Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Assures Safety of 1,415 West Nusa Tenggara Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has affirmed that all Umrah pilgrims from the region currently in Saudi Arabia remain in safe condition, despite the continuing tensions in the Middle East.

The Head of Kemenhaj NTB Regional Office, Lalu Muhammad Amin, explained that pilgrims performing worship in the Holy Land remain properly secured. “As of today there are 1,415 people, and 43 are scheduled to return on Monday (2 March),” he said in Mataram on Tuesday (3 March).

Amin added that Kemenhaj NTB continues to monitor pilgrims both during their worship and upon their return to Indonesia. “We constantly update data and information regarding pilgrims who will depart or return. God willing, as long as flights are conducted directly, they will not be delayed there,” he stated.

He assured that the 1,415 Umrah pilgrims from NTB in Saudi Arabia will return according to the predetermined schedule. “So it is controlled. Thank God, the flight situation in Jeddah is safe and manageable,” Amin clarified.

Regarding flight routes, Amin could not guarantee whether all pilgrims would use direct routes from Jakarta to Jeddah, but he emphasised that no pilgrims would pass through conflict zones. “Flights from Jeddah to Jakarta, if conducted directly, pose no problem. Except for some neighbouring Middle Eastern countries that have indeed closed their airports,” he said.

For pilgrims forced to use connecting flights, rescheduling will be handled by the airline. “In essence, we are currently requested to continue coordinating with Umrah Travel Organisers (PPUI) and airline operators,” Amin said.

Additionally, Kemenhaj NTB has established coordination with the Hajj and Umrah Affairs Office (KUH) in Jeddah and the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to monitor pilgrim departure and return schedules.

Amin urged pilgrims to remain calm and not panic. Regarding reports of Umrah postponements, coordination with Kemenhaj and Saudi Arabian authorities continues. “We urge everyone to remain calm and continue communicating according to the situation and circumstances. Communication can be conducted with PPUI or the travel agency that arranged the journey. Subsequently, they will coordinate with airline operators and the KUH in Saudi Arabia,” he said.