based on the applicable provisions, namely five percent of the total Hajj quota. He also assured that Umrah pilgrimage operations continue safely, with strict supervision over the certainty of pilgrims’ return. His side has already gathered organisers to ensure that pilgrims who depart also return safely. The government hopes the situation remains conducive so that the entire series of Hajj 2026 arrangements can proceed smoothly.