The Pros and Cons of Indonesia's Independent Umrah Policy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has now legalized independent umrah as regulated in Law Number 14 of 2025 concerning the Organization of Hajj and Umrah. This is in line with the policies set by the Saudi Arabian government. However, the association of entrepreneurs rejects this policy as it is considered to be endangering the continuity of business and potentially harmful to pilgrims. Here are a series of facts regarding the policy of independent umrah which has sparked both pros and cons.

Reasons for AMPHURI Rejects Independent Umrah Policy

The Association of Indonesian Muslim Hajj and Umrah Organizers (AMPHURI) rejects the implementation of independent umrah. The Secretary General of AMPHURI, Zaki Zakariya, stated that the legally endorsed independent umrah policy could have a negative ripple effect, one of which is for the hajj organizers. "This has caused deep concern among official organizers and umrah and hajj business practitioners throughout Indonesia," said Zaki when contacted on Sunday, October 26th, 2025.

Zaki believes that the policy could lead to the collapse of the umrah travel business ecosystem or PPIU. According to him, many PPIUs are managed by community organizations, religious boarding schools, zakat institutions, and Islamic preachers.

He is concerned that once independent umrah is legalized, the current system will be replaced by a global platform that is profit-oriented. As a result, he believes there will be a shift from the spiritual value of umrah to purely commercial transactions.

Gradually, this will have an impact on the economy. Zaki noted that the umrah and hajj sector has provided millions of jobs with various positions, ranging from tour leaders, spiritual guides, equipment providers to local accommodations and catering.

"If the legalization of independent umrah is implemented without restrictions, then there will be a domino effect including thousands of PPIUs shutting down and millions of employees losing their jobs," said Zaki.

In addition to the economic impact, Zaki sees potential risks that could harm pilgrims. According to him, pilgrims who perform independent umrah are potentially not receiving the necessary religious guidance, fiqh guidance, and legal protection while in the Holy Land.

The more serious consequence, he said, is if there are failures in departure or delays in visa issuance, then the pilgrims will not have anyone to hold accountable. "Independent umrah may seem to provide freedom, but it actually carries great risks for pilgrims," said Zaki.

In practice, Zaki said that many pilgrims do not understand the regulations in Saudi Arabia. As a result, pilgrims often violate the religious norms or even face sanctions. With such conditions, Zaki believes pilgrims are more vulnerable when performing independent umrah without supervision.

DPR Urges Entrepreneurs Not to Panic Due to the Legalization of Independent Umrah by the Government

Member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR), Ashari Tambunan, urged hajj and umrah service providers not to overreact to the implementation of independent umrah regulations.

According to Ashari, the policy aims to provide legal certainty for all parties, to expand access and flexibility for people who want to go to the Holy Land in a more independent manner. The politician from the PKB party affirmed that the legalization of independent umrah is not intended to shut down hajj and umrah travel businesses.

"Entrepreneurs should not panic. The umrah market in Indonesia still requires professional services, from spiritual guidance, accommodation, to technical assistance. The difference now is that the community has more diverse choices," said Ashari in a written statement quoted on Sunday, October 26th, 2025.

Ashari said that changes in regulations should be responded to with adaptation, not resistance. He encouraged travel entrepreneurs to transform by not only selling umrah packages, but also by enhancing the value of their services.

According to Ashari, responsible travel entrepreneurs are those who can innovate through strengthening quality standards, ensuring the safety of pilgrims, and transparency in financing. "Independent umrah does not mean without rules, it actually demands greater responsibility," he said.

The former Regent of Deli Serdang also called for reforms in umrah starting from honest and measurable business arrangements. He highlighted various issues in umrah management that still exist, such as weak supervision, short-term business orientation, and lack of protection for pilgrims who fail to depart.

"We need an integrated supervision system that covers visas, accommodation, and transportation. There should no longer be practices of 'cheap sales, uncertain departures','" said Ashari.

He also urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to immediately issue implementation regulations to serve as a reference for the public to understand the detailed procedures for independent umrah. This includes accommodation requirements, transportation, insurance, and reporting of pilgrims.

Reasons for the Ministry of Hajj to Legalize Independent Umrah

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the legalization of independent umrah through Law Number 14 of 2025 concerning the Organization of Hajj and Umrah aims to provide legal certainty and protection for pilgrims.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj, Ichsan Marsha, said that independent umrah essentially provides space for pilgrims to independently arrange the entire process of their pilgrimage without going through hajj and umrah travel organizers (PPIU). "From visa application, flight ticket booking, accommodation, to services in the Holy Land can be arranged directly by the pilgrims," said Ichsan when contacted on Sunday, October 26th, 2025.

Ichsan mentioned that the practice of independent umrah has been ongoing in the last few years, since the Saudi government opened individual visa access as part of the umrah management reform. Therefore, he said, the Indonesian government needs to regulate this phenomenon to ensure the safety and protection of pilgrims.

He added that the policy is also an adaptation to the changes in regulations imposed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. "This law is here to provide legal protection and ensure that independent umrah pilgrims are well served," said Ichsan.

Deputy Minister of Hajj: Legalizing Independent Umrah to Align with Saudi Regulations

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak mentioned that the independent umrah policy is regulated to align with the regulations of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. Currently, according to Dahnil, the gate for the implementation of independent umrah is wide open in Saudi Arabia.

"Regulation-wise, Indonesia must be compatible and even adapt to the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so within the revision of the law together with the DPR, we legalize independent umrah," said Dahnil in a video statement received by Tempo on Saturday, October 25th, 2025.

Dahnil stated that the legalization of independent umrah is based on radical changes in the development of the umrah economic ecosystem. He mentioned that many independent umrah pilgrims from all over the world, including Indonesia, have been doing so for a while.

According to Dahnil, even when the old Hajj and Umrah Law did not accommodate the implementation of independent umrah, Indonesian umrah pilgrims still did so because the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi opened that opportunity. "We want to protect all of our umrah pilgrims, so we include it in the law to ensure the protection of independent umrah pilgrims," he said.

Rules regarding independent umrah are stipulated in Article 86 paragraph (1) of the Hajj and Umrah Law. "The pilgrimage of umrah is carried out: a. through PPIU (Hajj and Umrah Travel Organizers); b. independently; or c. through the Minister," the regulation reads.

The latest revised law also includes Article 87A which regulates the requirements for independent umrah. Every person performing independent umrah must meet the following five requirements:

a. Muslim;

b. Having a passport valid for at least 6 (six) months from the date of departure;

c. Having a plane ticket to Saudi Arabia with clear dates of departure and return;

d. Having a health certificate from a doctor; and

e. Having a visa and proof of purchasing service packages from a service provider through the Ministry's Information System.

Ervana Trikarinaputri and Dani Aswara contributed to this article.

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