- Indonesia’s Hajj authorities say 220,283 prospective pilgrims have undergone health checks ahead of the payment stage, with the vast majority meeting the istitha’ah standard.
- Minister Mohammad Irfan Yusuf told lawmakers that 216,237 regular Hajj candidates and 13,485 special Hajj candidates were declared fit, while a smaller number were deemed unfit or still under review.
- The ministry defended stricter health eligibility rules, arguing they are designed to safeguard pilgrims during the Hajj, as thousands of examinations and follow-up evaluations continue.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammad Irfan Yusuf has outlined the latest progress in domestic preparations for the Hajj, particularly the “istitha’ah” health assessments required before pilgrims proceed to the cost payment stage.
Irfan, widely known as Gus Irfan, said a total of 220,283 prospective pilgrims have completed medical examinations, covering both regular Hajj applicants and those registered under the special Hajj scheme.
Of that figure, 216,237 regular Hajj pilgrims were declared to meet the istitha’ah health requirement. In the special Hajj category, 13,485 pilgrims were deemed fit out of 14,644 people examined.
“Those deemed istitha’ah in the regular category number 216,237, while in the special Hajj category 13,485 are deemed istitha’ah. In regular Hajj, 1,135 are not istitha’ah, and in special Hajj 34,” Irfan said during a meeting with House of Representatives Commission VIII at the Senayan parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2026).
He acknowledged that the policy of tightening health-based eligibility often draws criticism, with some suggesting the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is restricting people’s chances to perform the pilgrimage.
However, Irfan stressed the policy is intended to protect pilgrims’ safety throughout the series of Hajj rituals.
“Sometimes we receive comments that the Hajj Ministry is not giving people opportunities to perform the pilgrimage. In fact, we want this istitha’ah requirement to be properly implemented,” he said.
He also said some pilgrims remain in a category requiring further evaluation, totaling 704 people in regular Hajj and 134 people in special Hajj.
“Meanwhile, those still in the examination process number 2,207 for regular Hajj and 991 for special Hajj,” he added.
Indonesianpost.com | Inilah