EN.malanginspirasi.com – Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, has confirmed that the 2026 Hajj departure schedule will proceed as planned, with the first group (kloter) of pilgrims scheduled to depart on April 22, 2026.
The statement was made amid escalating geopolitical conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
“As of now, everything is still according to schedule. God willing, there will be no changes until the departure on April 22,” Irfan Yusuf said after attending the “Balik Kerja Bareng” event organized by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) 2026 in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The minister emphasized that the Indonesian government continues to maintain intensive communication with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj.
“We are in constant communication with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj team. And as of today they have stated there is no change in the schedule,” he added.
No Disruption to Flights
According to Irfan, there has been no disruption to preparations or the departure schedule for Indonesian pilgrims. All service aspects, from accommodation to transportation, have been well prepared. From the funding side, BPKH is also ready to provide support as needed.
“We see no flight stoppages. Direct flights to Saudi Arabia are still operating. Hopefully, it remains safe,” he said.
He also assured that Umrah operations continue to run safely under strict supervision of returning pilgrims. The government has gathered organizers to ensure smooth departures and arrivals.
The minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the US-Israel and Iran, which could potentially affect regional airspace and logistics. However, the holy sites of Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah are still considered conducive by Saudi authorities.
The quota for elderly pilgrims remains at 5 percent of Indonesia’s total Hajj quota of approximately 221,000 people. The full schedule for Hajj 2026 (1447 H) was released at the end of 2025, with the peak Arafah ritual expected on May 25–26, 2026.
Contingency Plans Prepared
Although the main schedule has not changed, the government has prepared contingency scenarios since early March 2026 to anticipate risks from conflict escalation. The top priority remains the safety of pilgrims’ lives, in line with sharia emergency principles.
If the situation deteriorates drastically, options such as postponement or flight route adjustments (rerouting via Africa or southern routes) can be activated without sacrificing pilgrims’ funds.
Various official sources, including Antara News and Kompas.com, have reported similar statements in recent hours, showing consistency in the central government’s position.
The statement provides reassurance to hundreds of thousands of prospective pilgrims and their families. Technical preparations — including the Nusuk application, electronic visas, and biometrics — have reached the final stage.
Nevertheless, Minister Irfan used the phrase “God willing,” reflecting a realistic approach: optimistic yet vigilant against sudden developments.
