ASEANEWS HEADLINE-SOCIETY & RELIGION I JAKARTA: Indonesian haj departures on track amid Middle East war
Prospective Indonesian pilgrims practice circumambulation rituals around a replica of the Kaaba, during a training session at the Al Mahmudah Manasik Training Center (AMTC) in South Tangerang on April 5, 2026. The centre provides a simulated experience of Mecca’s pilgrimage sites ahead of the Haj season in late May. (AFP/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)
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Millions of Indonesians travel for Eid as fuel worries loom amid Iran war
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jakarta, Indonesia – 18 March 2026
1.Various travelers arriving at Senen Train Station
2. Wide of train station
3. Travelers crowding the station corridor before boarding
4. Sign for intercity train departure
5. Wide of travelers boarding
6. Muslim women boarding
7. Tilt down from security checking passenger tickets to a small child being led by his parents as they board
8. Tilt down from traveler Anwar Hasyim to his belongings
9. SOUNDBITE (Indonesian) Anwar Hasyim, traveler: “It was very difficult to get tickets this year. I had to book tickets online 45 days in advance, and even then, I had to stay awake for three days before I got a ticket (for today’s trip).” 10. Travelers waiting for the train carrying luggage
11. Tilt down from platform sign to travelers
12. SOUNDBITE (Indonesian) Septi Nurhana, traveler: “In the current difficult economic conditions where goods are expensive, especially if fuel prices rise significantly, the government must immediately implement policies that favor the people.” 12. Train arriving13. Various shots of travelers boarding the train 14. Train leaving
15. Pan right from empty seats to moving train
STORYLINE:
Tens of millions of Indonesians began their annual Eid al Fitr homecoming this week, even as rising fuel risks tied to the war in the Middle East add pressure ahead of one of the world’s largest seasonal migrations.
The Eid travel season has created massive traffic jams, packed trains and crowded ports across the sprawling archipelago.
Authorities estimate nearly 144 million people will take part this year, slightly fewer than last year’s 146 million, but still close to half of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country’s population.
At Jakarta’s Senen train station, Anwar Hashim, a traveler heading to Yogyakarta, said that getting train tickets this year was quite a task.
“I had to book tickets online 45 days in advance, and even then, I had to stay awake for three days before I got a ticket,” he said
Highways leading out of the capital Jakarta were clogged as early as the weekend, with long lines of cars and motorcycles inching toward Central and East Java
Train stations and airports reported fully booked services, while ferry crossings between Java, Sumatra and Bali faced hours long delays.
The Indonesian Navy again deployed warships to transport civilians, offering free trips from Jakarta to cities in Java and nearby islands — a highly symbolic gesture during the annual exodus. More than 1,400 people registered for the service, officials said.
The travel surge comes as Indonesia faces growing concerns over fuel supply and prices following the war involving Iran, which has disrupted energy shipments through the Middle East and driven up oil prices across the region. “In the current difficult economic conditions where goods are expensive, especially if fuel prices rise significantly, the government must immediately implement policies that favor the people,” said Septi Nurhana, a traveler. Indonesia, a country of 287 million people and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, also faces hard choices as the biggest oil importer and relies heavily on fuel sourced from abroad.
While the government has promised to maintain fuel prices throughout Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, Putra Adhiguna of the Energy Shift Institute said there is “no clarity about what will happen after that,” adding that this implies fuel prices could increase.
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I ndonesia’s haj departures remain on track despite the ongoing United States-Israeli war against Iran, with preparations entering the final stage and the first group of pilgrims set to leave on April 22 as authorities press ahead with safety measures.
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For this year’s haj, which is expected to take place from May 24 to 29, Indonesia has been allocated a quota of 221,000 pilgrims.
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According to the Haj and Umrah Ministry, the largest group comprises homemakers at around 52,000, followed by private sector workers at approximately 46,000.
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Most pilgrims are aged between 41 and 64, with more than 40,000 aged 65 and above.
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@[email protected]
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The first wave of pilgrims will depart for Medina starting April 22, while the second wave will begin on May 7, heading to Jeddah.
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Pramita Gumanti, 39, a private employee from Gresik, East Java, is among those scheduled to depart in the first wave.
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She, her husband and four relatives are set to leave Surabaya on May 4.
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Despite being aware of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, she has chosen to proceed and expressed little concern that it would disrupt the pilgrimage.
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@[email protected]
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As of this week, her preparations are complete except for packing.
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“Hopefully it will not have any impact,” she told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
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“As far as I understand, the targets are specific areas in the Middle East, particularly those hosting US military bases.”
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Maretha Ul
The Jakarta Post- PREMIUM
Jakarta
Sat, April 18, 2026
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