Saudi Situation Escalates, Central Java Haj and Umrah Office Says Pilgrimages Continue as Normal

SEMARANG — Fitriyanto, head of the Central Java provincial office of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, said no umrah trips by pilgrims from the province had been postponed so far. His remarks follow a series of air strikes by Yemen’s Houthi group on the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

“There have been no postponements so far,” Fitriyanto said on Tuesday (13 October 2026), when asked whether the worsening situation in Riyadh had affected umrah travel from Central Java.

He added that this was in line with the ministry’s policy. So far, no Indonesian umrah pilgrims have been affected by the escalation in Riyadh, he said. “All stages of the pilgrimage are proceeding as they should.”

Fitriyanto said he was still gathering information on how many pilgrims from Central Java had travelled to the Holy Land to perform umrah. Nevertheless, he urged pilgrims to remain vigilant.

He also advised pilgrims to limit travel outside Makkah and Madinah. “Avoid locations that may be at risk, and stay in active contact with your travel operator,” he said.

Fitriyanto called on all umrah travel organisers (PPIU) in Central Java to make pilgrims’ safety their priority. They must monitor pilgrims’ circumstances, provide assistance and promptly communicate any changes to schedules and the measures being taken in response.

“This includes ensuring that pilgrims can contact staff whenever they need help on the ground,” Fitriyanto said.

Yemen’s Houthi group launched an air strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday (10 October 2026). The attack killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds. Houthi air strikes continued on Sunday and Monday.

The Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh by the Houthi group on Monday. “The interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia towards Riyadh,” coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki wrote on his X account on Monday.

Several countries, particularly Arab states, have condemned the Houthi attacks on Riyadh.