Middle East Tensions: Pilgrims Urged to Defer Umrah Trips to Saudi Arabia

SEMARANG — The Head of the Central Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Fitriyanto, has urged prospective umrah pilgrims, particularly from Central Java, to postpone their departure to Saudi Arabia. This advisory responds to the escalating situation in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

“We reiterate the advisory from the central Ministry of Hajj, from the Deputy Minister, for pilgrims departing in the near term to defer their travel given the escalation in the Middle East,” Fitriyanto said when contacted by Republika on Monday, 2 March 2026.

He urged pilgrims to immediately coordinate with their respective travel agencies. “The travel agencies will then coordinate with airlines and entities in Saudi Arabia. So when the situation has settled, the timing for departure will be determined without any pilgrims suffering losses,” he explained.

Fitriyanto acknowledged that he did not yet know the average monthly number of Central Java pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. “Regarding this Middle East escalation, we will collect data from travel agencies operating in Central Java. We will create a Google Form for them to complete, estimating how many pilgrims from each travel agency are currently in Saudi Arabia and what their condition is,” he said.

“We urge pilgrims already there to maintain coordination with airlines and their travel agencies, and for travel agencies to coordinate with the hajj affairs office in Jeddah,” Fitriyanto added.

He called on umrah travel agencies to provide optimal service so as not to disadvantage pilgrims, especially those currently in Saudi Arabia. “I pray this resolves quickly. It is unfortunate for the people and residents in the Middle East if the conflict extends. This is a humanitarian disaster. We pray this does not drag on,” Fitriyanto said.