RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Deputy Chairman of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Hidayat Nur Wahid, encouraged the strengthening of diplomacy to stop war and bring peace ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage this year. He said that as dozens of members of parliament and leaders of Islamic organizations attend a halalbihalal (post-Eid social event) with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal Abdullah Amody, on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

The meeting took place amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The conflict has the potential to affect the global economy and the Hajj pilgrimage, particularly in aviation, due to rising aviation fuel prices.

In front of the audience, Wahid reiterated his opinion that the Hajj pilgrimage should be a moment to stop war and bring peace to Muslims and the world community. He believes that the peace of the Hajj is expected to be permanent by stopping war altogether.

"So that the entire process of getting to and carrying out the Hajj pilgrimage takes place safely and conveniently, which will allow pilgrims to worship calmly and devoutly, and their prayers for peace, justice, and the welfare of the global community can be realized," he said, as monitored by RRI Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta.

Therefore, Wahid, popularly known as HNW, also specifically called on all parties involved in the war, especially the United States, Israel, and Iran, to stop the war with all its negative escalations. Due to the destructive impact of war, HNW also condemns various military attacks targeting civilian and non-military facilities, both in Iran and in Saudi Arabia, as they are contrary to the principles of international law.

"I have long opposed military attacks on non-military targets, public facilities such as schools or hospitals in Iran, or attacks on vital facilities in Saudi Arabia such as Aramco, because these clearly violate international law and endanger regional stability, which could lead to a global economic crisis," he stressed.

HNW welcomed various initiatives to end the war between the US, Israel, and Iran and bring peace to the region, such as those undertaken by Pakistan. However, he proposed that these initiatives truly end the war and bring peace by broadening their scope to be comprehensive and meet the requirements of justice.

"Pakistan's initiative to end the war, to bring peace with justice, needs to be broadened to encompass the entire region, not just the US-Iran relationship, including Lebanon, but also an end to the war and the arrival of peace for Palestine and the Gulf states, so that justice and peace can be achieved comprehensively," he continued.

HNW underscored that Indonesia, as the country with the largest (221,000) number of Hajj pilgrims, has a major interest in regional stability, with the cessation of all forms of war and military attacks. Therefore, Hajj diplomacy for peace should also be an important part of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia's efforts to ensure the success of the 2026 Hajj.

Furthermore, HNW, along with the clerics and other prominent figures present, also appreciated the Saudi ambassador's affirmation of the security guarantees and the smooth running of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. They also welcomed Saudi Arabia's positive performance in serving and safeguarding the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, the two holiest mosques in Islam.

Closing his speech, HNW also reminded the public about the fate of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which remains under Israeli control. HNW urged a more active and effective role for Saudi Arabia in "rescuing and liberating" the mosque from Israeli control. He believed that effectively defending and rescuing the Al-Aqsa Mosque considered the third-holiest mosque, would add to the glory of serving both Holy Mosques and unite Muslims worldwide.

"And with the cessation of war and the presence of peace based on global justice, including the liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the 2026 Hajj can actually be an important momentum to present global cooperation and unity of Muslims at the world level, which will only bring benefits to all humanity," he said.