Some Countries May Not Send Hajj Pilgrims Due to War, Here Is the Hajj Ministry's Anticipation

The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) for the Republic of Indonesia, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, confirmed that preparations for the 1447 Hajj pilgrimage in 2026 are progressing smoothly without obstacles. However, the government remains prepared to implement several anticipation scenarios given the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Dahnil said they have designed various scenarios to anticipate possible global dynamics, including if another country does not send its pilgrims. ‘We are preparing several scenarios, because there is a possibility that some countries may not send their pilgrims,’ he said at the Consolidation of Hajj and Umrah at the Main Building of the Grand El Hajj Hajj Dormitory in Banten, Tangerang City, on Tuesday (3/3/2026). As is known, tensions followed Iran being targeted by the United States and Israel after failed nuclear negotiations. The attack, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also led Iran to strike several US and Israeli assets in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, which is the host nation for the Hajj. Dahnil explained that these dynamics have not caused delays or disruptions in the preparation stages. ‘Alhamdulillah, up to this moment our Hajj preparations have not been hindered in any way. There have been no delays, no disruptions,’ he said. He added that this year the government is adopting a more proactive Hajj preparation pattern. If preparations were usually rushed after Eid al-Fitr, now almost all technical components have been completed well in advance.