Jakarta. A senior Indonesian lawmaker has urged the government to consider temporarily suspending the departure of pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage following escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Marwan Dasopang, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII overseeing religious affairs, said the government should issue a formal proclamation halting pilgrim departures to anticipate potential security risks in the region.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician said the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East is highly unpredictable and could endanger pilgrims traveling to and from Saudi Arabia.

“The government must issue a clear proclamation to stop departures. Previously there was only an advisory not to travel, yet departures still occurred. If people have already left, what are the next steps?” Marwan told reporters on Friday.

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and sends one of the biggest contingents of pilgrims each year to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs of Indonesia, Indonesia’s Hajj quota for 2026 will remain at 221,000 pilgrims. About 92 percent of the quota is allocated for the regular pilgrimage program, while 8 percent is reserved for special fast-track Hajj packages.

The first group of Indonesian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season is scheduled to depart for Medina on April 22.

Marwan said recent reports of missile strikes affecting aviation infrastructure — including damage to a terminal building at Dubai International Airport — demonstrate how escalating conflict in the region could disrupt international air routes.

He suggested the government could formally request permission from Saudi Arabia to suspend the pilgrimage if security conditions deteriorate.

Indonesia previously took similar action during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the government canceled Hajj departures to protect public safety.

Marwan also called on authorities to prepare contingency plans if the pilgrimage proceeds as scheduled. One option, he said, is to reroute flights to avoid conflict-affected airspace, potentially directing aircraft through African corridors.

Any major changes to flight routes or travel arrangements could have financial implications for the pilgrimage program, he added, as the government must coordinate with airlines, hotels and service providers in Saudi Arabia.

“The financial impact could be significant because many services — flights, accommodation and pilgrimage logistics — have already been paid for,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian government says it is closely monitoring the situation.

The Hajj and Umrah Affairs Ministry said it has intensified coordination with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure the safety of Indonesian pilgrims and prepare for the 2026 Hajj season.

Deputy Hajj and Umrah Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the government’s top priority is the safety of pilgrims.

“We ensure the state is present. The safety of pilgrims is our highest priority,” Dahnil said in a statement.

Some Indonesian Umrah pilgrims have already returned home, while others are waiting for confirmed flight schedules, particularly those traveling on transit routes. Authorities said 7,782 pilgrims returned to Indonesia between Feb. 28 and March 2.

As a precaution, the ministry has advised prospective Umrah pilgrims to postpone departures temporarily while monitoring security developments in the region.

More than 43,000 Indonesian pilgrims are scheduled to travel for Umrah between March and April before the season closes.

The government said it is also preparing contingency measures, including requesting additional aircraft from Garuda Indonesia during Ramadan and adjusting flight routes if regional tensions escalate further.

Despite the uncertainties, officials say preparations for the 2026 Hajj are continuing, with authorities developing multiple mitigation scenarios to ensure the pilgrimage can proceed safely if conditions allow.

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