The Impact of the Middle East Conflict on Umrah Pilgrims’ Funds
Geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in the Middle East are creating a dilemma for organisers of Umrah travel in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). This follows government advisories, particularly from the Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, to delay Umrah departures for security reasons. One of the feared impacts of delaying departures is the potential forfeiture of all accommodation funds paid by the organisers.
The Chair of the DPW of the Asosiasi Muslim Penyelenggara Haji dan Umrah Republik Indonesia (AMPHURI) DIY, Adam Basyori, stated that when Umrah departures are delayed, money already paid could be non-refundable. ‘All costs already paid to airlines and hotels are likely to be forfeited,’ Adam said on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
Adam explained that document preparations such as visas and hotels are currently largely completed. The organisers have also paid all necessary costs for the pilgrims.
Thus, according to Adam, financial losses become a real threat for travel agencies if a delay is carried out unilaterally without refunds policies from airlines or Saudi hotel providers.
From the latest information, so far the airlines contacted have not planned any departure delays and are still monitoring the situation. Nevertheless, Basyori said, his association greatly appreciates the government advisory as it relates to safety.
He also revealed that, given the current dynamics, some pilgrims still wish to depart as scheduled. This is the high season coinciding with Ramadan.
From the information received, Adam stated that flights that were previously delayed at transit points such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi have now begun to return to normal.
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj DIY, Jauhar Mustofa, said the advisory to delay Umrah departures to the Holy Land refers to the results of a meeting on Sunday, 1 March 2026, or when the Iran conflict began. This step was taken as a protective measure for Indonesian citizens.
In particular, Jauhar said, those using airlines with transit routes in directly affected countries are especially affected. ‘Thus at present travel agencies are advised to delay their planned Umrah trips while awaiting a more conducive situation in the Middle East,’ he said.
On the other hand, Jauhar stated that for Hajj preparations, there are currently no plans to reschedule despite the Middle East still being tense. The Hajj preparations scheduled to begin on 21 April 2026 are proceeding as planned.
Moreover, Jauhar hopes the Middle East conflict will soon subside so as not to disrupt the inaugural operations at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) embarkation in Kulon Progo, which will dispatch the first Hajj group from that region. ‘(The Hajj departure) is still on schedule, beginning on 21 April, when the first group will depart from the Yogyakarta International Airport embarkation,’ he said.