Umrah Pilgrims Insist on Departing Amid Conflict, Blora Travel Director: If Cancelled, Only the Ticket Will Be Refunded
Blora, VIVA – Amid government advice to defer Umrah departures due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, a travel agency in Blora Regency, Central Java, nonetheless proceeded to dispatch the group of pilgrims as scheduled.
Director of Musahafis, Siswanto, confirmed that they would still send 33 prospective Umrah pilgrims on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
He acknowledged the advisory to defer from authorities following the rising tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. However, in his view, the technical details of the advisory have not been specified in detail.
“The pilgrims still want to depart. Of the total group, 33 people are ready according to schedule, while 3 confirmed they would cancel the Umrah,” said Siswanto.
Switch of Airline due to Security Considerations
The decision to depart as planned was not without obstacles. Siswanto explained that they had to switch airlines after the previous carrier cancelled flights citing security risks on air routes in the Middle East region.
The sudden change affected travel costs. Nevertheless, the pilgrims were said to be willing to bear additional costs in order to continue their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
“As long as the Government of Saudi Arabia provides security guarantees, I will continue to dispatch my pilgrims to the Holy Land,” he asserted.
Financial considerations as a factor
In addition to the strong push from the pilgrims, financial considerations also weighed on the travel agency. Siswanto revealed that if the departure were cancelled unilaterally, refunds would only apply to the airline ticket component.
Meanwhile, other costs such as accommodation and ancillary services could potentially be non-refundable, resulting in significant losses.
The agency said it continues to coordinate with related parties to ensure the journey proceeds safely and in accordance with procedures. Nevertheless, the security situation in transit areas and at the destination remains a serious concern for the central government.
This decision reflects a dilemma between safety, regulatory certainty, and commitment to service for the pilgrims amid geopolitically unsettled dynamics. (Laporan Agung, tvOne, Blora)