Prabowo: Hajj Pilgrims Will Still Depart Unless Banned by Saudi Arabia

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the Hajj for 1447 Hijriah or 2026 CE will continue amid unrest in the West Asia region. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that Prabowo ordered him to ensure the Hajj’s implementation while prioritising the safety of the pilgrims.

“President Prabowo said yesterday, ‘As long as there is no statement of no departure from the Saudi government, Insyaallah Indonesia will still carry out or send its Hajj pilgrims’,” Irfan said at the Presidential Staff Office, in the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

Irfan also assured that the Ministry of Hajj is focusing on the security and safety of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land.

He stated that this security includes the journey from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and back, as well as safety during worship. In addition, the government is ensuring logistical security to support the pilgrims’ activities.

This Gerindra Party politician explained that the 2026 Hajj implementation begins with pilgrims gathering at the assembly point on 21 April.

The following day, on 22 April, the first wave of Hajj pilgrims will be flown from the homeland. The first wave will be sent to Madinah before proceeding to Mekkah. “The President is expected to have time to see off the first group of Hajj pilgrims on 22 April,” said Irfan.

Meanwhile, the second wave is planned to begin flying on 7 May to Jeddah, then continuing to Mekkah.

Irfan targets all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to be in the Holy Land by 21 May 2026. “The Hajj peak is estimated on 25 to 26 May in Arafah,” said Irfan.

Meanwhile, the first stage of the operational repatriation of Hajj pilgrims begins on 1 June. This repatriation process will be carried out in stages and is scheduled to end on 1 July 2026.