Middle East Escalation: Indonesian Hajj Ministry Urges Umrah Pilgrims to Postpone
The Middle East is engulfed in conflict as war erupts between the United States and Israel against Iran. Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has appealed to Indonesian citizens to postpone umrah pilgrimages for safety reasons.
“We wish to advise all umrah pilgrims intending to depart in the near future to postpone their departures temporarily until conditions in the Middle East truly stabilise,” stated Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak in an Instagram post from Kemenhaj on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
This measure is necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of all Indonesian citizens performing umrah in Saudi Arabia. Umrah pilgrims currently in the Holy Land are advised to maintain continuous coordination with hajj offices, consulates, and the Indonesian government in Saudi Arabia.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prepared to facilitate and provide adequate information and protection for pilgrims in the Holy Land and to ensure that airlines, hotels, and other entities protect and facilitate all pilgrim needs in the Holy Land,” he said.
Dahnil appealed to families remaining in Indonesia to remain calm, assuring them that the Indonesian government remains focused on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
“For pilgrims who are about to return to Indonesia, continue communicating with your travel agents or, if you are an independent umrah pilgrim, continue coordinating with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” Dahnil clarified.
Dahnil explained that should airlines delay return flights, they have committed to providing temporary accommodation. “Visa extensions are also being provided by the Saudi Arabian government should visas expire, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will support all return arrangements,” he noted.
Dahnil confirmed that preparations for the 2026 hajj pilgrimage are proceeding as planned. He stated that the Middle East conflict has not significantly impacted the planning and preparation process for the 2026 hajj.
“Hopefully the 2026 hajj pilgrimage can proceed smoothly without impact from the Middle East conflict, and the regional tensions will ease in the near future,” Dahnil concluded.
As noted, the United States and Israel conducted strikes against Iran on Saturday, 28 February, targeting Iranian cities. Multiple bombs reportedly fell on Supreme Leader Khamenei’s residential complex in Tehran, killing Khamenei and several Iranian military officials in the strike.
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes against the United States and Israel. These retaliatory attacks have affected several Middle Eastern countries including Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which host American military bases or assets.