Saudi Ensures Safe Umrah Pilgrimage Amid Regional Tensions: Ri Govt

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said the Saudi Arabian government has assured the safety of Umrah pilgrims despite escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

"The situation in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina, remains safe and stable. Umrah pilgrims can continue their worship peacefully without major disruptions in those regions," Yusuf told lawmakers in Jakarta.

Speaking during a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, he acknowledged that the ongoing conflict has affected regional security, prompting several Gulf countries to restrict their airspace and disrupting international flights.

"The closure of airspace has disrupted international flights, particularly those transiting several Middle Eastern countries," he said, adding that the situation has also affected Indonesian nationals departing for or returning from Umrah pilgrimages.

However, Yusuf emphasized that security conditions in the key pilgrimage cities of Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina remain stable, based on reports from Indonesian representatives who have coordinated with Saudi authorities.

He also cited the latest info showing that 50,374 Indonesian Umrah pilgrims are currently in Saudi Arabia, with 14,115 of them potentially facing delayed returns due to flight disruptions.

"We have contacted all Umrah travel organizers to ensure that pilgrims receive proper assistance," the minister said.

Earlier, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry urged Indonesians planning to perform Umrah to postpone their travel due to security concerns in the Middle East.

"For the time being, our policy focuses on urging prospective pilgrims to delay their departure given the escalating conflict," Deputy Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said in Jakarta on Tuesday (March 10).

He said the recommendation followed coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reflects the government's commitment to protecting Indonesians, including pilgrims currently stranded in Saudi Arabia.

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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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