Ri Prepares Anticipatory Scenarios For Hajj Amid Mideast Tensions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is preparing several scenarios to anticipate the impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, with a primary focus on ensuring the safety of Indonesian pilgrims.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, explained following the Nuzulul Quran commemoration event at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday that President Prabowo Subianto’s directive is to prepare for all possibilities should the security situation in the region shift.

“The President’s message is clear: his focus is on ensuring the safety of the pilgrims; that is what matters most,” he remarked.

One of the scenarios being prepared is adjusting flight routes to Saudi Arabia if standard paths are deemed unsafe.

Simanjuntak noted that rerouting options would be coordinated with aviation authorities and several transit countries, including the possibility of using southern routes or flying via Africa.

In addition, the government is opening the possibility of postponing departures if the escalation of conflict is deemed to pose a risk to the safety of pilgrims.

According to him, a similar scenario was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Hajj pilgrimage was delayed for safety reasons.

He affirmed that the Indonesian government is currently still monitoring the developments of the situation in the region before making a final decision on the Hajj pilgrimage.

The decision will be discussed together with the House of Representatives (DPR) and other relevant ministries and agencies.

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has earlier issued the 2026 Hajj plan, with pilgrims scheduled to start entering the Hajj dormitories on April 21.

The first wave of pilgrims is planned to start to depart on April 22, while the second wave will begin to depart on May 7.

Furthermore, after the conclusion of the pilgrimage, the Indonesian pilgrims will arrive in the country from June 1 to July 1, 2026.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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