East Java Governor Calls for Middle East Peace and Safe Hajj Pilgrimage

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has called on Muslims to pray for the safety of Saudi Arabia as the Hajj season approaches and urged an end to conflicts in the Middle East.

Khofifah made the remarks on Monday, March 16, 2026, while attending a Ramadan breaking-of-fast event hosted by the Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor Leste, Faisal Abdullah H. Amodi, in Menteng, Jakarta.

“We also convey the hopes of the Indonesian people, especially those from East Java, that Umrah and Hajj pilgrims can perform their worship safely, comfortably, and smoothly in the Holy Land,” she said in a statement received in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday, March 17, as quoted by Antara.

Highlighting the importance of security and comfort for Indonesian pilgrims amid the region’s geopolitical dynamics, Khofifah emphasized Saudi Arabia’s role as a key partner in facilitating Hajj and Umrah. She called for maintaining strong bilateral relations to ensure optimal services for pilgrims.

East Java, she noted, is among Indonesia’s provinces with the largest number of Hajj and Umrah participants, making developments in the Middle East a serious concern for the community. She also expressed hope for de-escalation of regional tensions to support lasting peace and prevent wider economic repercussions.

Khofifah also mentioned that copies of the Madinah Mushaf, a gift from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, have been distributed to residents in East Java as part of Islamic outreach efforts. She also expressed appreciation to the Saudi government, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, for improvements in services and infrastructure for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims worldwide.

Ambassador Amodi, in turn, praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia and highlighted Indonesia’s strategic role in promoting global peace, particularly in the Middle East. ***