World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
Indonesian Expert Urges Pause in Umrah Travel Amid Saudi Conflict
An Indonesian expert has urged a temporary halt to Umrah departures to Saudi Arabia as conflict involving the Houthi group escalates.
The recommendation concerns Indonesian Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage.
The concern follows an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which led Saudi Arabia to close the airport until October 17.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says no Indonesian pilgrims have been directly affected and that pilgrimages are continuing as usual.
Three Indonesian workers were assisted after flight disruption at the airport, while Indonesia’s embassy said it had found no Indonesians among those identified as victims.
The expert argues that protecting pilgrims should come before economic considerations, including the travel businesses in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia that depend on Umrah visitors.
The government has been urged to protect Indonesians and help pilgrims whose trips are cancelled, but the sources do not say it has decided to suspend departures.
Indonesian Islamic economics expert Imas Damayanti urged the government to temporarily suspend Umrah departures to Saudi Arabia until the conflict eases.
She said the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group could threaten pilgrims’ safety and disrupt worship.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said pilgrims’ safety is the government’s top priority and no Indonesian pilgrims had been directly affected.
The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said it had not identified any Indonesians among the victims and had assisted three Indonesians affected by flight disruption.
- Who
- Imas Damayanti, an Islamic economics observer at Paramadina University, urged the pause.
- What
- She called for a temporary suspension of Indonesian Umrah departures to Saudi Arabia.
- When
- She made the proposal on Tuesday, October 13.
- Where
- The proposal concerns travel from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, amid conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group.
- Why
- She cited risks to pilgrims’ safety and comfort during worship.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said no Indonesians had been identified as victims as of that evening.
Imas Damayanti urged Indonesia to suspend Umrah departures until the conflict eased.
Sukamta called on the government to ensure Indonesians’ safety and assist pilgrims whose Umrah trips were disrupted.
Saudi Arabia was reported to have closed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following Houthi attacks.
- Imas Damayanti
- Islamic economics observer at Paramadina University
- Indonesian Umrah visitors
- 1.2 million to 1.5 million per year, on average
- Estimated spending per visit
- US$1,000–US$1,200
- Indonesians directly affected among pilgrims
- None reported by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Indonesians assisted after flight disruption
- Three
- Airport closure
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, until Saturday, October 17
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What people are saying
The Indonesian government should suspend Umrah departures for our pilgrims to Saudi until the conflict situation subsides.
I do not think the economic impacts for both Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are worth the issue of pilgrims’ safety. Put pilgrims’ safety first.
We are certainly concerned about the attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which caused casualties. We strongly condemn this act, which violates humanitarian values.