JAKARTA - Around 1,600 Malaysian umrah pilgrims are stuck in Saudi Arabia following the cancellation and disruption of flights experienced by several airlines, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Malaysian Consul General in Jeddah, Tengku Mohd Dzaraif Raja Abdul Kadir, as reported by BERNAMA said the consulate had reached out to most of the affected pilgrims, who are currently in Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina.
"Alhamdulillah, they are in good condition, and the situation in Saudi Arabia, especially in Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, is also very good without any unwanted incidents," said Tengku Mohd Dzaraif as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 3.
Tengku Mohd Dzaraif said most of the stranded pilgrims were scheduled to return using Malaysia Airlines flights, as well as other airlines including Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad.
According to him, there are still direct flights from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur via Saudia Airlines, in addition to AirAsia's limited service.
"Many pilgrims have taken the initiative themselves, or through their travel agents, to change their flights to Saudia Airlines, and some groups have managed to return to Malaysia.
"Malaysia Airlines is also generously providing accommodation for pilgrims who are scheduled to return using the airline's flight," he said.
He said the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah had opened a 24-hour operation room to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected Malaysians.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has confirmed that as many as 6,047 members of the umrah congregation have returned home safely, following the heated security situation in the Middle East region.
"From February 28 to March 1, 2026, a total of 6,047 pilgrims have returned home safely. The government continues to monitor this process so that all pilgrims can return gradually and orderly," said the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, Ichsan Marsha.
The number of Indonesian umrah pilgrims who are planned to depart before the Hajj season on April 18, 2026 is 43,363 people from 439 Umrah Travel Organizers (PPIU).
Based on reports through the Special Umrah and Hajj Management Computerization System (Siskopatuh) on Sunday (1/3), it was recorded that around 58,873 Indonesian umrah participants were still in Saudi Arabia.
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