RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is pushing for religious diplomacy to ease geopolitical tensions, as Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly Deputy Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid calls for the Hajj pilgrimage to serve as a platform for peace and an end to conflict involving the United States and Iran.

“Making Hajj a form of peace diplomacy is meant to send a message to all parties: stop the war. We are going to perform Hajj, the pilgrims are going to perform Hajj,” he said during a gathering of Islamic scholars at the residence of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He rejected military attacks targeting civilian or non-military facilities, both in Iran and Saudi Arabia, stressing the humanitarian risks posed by the ongoing conflict.

As the Hajj season approaches, Hidayat emphasized the need to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims traveling from around the world.

“(Hajj pilgrims) come from all over the world, including many from Iran and many from the United States. Stop the war, do not wage war anymore,” he added.

According to him, the safety of pilgrimage routes, from Iran, Indonesia, and the United States to Mecca and Medina, depends heavily on regional stability. He noted that halting the war would significantly improve security for international travel.

He also highlighted the broader humanitarian dimension, stating that fulfilling religious obligations is a fundamental right. He added that if peace efforts succeed, Indonesia could play an effective role in promoting global harmony.

“If that happens, then Indonesia’s role in bringing about peace will be very effective,” he said, adding that a ceasefire during Hajj could bring broader blessings.

He further expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia for ensuring security ahead of Hajj 2026 and welcomed recent diplomatic talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, hoping they would reduce tensions and prevent attacks on civilian targets.

He also called for a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran to be extended into a permanent one.

The meeting was also attended by the Assembly's Speaker Ahmad Muzani, along with Islamic scholars and leaders of religious organizations and Islamic boarding schools. ***