Religious Affairs Ministry tells Umrah operators to ensure the safety of pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia

Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has told Umrah travel operators not to leave pilgrims stranded without assistance after airport closures linked to the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa disrupted flights to and from Saudi Arabia.

The ministry asked all operators and their associations to take immediate mitigation measures. Pilgrims affected by cancellations or schedule changes must continue receiving services and supervision until they can safely resume their journeys.

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PPIU must ensure that every pilgrim receives fast, clear and accurate information about flight status and the handling measures under way.

“PPIU must ensure that every pilgrim receives fast, clear and accurate information about flight status and the handling measures under way,” Director General of Hajj and Umrah Operations Puji Raharjo said in a statement.

The ministry said safety must guide every decision involving departures, returns, transit arrangements, schedule changes and route changes. Operators were instructed to coordinate actively with airlines, airport managers, aviation authorities, service providers in Saudi Arabia and other relevant parties.

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The principle is that no pilgrim may lose assistance or be left without certainty about the services they will receive.

They must also continue meeting pilgrims’ needs, including accommodation, meals, transportation, supervision and other basic services. The ministry said it was paying particular attention to pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia because of changed or cancelled flights.

“The principle is that no pilgrim may lose assistance or be left without certainty about the services they will receive,” Puji said. For pilgrims who have not yet departed for the holy sites, operators were told to postpone travel until airlines and aviation authorities confirm flights and the readiness of all travel services. “We ask PPIU not to force departures before there is certainty from the airline and aviation authorities. Pilgrims’ safety must be the main consideration,” he said.

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We ask PPIU not to force departures before there is certainty from the airline and aviation authorities. Pilgrims’ safety must be the main consideration.