Teknowarta – , JAKARTA — The annual Hajj pilgrimage is set to take place this year amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In response to these geopolitical tensions, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has unequivocally stressed that the safety and security of Hajj pilgrims must be the paramount priority for all involved parties.
This crucial directive was reiterated by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochammad Irfan, widely known as Gus Irfan, during a press conference on the preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Held at the Bina Graha Building within the Presidential Palace Complex on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the briefing underscored the government’s commitment to pilgrim welfare.
Gus Irfan specifically acknowledged that the regional conflict unfolding in the Middle East is indeed a primary concern for the Indonesian government, influencing all aspects of Hajj planning and execution.
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“The President has instructed us to make the safety and security of the pilgrims our top priority. He conveyed this during last Ramadan, and since then, our focus has been squarely on pilgrim safety and security,” Gus Irfan stated, highlighting the consistent emphasis from the nation’s leader.
He further elaborated that this comprehensive security priority encompasses various critical aspects. It includes ensuring the safety of pilgrims during their travel from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and the return journey, maintaining security throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia, and safeguarding the logistics operations that support pilgrim activities in the Holy Land.
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“Alhamdulillah, this year, without knowing what developments would occur in the Middle East, we proactively increased the number of pilgrim protection measures by almost 100% from the outset,” Gus Irfan proudly announced, emphasizing the foresight in their preparations.
According to Gus Irfan, President Prabowo has also affirmed that as long as there is no official statement from the Saudi Arabian Government regarding the cancellation of Hajj departures, Indonesia will proceed with facilitating and sending its pilgrims. This steadfast commitment reflects the nation’s dedication to its citizens fulfilling their religious obligations.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is actively engaged in extensive coordination with various stakeholders. These include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) concerning airline flights, and the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia, ensuring a seamless and well-managed pilgrimage experience.
“Alhamdulillah, our communication with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is incredibly fluid, allowing us to maintain excellent coordination,” he explained, pointing to strong bilateral relations.
Gus Irfan also outlined the detailed operational schedule for Hajj 2026. Pilgrimage operations are set to commence on April 21, 2026, with the first wave of pilgrims entering Hajj dormitories. Departures to Saudi Arabia are then anticipated to begin on April 22, 2026, with the final group departing by May 21, 2026.
The peak of the Hajj ritual is estimated to occur on May 25-26, 2026, in Arafah, Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the operational phase for the repatriation of pilgrims will begin on June 1, 2026, and conclude on July 1, 2026, marking the successful completion of the entire pilgrimage cycle.