Minister Ensures 2026 Hajj Pilgrimage Proceeds as Planned Amid Middle East Tensions

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Mochamad Irfan Yusuf has assured that the 2026 hajj pilgrimage remains on schedule in accordance with original plans.

Irfan confirmed that there have been no changes to the departure schedule for prospective hajj pilgrims amid intensifying Middle East conflicts.

“Today we are still on schedule. There have been no changes. Thank God. Hopefully this will continue,” Irfan said at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

Irfan assured that all preparations regarding the departure of prospective hajj pilgrims in 2026 remain on track. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to communicate regarding preparations for the pilgrimage implementation.

“We consider everything as on schedule. And we pray that this Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr will bring peace to us all, so that everything proceeds well,” he affirmed.

Irfan stressed that the primary consideration in conducting this year’s hajj is the security and safety of prospective pilgrims. The government will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East before dispatching Indonesian pilgrims.

“Of course we will observe developments there, and the decision will also be based on discussions and inputs from colleagues at the Foreign Ministry and others,” he said.

Additionally, he assured that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has prepared various contingency schemes regarding hajj departures amid Middle East conflicts.

“However, I think there is no need to expose these too much to prospective pilgrims. It might cause unnecessary alarm,” he added.