Risks of Independent Umrah Travel to be Aware of by Indonesian Pilgrims

The Association of Indonesian Muslim Hajj and Umrah Organizers (Amphuri) has revealed the significant risks of independent Umrah travel. There is a lack of guidance and legal protection for pilgrims traveling to the holy land. “In case of failed departures, scams, or incidents like lost baggage and visa delays, there is no one to be held accountable,” said Amphuri’s Secretary General, Zaky Zakariya, as quoted by Antara.
Additionally, pilgrims are also vulnerable to breaking rules in Saudi Arabia due to the lack of guidance and understanding of local regulations. This includes visa expiry issues (overstay), dressing restrictions related to political attributes, or engaging in activities deemed disruptive to public order.
Past negative experiences serve as important lessons. Zaky noted that a dark history of Hajj and Umrah scams has occurred, even when supervision was stringent. “History shows numerous cases of Umrah and Hajj scams, including a major tragedy in 2016 when over 120,000 people failed to depart. Even with strict monitoring, scams still occur, especially if independent Umrah practices are legalized,” he emphasized.
Therefore, independent Umrah travel cannot be equated to regular tourism. As it is considered a spiritual worship, Umrah requires guidance and spiritual value. “If the role of religious institutions such as Islamic boarding schools, Islamic organizations, and Umrah Hajj Organizers is neglected, the spiritual values that have accompanied the pilgrimage journey will vanish. Umrah could then turn into a mere digital transaction devoid of spiritual significance,” he concluded.