Hajj Ministry Gathers Notes for 2026 Pilgrimage Evaluation, Tightens Health Rules

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has stated it has gathered a number of notes as evaluation material for the 2026 hajj implementation, namely the mobilisation of pilgrims in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna) and the health istitha’ah policy. “Certainly there are many evaluations, this is the first year the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has directly organised the pilgrimage, there are several important notes, especially regarding movement in Armuzna and secondly concerning health istitha’ah,” said Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak in Malang City, East Java, on Friday (12/6/2026). Dahnil stated that the assignment pattern for officers during pilgrim movement in Armuzna will be improved so they can provide more intensive services to pilgrims. He acknowledged that the health istitha’ah policy is an important note because the mortality rate among pilgrims, particularly from East Java, remains high despite having decreased compared to last year. Dahnil conveyed that the number of East Java pilgrims who died in 2025 reached 104 people, whereas in 2026 the death toll fell to 65 people. Therefore, Kemenhaj will tighten the enforcement of health requirements for every citizen intending to perform the pilgrimage in the 2027 hajj season. “Next year we will be more selective, for example those with indications of dementia will be barred from departing, those with kidney disease, tuberculosis (TBC), and so on, we will ensure they cannot depart,” he said. Additionally, the ministry is currently formulating the Hajj Travel Cost (BPIH) for 2027 and striving to ensure there is no significant increase due to the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar. “Of course we are trying to find a financing posture that is fair for the pilgrims and fair for hajj finances,” he stated. Deputy Minister Dahnil’s visit to Malang City was to provide support to Muhaimin, a hajj officer whose wife recently passed away. On that occasion, Dahnil conveyed that his arrival with Kemenhaj at the house of mourning was to offer moral support to the deceased’s family. Dahnil added that hajj officers are truly part of the Kemenhaj family. Muhaimin is currently still carrying out his duties as a hajj officer in Saudi Arabia. “He, Cak Imin (Muhaimin’s nickname), is fulfilling his responsibilities until completion in the holy land,” he said.