Umrah as a Diplomacy of Civilisation

The Khadimul Haramain Umrah programme, which recently hosted a delegation of 40 Indonesians alongside participants from 16 Asian countries, has emerged as a significant tool of public diplomacy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The initiative, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, extends beyond facilitating worship to encompass dialogue, visits to Islamic historical sites, and the strengthening of global Muslim brotherhood. Organised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, the programme invites 1,000 participants annually, including scholars, academics, teachers, and community leaders from both Muslim-majority nations and countries with Muslim minority populations such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. This inclusive approach underscores a message of universal Islamic brotherhood and positions the Kingdom as a centre of moral leadership within the Islamic world. The programme is closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritises the enhancement of Hajj and Umrah services through infrastructure modernisation and digitalisation. For Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, this spiritual diplomacy offers a strategic platform to deepen bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia in education, Islamic economics, research, and humanitarian diplomacy. The initiative also empowers Muslim minority communities to act as bridges for interfaith dialogue and tolerance. Ultimately, the programme demonstrates that worship carries profound social and diplomatic power, promoting peace and mutual respect amidst global conflicts and rising Islamophobia.