The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously raising safety standards for Indonesian pilgrims. Although the 2026 Hajj implementation recorded up to a 25 percent reduction in mortality rates, the government feels the need to conduct a deep evaluation to further reduce mortality in the future.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, stated that the success of implementing the current health istitha'ah (fitness for Hajj) system is not yet fully satisfying. Speaking at the National Working Meeting on the Evaluation of the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj Pilgrimage in East Jakarta, Irfan emphasized that strengthening health requirements will be a top priority in drafting future Hajj policies.
The evaluation results from the 2026 Hajj season will serve as a reference to formulate new medical requirements for prospective pilgrims before departing for the Holy Land. This strategic measure is taken as a form of preventive protection so that pilgrims can perform their worship in a better prepared and maintained physical condition.
In addition to health aspects, Kemenhaj also highlighted the effectiveness of other service innovations, such as province-based quota management, digitalization via the Nusuk Card, and Hajj cost efficiency (BPIH). However, Irfan specifically stressed the importance of improving service quality in Mina, which still faces a number of technical obstacles in the field.
To strengthen the ministry's internal readiness in facing upcoming operational Hajj challenges, Irfan has also scheduled a retreat for staff members. This step is expected to boost organizational capacity, both mentally and in terms of solidarity among all officers involved in ensuring the success of Hajj operations in the coming years.
