Middle East Tensions Escalate as Kemenhaj Records 6,047 Umrah Pilgrims Returning Home

JAKARTA — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia has reported that 6,047 umrah pilgrims have returned home amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.

Spokesperson Ichsan Marsha said the repatriation process is proceeding in stages.

‘From 28 February to 1 March 2026, 6,047 pilgrims have safely returned home. The government continues to oversee this process so that all pilgrims can return in a staged and orderly manner,’ he said in a statement on Wednesday (4 March 2026).

Ichsan revealed that on Saturday, 28 February 2026, 4,200 umrah pilgrims returned home using 12 flights.

‘Prospective umrah pilgrims planned to depart before the Hajj season on 18 April 2026 amount to 43,363 people from 439 PPIUs,’ he said.

Kemenhaj ensures each Penyelenggara Perjalanan Ibadah Umrah (PPIU) fully fulfils its obligations, from departure, service while in Saudi Arabia, to the pilgrims’ repatriation.

‘That responsibility must not be neglected,’ he emphasised.

The government also urges that communication between PPIUs and the pilgrims be maintained effectively.

‘We urge the pilgrims and PPIUs to understand one another. The priority is to ensure all pilgrims remain safe, are cared for, and receive certainty,’ he added.

Kemenhaj, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also coordinating with Indonesia’s representatives abroad to ensure any issues facing pilgrims are addressed quickly and accurately.

‘We ask all pilgrims to remain calm and to follow official guidance,’ concluded Ichsan.