Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Urges Regions to Cut Ceremonies and Focus on Pilgrims' Health

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has issued a firm warning to local governments not to overdo the farewell ceremonies for prospective Hajj pilgrims. Activities that are too lengthy and repetitive are considered potentially draining the pilgrims’ stamina before undertaking the long journey to the Holy Land. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, stressed that the main focus now is not the grandeur of the event, but the physical condition of the pilgrims, which must remain optimal. “Don’t let pilgrims get exhausted just from attending long ceremonies for too long. They need rest time, not waiting for hours,” Dahnil stated, as quoted from Antara on Wednesday (22/4). The phenomenon of repeated farewell ceremonies, from the regional level to embarkation, has become a serious concern for the government. According to Dahnil, this pattern is actually risky, especially for 2026 Hajj pilgrims with vulnerable conditions. Data shows that the majority of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are dominated by the elderly group, including high-risk categories and people with disabilities. This group requires more efficient time management and stable physical condition before departure. “If there are too many events, pilgrims could get tired before the journey even starts. This must be a concern for all parties,” he emphasised. This appeal was made in conjunction with the departure of the first batch of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims for 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE. A total of 391 pilgrims from Embarkasi Pondok Gede (JKG 1) were officially sent off to Madinah via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday in the early hours at 00:45 WIB using Garuda Indonesia airlines. This departure marks the beginning of this year’s Hajj operations, as well as a momentum for the government to ensure all processes run more efficiently and are oriented towards the safety and comfort of the pilgrims. Kemenhaj hopes that all parties in the regions can adjust the pattern of pilgrim farewells by reducing non-essential ceremonies to maintain the pilgrims’ physical condition optimally until they arrive in the Holy Land.