Uproar Over "Instant" Hajj: 10 Indonesians Arrested in Saudi Arabia
Ten Indonesian citizens (WNI) have now been arrested in Saudi Arabia. They are reported to be suspected of involvement in promoting illegal Hajj.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) announced that, based on information from the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah (KJRI Jeddah), in the past week, 10 WNI were arrested in Saudi Arabia for allegedly being involved in promoting and practising the sale and purchase of “instant” Hajj. Similar actions have also been taken against several other foreign nationals.
“The Indonesian government fully supports Saudi Arabia’s policy, La Haj bila Tasrih, or no Hajj without official permission,” said Kemenhaj Spokesperson Maria Assegaff in a statement on Tuesday, quoted on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
“If any WNI face legal proceedings, their handling is entirely left to the Saudi legal authorities. The Indonesian government will not intervene,” she emphasised.
Maria added that the crackdown does not only apply to prospective pilgrims but also to those who organise, facilitate, promote, or profit from illegal Hajj practices.
Meanwhile, she continued, domestically, the government has established the Illegal Hajj Task Force involving Kemenhaj, the National Police (Polri), and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. The task force continues to carry out prevention at strategic departure points.
“The Illegal Hajj Task Force operations have thwarted several departures suspected to be related to illegal Hajj. This is a form of the state’s presence to protect the public from fraud and exploitation under the guise of Hajj departures,” she explained.
Kemenhaj urges the public not to be tempted by offers to perform Hajj without queuing through illegal channels. Because it risks financial loss and can lead to criminal sanctions, deportation, and a ban on entering Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years.
As of Tuesday, the 15th day, the implementation of the Hajj worship for 1447 H/2026 AD is reported to be running smoothly, orderly, and under control. Based on data up to Monday, 4 May 2026, 229 kloters with 89,051 pilgrims and 912 staff have been dispatched to the Holy Land.
“The dispatch process, arrival, and movement of pilgrims continue under the supervision of staff at all service points. All is done to ensure the comfort, security, and safety of the pilgrims,” Maria said again.
Maria explained that 219 kloters with 85,039 pilgrims and 873 staff have arrived in Madinah. Meanwhile, 68 kloters with 26,037 pilgrims and 272 staff have moved to Makkah to perform the obligatory Umrah and prepare for the peak of Hajj.
From a health perspective, 10,746 pilgrims received outpatient treatment, 139 pilgrims were referred to KKHI. 208 pilgrims were referred to Saudi Arabian hospitals, with 76 still under treatment.