Self-organised Umrah Pilgrims Rise Amid US–Israel–Iran War, More Flexible to Change Flights
Independent Umrah pilgrims are still on the rise despite the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran affecting a number of flights. Eaz Eryanda, founder of the Umrah Backpacker Community, said that the pattern of self-organised pilgrimage is more adaptable in facing flight uncertainty.
‘Mail still rising, and for those who go independently, it is easier for them to change their flights,’ Eaz said when asked for responses to the development of self-organised Umrah pilgrims amid regional geopolitical tensions on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
According to him, independent pilgrims are not tied to the pattern of large group departures, giving them more flexibility to rearrange travel schedules. When a flight is suspended, they can quickly switch to another airline that is still operating.
Eaz cited examples where pilgrims can move from affected flights to direct airlines that remain in operation, such as Saudia Airlines or Garuda Indonesia.
‘A reason is that they can search for flights quickly without considering a large group, and there is more likely to be seats on each flight that still exists,’ he said.
On the other hand, the government stressed that the practice of self-organised Umrah now has a clear legal basis. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, explained that through Law Number 14 of 2025, Indonesian citizens are legitimised to carry out self-organised Umrah.
‘Thus now, through the new law, Law Number 14 of 2025, Indonesian citizens are legitimised to perform or carry out self-organised Umrah. And Saudi Arabia has also opened up very wide the implementation of self-organised Umrah,’ Dahnil said during a speech at the Consolidation of Hajj and Umrah Activities at the Grand El Hajj Main Building, Hajj Dormitory, Banten, Tangerang, on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
He acknowledged that the policy had sparked protests from some Pilgrimage Travel Organisers (PPIU) (Penyelenggara Perjalanan Ibadah Umrah). However, according to him, the policy is a necessity because Indonesia must adjust to the regulations implemented by the Saudi government.
‘Because Saudi is opening up self-organised Umrah very widely, our law to protect Indonesian citizens must provide a legal basis for organising self-organised Umrah. The state’s duty is to protect its citizens,’ he said.
Nevertheless, the government also wants to ensure the healthy functioning of the Umrah business ecosystem. Dahnil emphasised that there are firm limits in self-organised Umrah practice.
‘If a person acts individually but becomes an institution to collect pilgrims and depart without using a business entity, that is a crime. So if someone individually organises pilgrims and invites them to depart as if operating as a business entity, that is a crime,’ he explained.
He reiterated that the collection and departure of pilgrims commercially can only be conducted by PPIU or official travel agents. He said these rules are intended to protect business players while providing legal protection for independent Umrah pilgrims.