Indonesia Prepares Contingency Plans for Hajj Pilgrimage Amidst Middle East Conflict

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is developing several scenarios to ensure the safety of Indonesian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, given the escalating tensions in the Middle East. These plans include potential flight route changes and possible departure delays.

Flight Route Adjustments Under Consideration

One option being explored is altering flight paths to avoid conflict zones. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, stated the possibility of rerouting flights via Africa is under review. “If that really guarantees the safety of the flight, then we will prepare to change the flight route, for example,” Simanjuntak told journalists at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

This proposal aligns with suggestions from the Indonesian Parliament (DPR). Simanjuntak indicated further coordination with aviation authorities is necessary to assess the feasibility of alternative routes, including a southern route and the African route.

Potential Departure Delays

Another scenario involves delaying the departure of Hajj pilgrims if conditions are deemed unsafe. Simanjuntak explained that a delay would be considered if the safety and security of the pilgrims are threatened, drawing parallels to the disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Well then the scenario is like the (pandemic) COVID for example in the past if it endangers the congregation for example endangering security, then the scenario to delay may arise when the safety of our citizens is threatened,” he said.

Prioritizing Pilgrim Safety

Simanjuntak emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has prioritized the safety of Hajj pilgrims above all else. Discussions with the DPR will continue to refine the Hajj departure scenarios, with a firm commitment to ensuring the well-being of Indonesian citizens participating in the pilgrimage.

First Hajj Group Departure Targeted for April 22

If the situation stabilizes and the conflict de-escalates, the first group of Hajj pilgrims is currently scheduled to depart on April 22. “If there is no change in the scenario or the escalation of the conflict decreases and this guarantees the safety of Indonesian citizens going on Hajj, then April 22 will be the departure of the first group of Hajj,” Simanjuntak stated.

Stranded Pilgrims and Ongoing Negotiations

As of March 8, 2026, more than 58,860 Indonesian pilgrims were stranded in Saudi Arabia due to the travel chaos caused by the conflict in the Middle East according to KCRA. The Indonesian government is actively negotiating with Saudi authorities and airlines to mitigate the financial burden of extended hotel stays and flight costs for these stranded pilgrims. The government is also advising approximately 60,000 prospective pilgrims to postpone their Umrah travel until April for safety reasons.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah spokesperson, Ichsan Marsha, described the situation as an “urgent humanitarian and logistical issue.”