Parliamentary Commission VIII Meets with Hajj Ministry to Discuss 2026 Hajj Preparations Amid Middle Eastern Conflict
Jakarta, Indonesia — Parliament’s Commission VIII convened a meeting with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to discuss preparations for the 2026 hajj pilgrimage amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
Ansory Siregar, Deputy Chair of Commission VIII, stated that the government must provide clarification regarding the steps to be taken for this year’s hajj implementation. He questioned whether the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had prepared contingency plans for potential cancellations of hajj departures in 2026.
Siregar also requested explanations concerning how the ministry would renegotiate the various service contracts that have been signed or paid for in connection with the hajj pilgrimage.
Consequently, Commission VIII has called for enhanced mitigation efforts specifically for hajj pilgrims departing to Saudi Arabia, including a review of aircraft routes and flight paths. Commission members expressed concern about emergency scenarios that could arise after pilgrims have already reached Saudi Arabia.
“Should an emergency situation occur after pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia, we need to anticipate and prepare appropriate responses,” Siregar stated during the meeting at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The government has prepared four contingency scenarios to address potential flight disruptions to Saudi Arabia resulting from Middle Eastern conflicts. According to officials, should security conditions permit, alternative flight routes would be activated.
The government has provisionally announced that the first batch of hajj departures for 2026 will commence on 22 April 2026. Officials indicated that this scenario would be implemented only if security conditions in the Middle East guarantee the safety of pilgrims’ travel.
“Provided there is no escalation of the conflict and conditions guarantee the safety of Indonesian citizens travelling for hajj, then 22 April will be the departure date for the first batch,” officials confirmed during a statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.