Middle East Conflict Feared to Disrupt Hajj Pilgrimage Operations

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) in West Sumatra has expressed concerns that the conflict occurring in the Middle East region could disrupt the hajj pilgrimage process scheduled for 1447 Hijri/2026.

“The Middle East conflict not only impacts umrah, but we are also concerned it could disrupt the hajj pilgrimage that we are scheduled to perform in the near future,” said M. Rifki, Head of the Regional Office (Kanwil) of Kemenhaj West Sumatra, in Padang City on Monday.

M. Rifki stated that prospective hajj pilgrims from the Padang Embarkation will begin entering accommodation facilities on 23 April, with scheduled departure to Saudi Arabia the following day. The departure schedule is hoped to proceed without changes amidst the current tensions and escalating situation in the Middle East.

The Padang Hajj Embarkation comprises 14 flight groups (kloter), with 11 kloter scheduled for the first wave and the remaining three kloter for the second wave. In addition to West Sumatra, the embarkation will also send prospective pilgrims from Bengkulu Province.

“This is a calamity for all of us; we hope that the problems in the Middle East do not drag on, as the impact would be extraordinary on the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage,” he said.

For the 1447 Hijri/2026 hajj season, the Padang Hajj Embarkation will dispatch 5,244 prospective pilgrims. The breakdown includes 3,900 individuals from West Sumatra (Ranah Minang) and 1,344 from Bengkulu Province.