Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Jakarta is scrambling to bring home thousands of umrah (minor haj) pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after sweeping airspace closures linked to the United States – Israel war against Iran disrupted travel across the Middle East, though limited flights are still operating.

So far 7,782 pilgrims have been successfully repatriated since Feb. 28, according to a statement from the Haj and Umrah Ministry, while more than 50,000 others remain in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Deputy Haj and Umrah Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjutak said intensive cross-institutional coordination was still ongoing to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens in the conflict-ridden region.

"The safety of pilgrims is our top priority. We continue to coordinate intensively with the Foreign Ministry and all relevant parties to ensure pilgrims can return safely," Dahnil said on Tuesday.

"We are preparing a number of mitigation measures. If necessary, additional fleet capacity and route adjustments will be arranged to ensure pilgrims can return home safely and on time," he added, while advising prospective umrah pilgrims to postpone or adjust their travel plans until the situation stabilizes.

Concerns over the safety of Indonesian citizens in West Asia have intensified in recent weeks as the war involving Iran, Israel and the US spread across the region, prompting several Gulf nations to close their airspace while governments around the world prepare contingency plans to evacuate their citizens.

Countries that have shut their airspace include Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, while Jordan has imposed rolling daily closures, severely disrupting one of the world's busiest aviation corridors.

During a Tuesday meeting with House of Representatives Commission VIII overseeing religious and social affairs, lawmakers urged the government to take immediate concrete steps to ensure the safety of some 58,000 umrah pilgrims still stranded in Saudi Arabia, with some pushing for alternative flight routes and logistical support.

"Intensive coordination must be carried out by the government to map data on affected pilgrims, while also ensuring the provision of emergency accommodation and logistical assistance," lawmaker Abidin Fikri said in a statement.

"Anticipatory measures must be prepared immediately. Pilgrims must not be left in uncertainty for too long," he added.

Efforts are also underway to repatriate citizens willing to return from other countries in the region, including Iran and the UAE.

On Thursday, 30 Indonesian citizens previously stranded in the UAE were cleared to return home, flying from Abu Dhabi to Singapore following intensive coordination between the governments.

Flights still ongoing

Despite the government's efforts to repatriate citizens and multiple advisories against travel, several domestic and international airlines continue to operate flights to Saudi Arabia as demand for the umrah pilgrimage remains strong during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

With Saudi authorities still issuing visas and insisting the situation in the kingdom remains stable, airlines including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Saudi Airlines have continued flights to Saudi Arabia, offering one of the few viable air corridors still open in the region.

In Batam, Riau Islands, scores of pilgrims have pressed ahead with their departures, some flying first to Malaysia or Singapore, undeterred by the ongoing conflict and government advisories.

Batam City Haj and Umrah head Syahbudi told The Jakarta Post that the Hang Nadim International Airport continues to operate normally, including maintaining coordination with pilgrimage travel agencies sending their customers to the region.

"Congregants remain enthusiastic about departing despite the war, especially as they seek the virtues of worship during Ramadan. Furthermore, most have already paid their costs, and travel agents have booked accommodation and plane tickets," Syahbudi said on Wednesday.

So far, Jakarta has not issued any directive imposing a total ban on travel to the region.

Source: https://asianews.network/jakarta-races-to-bring-home-pilgrims-amid-mideast-travel-disruptions