Around 6,000 Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims Return Amid Middle East Tensions

Jakarta: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that 6,047 Indonesian umrah pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia amid escalating security tensions in the Middle East following the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

“Between February 28 and March 1, 2026, a total of 6,047 pilgrims have safely returned to Indonesia. The government continues to monitor this process to ensure that all pilgrims can return gradually and in an orderly manner,” ministry spokesperson Ichsan Marsha said, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Speaking in Jakarta on Monday (March 2), Marsha detailed that 4,200 pilgrims returned on February 28 aboard 12 flights, followed by 2,047 pilgrims arriving on five flights the next day.

He added that 43,363 individuals were scheduled to depart for umrah ahead of the hajj season beginning April 18, traveling through 439 licensed Umrah Travel Organizers (PPIU).

According to ministry data, approximately 58,873 Indonesian pilgrims remained in Saudi Arabia as of March 1.

“We are ensuring that each PPIU remains fully committed to its responsibilities in serving pilgrims during departure, their stay in Saudi Arabia, and their return journey,” Marsha said, while calling for mutual understanding between organizers and pilgrims.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to taking measurable and coordinated steps to safeguard Indonesian pilgrims and urged them to contact Indonesian diplomatic missions in case of legal issues or emergencies.

“Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we continue coordinating with Indonesian representatives abroad to ensure swift and reliable responses to any issues faced by pilgrims. We ask all pilgrims to remain calm and follow official instructions,” he said.

Marsha also advised prospective pilgrims to postpone their departures until security and stability in the region improve.