Video: 58,000 Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia, Travel Offers This

Jakarta — CNBC Indonesia: US air strikes carried out by the United States and its ally Israel against Iran, which killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026, have sparked tensions in the Middle East. Iran retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. The repercussions have seen heightened tensions across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, with operations at several airports paused as international flight routes were closed.

The Secretary General of the Association of Hajj Umrah Organisers and In-Bound Indonesia (Asphurindo), M. Iqbal Muhajir, confirmed there are impacts from the closures of flight routes in the region on Umrah activities, particularly transit flights in countries hosting US air bases. However, the Saudi government is currently ensuring the safety of future pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has asked national Umrah organisers to temporarily postpone departures until conditions are more conducive. On the other hand, postponement could lead to losses because hotel and accommodation bookings cannot be cancelled.

To address this, using direct flights — i.e., flights without transit in countries that have Iran-based missile attacks — becomes a option to continue performing Umrah.

As of 4 March 2026, 58,000 pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia, but the Hajj and Umrah Association has proposed chartering aircraft as a solution to fly pilgrims home.

For more, watch the dialogue with Bunga Cinka and the Secretary General of Asphurindo, M. Iqbal Muhajir, at Nation Hub, CNBC Indonesia (Thursday, 6 March 2026).