Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Records Decline in Departing Pilgrims Amid Middle East Tensions

Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has recorded a decline in the number of umrah pilgrims departing due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. The ministry noted that Indonesian pilgrims are considering safety in their travel decisions.

“Our data does show a decline in departures because people are considering safety and the dynamics of the conflict,” said Deputy Minister of Hajj Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Dahnil stated that the government is urging citizens to temporarily postpone travel to Saudi Arabia, emphasising that the government prioritises citizen safety.

“One of the recommendations from the foreign ministry is indeed to urge postponement of departures, because the state’s orientation is naturally the safety of its citizens, because anything can happen. We do not know how the escalation of conflict in the Middle East will develop, as the situation is highly dynamic and changes at any moment,” he said.

Dahnil noted that approximately 43,000 Indonesian pilgrims are currently performing umrah in Saudi Arabia. He clarified that this figure does not represent stranded pilgrims but rather those actively engaged in their pilgrimage.

“The umrah pilgrims currently there number about 43,000, and these are not stranded, they are performing umrah. That’s about 43,000, according to the latest data,” he explained.

Dahnil mentioned that previously around 2,000 pilgrims experienced delayed returns due to suspended flights. He stated that many of them have since successfully returned to Indonesia.

“As for those who were previously stranded, I don’t have precise data and haven’t received an update, but they eventually returned because some had been left stranded. There were around 2,000 who departed,” he said.

He noted that most cases of pilgrims delayed abroad occurred due to connecting flights. According to him, direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia continue to operate normally.

“Most of the stranded or failed return cases were typically those on connecting flights. When there are direct flights, they usually manage to depart directly. With connecting flights and expensive ticket prices, many were forced to stay temporarily to find affordable tickets,” he concluded.