Middle East Tensions: Ministry of Hajj Urges Umrah Pilgrims to Postpone Departures
Indonesia’s government, through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj), has formally urged prospective umrah pilgrims to postpone their scheduled departures to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia in the near term.
This precautionary measure has been implemented due to security instability in the Middle East region stemming from conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak emphasised that this postponement advisory was issued as a precaution by the state to prioritise the safety and security of Indonesian citizens.
“Taking into account the unstable conditions in the Middle East and the escalating tensions, we are advising umrah pilgrims who were planning to depart in the near future to postpone their journeys,” said Dahnil Anzar in Jakarta on Sunday, 1 March.
Furthermore, umrah pilgrims currently performing their pilgrimage have been reminded to maintain continued coordination with the hajj office, the Consul General, and Indonesian Government representatives in Saudi Arabia.
Dahnil also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prepared to facilitate and provide sufficient information and protection for pilgrims performing their worship in the Holy Land.
The Indonesian government will ensure that airlines, hotels and other service providers protect and facilitate all pilgrim requirements in the Holy Land.
The Deputy Minister urged families remaining in Indonesia to remain calm, as the government remains focused on ensuring the security and comfort of pilgrims currently performing their worship in Saudi Arabia.
“For pilgrims who will soon return to Indonesia, continue communicating with your travel agent, and those undertaking independent umrah should maintain coordination with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” explained Dahnil.
According to data from the Computerised System for Managing Umrah and Special Hajj (SISKOPATUH), 58,873 Indonesian umrah pilgrims are currently registered in Saudi Arabia.
The government is ensuring that these tens of thousands of pilgrims remain under strict monitoring. The Director-General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Puji Raharjo, has also called on pilgrims and their families in Indonesia to remain calm and not panic.
“We urge all umrah pilgrims not to panic. Remain calm and continue coordinating with your respective Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU) to obtain official and up-to-date information,” said Puji Raharjo in a written statement from the Ministry’s press office in Jakarta on Saturday, 28 February evening.
The Ministry is maintaining active communication with the Hajj Affairs Office (KUH), the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, and the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh to ensure that any developments in the field can be promptly acted upon.
Regarding the preparation of the 1447 H/2026 M hajj pilgrimage, the government has confirmed that there is currently no impact on the ongoing preparations.