Ministry of Hajj reports significant drop in pilgrim death toll

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated that the number of Hajj participants who passed away in the Holy Land up to the 22nd day of operational departures has experienced a significant decline compared to the same period during last year’s Hajj season. “On the same date last year, the number of deaths was 46 to 48 people. This year, it has dropped drastically to 24 people on the same date,” Dahnil said at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Tuesday. Dahnil explained that the reduction in pilgrim mortality rates is inseparable from the tightening of health checks or istithaah health examinations for prospective Hajj participants before departure. Nevertheless, he emphasised that the government does not wish to treat these figures merely as statistics and continues to strive to suppress the number of pilgrim deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage. “(The decline) is indeed due to our very strict stance on istithaah. The Minister and I have repeatedly stressed that it must be even stricter. This is not just a statistic; we do not want any more additions,” Dahnil stated. “Those who passed away are actually people aged 40-50. Why? Because on average, they feel healthy and then push themselves in worship activities. Unknowingly, their energy depletes, illnesses emerge, fatigue sets in, and some end up passing away,” Dahnil added. On the other hand, the Saudi Arabian government is also committed to reducing the death toll among prospective Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land through improved services and health monitoring. He hopes that this year’s pilgrim death toll can be kept far below the approximately 460 from the previous Hajj season. “Last year, there were around 460 deaths; this year, we hope it won’t reach hundreds. We certainly pray that everyone stays healthy,” he said. Dahnil noted that enhancing the quality of pilgrim services is also a crucial factor in maintaining pilgrims’ health while in the Holy Land. Ahead of the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, he urged pilgrims to maintain their physical condition and avoid overexerting themselves in worship activities. “For the pilgrims, we hope they focus on preparations for the Hajj peak, with sufficient rest,” he said.