Houthi Attacks Shake Up Umrah Plans
The Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2026 — which killed 13 people and wounded 309 others — has shaken the umrah plans of thousands of pilgrims. Saudi authorities closed the airport until Saturday (17/10/2026), and several international flights were disrupted or cancelled.
The Houthis also warned airlines, workers, and tourists to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, except for airports in Mecca and Medina. Indonesia is the world's second-largest contributor of umrah visitors, averaging 1.2 to 1.5 million people a year, so the disruption hits prospective pilgrims from the country hard.
A Depok Pilgrim's Story from the Holy Land
In Mecca, media monitoring on Monday (12/10) showed pilgrims from various countries continuing to worship at the Grand Mosque, while security officers stood guard at entrances and main roads. Saudi authorities said worship activities in Mecca and Medina continue to run normally.
Fatimah, a pilgrim from Depok already in Mecca, said she was shocked to hear about the attack and asked her umrah tour guide about the situation. "I was shocked, I asked the umrah tour guide about the current situation, but they tried to calm me down — God willing this incident will soon be handled by the Saudi government," Fatimah said.
Another pilgrim, Hani, said she stayed focused on worship while in the Holy Land. "I'm already here, so I'll just focus on worship — God willing it's safe," Hani said.
Departures Delayed, Pilgrims Stranded
The flight disruption affects more than the safety of Indonesians near the attack site. The closure of King Khalid Airport has also thrown travel plans into chaos, including for prospective umrah pilgrims from Indonesia. A number of prospective pilgrims were stranded at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on Monday (12/10) as their departures were disrupted.
Indonesia's Hajj and Umrah Ministry said rescheduling would take place once the security situation in Saudi Arabia improves. said a ministry official handling the data collection of affected pilgrims, noting the problem lies in Saudi Arabia so flights will be rescheduled. The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh also assisted three Indonesians affected by flight disruptions at the airport.
Calls to Postpone Umrah, Pressure on the Government
Malaysia urged its citizens to temporarily postpone umrah travel to Saudi Arabia. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that while there were no security incidents in Mecca, the missile blasts in Riyadh had raised security concerns. Indonesia's Hajj and Umrah Ministry, meanwhile, urged Indonesians in Saudi Arabia, including umrah pilgrims, to stay alert and prioritize safety.
Sharia economy observer from Paramadina University, Imas Damayanti, proposed a temporary postponement of Indonesian umrah pilgrim departures, arguing pilgrim safety matters far more than economic considerations. Parliament, through House Commission I deputy chair Sukamta, urged the government to guarantee citizen safety and facilitate pilgrims whose departures were cancelled. he said, stressing that umrah travel decisions must consider factual developments and the guidance of authorized authorities.
