Ministry of Hajj and Umrah affirms state guarantees and protects umrah pilgrims stranded returning home

The Regional Office (Kanwil) of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) in West Sumatra (Sumbar) has affirmed that the state guarantees and protects umrah pilgrims currently stranded or prevented from returning to Indonesia, following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East region.

“Clearly, the state is present. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has an office in Saudi Arabia called the Hajj Affairs Office,” said Acting Head of Kemenhaj Sumbar, M. Rifki, in Padang City on Monday.

This statement was made by the Head of Kemenhaj Sumbar regarding 2,500 to 3,000 umrah pilgrims from the Minangkabau region who remain stranded in Saudi Arabia following recent conflict in the Middle East region.

“So when there are umrah pilgrims who may be unable to return, it will be handled by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia through the Hajj Affairs Office,” he said.

However, to prevent undesired incidents, the government through Kemenhaj RI and Kemenhaj Sumbar has appealed to travel operators and prospective umrah pilgrims to suspend departures to the Holy Land until an unspecified deadline.

Regarding the 2,500 umrah pilgrims still stranded in Saudi Arabia, Rifki stated that these thousands of pilgrims are scheduled to return or arrive at Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman District, on 5 March 2026.