Malaysian pilgrims face disappointment and financial uncertainty as the government advises postponing trips to the Middle East due to escalating regional conflict.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians planning to perform umrah are grappling with disappointment and uncertainty after the government advised travellers to postpone trips to the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions.
For many would-be pilgrims, the advisory means putting aside long-held family aspirations while others worry the wider economic fallout could drive up travel costs and strain household finances.
For Tina Abdullah, 55, the news was a heavy blow.
She had hoped to perform umrah with her children for the first time, a pilgrimage she had dreamed of for years.
“I have been planning to perform umrah with my family for years, especially with my children who have never been before. Learning about the war was deeply upsetting for us.”
Still, she believes there may be a larger purpose behind the delay.
“We take it as a sign that maybe it is not yet our rezeki (destined provision from God). I believe Allah has a better plan for us.”
Tina had planned to travel later this year and had already begun saving, although bookings had not yet been finalised.
“For me, if not Haj, performing umrah with my children has always been a dream.
“I am now 55 and planning to retire early, and my children are busy with work, so doing this pilgrimage together has always been on my bucket list,” she added.
Despite the disappointment, Tina stressed safety must come first.
“Yes, safety should always come first even if we have planned the trip for a long time. We must take care of ourselves and be cautious.”
She also voiced concern about the broader economic impact of the conflict.
“I cannot predict how long the war will last, but regardless, the global economy will be affected and many things could become more expensive.”
For Hafizul Naim, 32, the advisory disrupted plans with his wife that were nearly finalised.
“We hadn’t officially booked our umrah package yet, but we were very close to finalising everything before the war broke out.”
The newlyweds had been looking forward to performing the pilgrimage together as a meaningful start to their married life.
“Of course, I feel disappointed because my wife and I have been planning this trip for more than a year, but safety must come first.
“We hope the situation stabilises soon so we can still carry out our pilgrimage later this year.”
For Aishah (not her real name), the advisory also prompted a hard look at finances.
“I’m hoping to go together with my family but with the current situation maybe it is best to postpone for now,” she said, noting conflicts often ripple through global markets.
“I think the war could affect prices here in Malaysia as well. Things are already quite expensive and if the situation worsens, the cost of travel, flights and even daily necessities might increase.”
She added that financial stability is a key consideration before committing to the pilgrimage.
“So perhaps it is wiser to wait until the situation becomes more stable, both in terms of safety and the economy.”
The advisory follows a call by Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil on Saturday urging Muslims to delay travel to conflict-affected areas until conditions are deemed safe.
He said the guidance aligns with the syariah principle of preserving life (hifz al-nafs), which prioritises safety when it cannot be guaranteed, and stressed authorities must prioritise public welfare in all decisions.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan recommended Malaysians temporarily postpone umrah plans, citing the unstable security situation in West Asia.
