The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is taking strategic steps to improve service standards for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. Starting from the 2027 or 1448 Hijri Hajj season, the government will mandate the implementation of 'health manasik' as an intensive guidance instrument for every prospective pilgrim before departing for the Holy Land.
Deputy Minister of Hajj, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, explained that this policy aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the physical condition of the pilgrims. The initiative is an evaluative response after recording a pilgrim mortality rate of 360 lives during the 2026 Hajj season. Although this figure shows a downward trend compared to 2025 which reached 467 lives, the government remains committed to minimizing health risks as much as possible.
In practice, Kemenhaj will tighten the health 'istitha'ah' (fitness) examination. Pilgrims who are assessed to not have adequate physical conditions or are unable to perform the series of rituals independently risk having their departure delayed. This is not without reason, considering that the Saudi Arabian government now requires every sending country to guarantee that all of its pilgrims are in a healthy and independent condition.
This health check is now a crucial aspect of Hajj departure administration. With the existence of the health manasik, it is hoped that prospective pilgrims can be more proactive in maintaining physical fitness long before the departure time, so they can carry out the entire Hajj pilgrimage process smoothly in accordance with the international standards set by the Saudi Arabian government.
