Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING) – Indonesia’s Hajj and Umrah minister said preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage are nearly complete, with the first group of pilgrims scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on April 22.
“Preparations are almost 100%. Visas have been issued, and arrangements such as catering have been finalized,” Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The first group of Indonesian pilgrims is set to enter Hajj dormitories on April 21 before departing a day later, he said.
“God willing, the first group will enter the dormitory on April 21 and depart for Saudi Arabia on April 22,” Yusuf added.
He expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support in facilitating Indonesia’s Hajj preparations.
Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the minister voiced hope that regional instability would not disrupt the pilgrimage process.
“We hope the unfavorable situation in the Middle East will not affect preparations and departures of our pilgrims,” he said.
He acknowledged that the situation has created logistical challenges, including a sharp rise in fuel costs that has nearly doubled in some cases.
Yusuf urged all parties to ease tensions to ensure the Hajj pilgrimage can proceed smoothly.
“We hope tensions can be reduced so that Hajj rituals can be carried out solemnly worldwide,” he said.
