Indonesia has opened a formal review of its 2026 Hajj operation, with the government pointing to lower pilgrim costs, wider use of digital Nusuk Cards and a sharp fall in pilgrim deaths as evidence that recent reforms are working. The assessment came as officials also acknowledged that healthcare and conditions in Mina remain areas needing urgent attention.
The findings were presented by Indonesia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, at the opening of the National Working Meeting on the 2026 Hajj Evaluation, known locally as Rakernas, held in Jakarta on Saturday. Indonesia sends the largest national contingent of pilgrims to Makkah each year, so changes to its Hajj management carry weight for pilgrims across the wider Muslim world.
What changed for pilgrims in 2026
According to Yusuf, one of the most significant reforms was a fairer distribution of Hajj quotas among Indonesia's provinces. The change was designed to make waiting lists and seat allocations more equitable across regions that have long competed for a limited number of places.
The government also reduced the cost of the pilgrimage by around Rp2 million, roughly 111 US dollars per pilgrim. While modest as a single figure, the reduction applies across a contingent that numbers in the hundreds of thousands, easing the financial burden on ordinary families who often save for years to perform the obligation.
A further innovation was the distribution of Nusuk Cards to Indonesian pilgrims before their departure. The card, tied to Saudi Arabia's official Nusuk platform, functions as a digital and physical identifier that links a pilgrim to their permits, group and services inside the Kingdom. Issuing it ahead of travel is intended to reduce confusion on arrival and speed up movement through checkpoints and service points.
Yusuf said these measures had delivered direct benefits to pilgrims, while stressing that further refinements would follow based on the evaluation now under way.
A drop in deaths, but a toll still considered high
The minister highlighted a notable improvement in pilgrim safety. He said the pilgrim mortality rate fell by approximately 25 percent compared with the previous year. Even so, he was careful not to present the figure as a success in isolation.
"A death toll of around 350 is still significant," Yusuf said, adding that strengthening health istitha'ah, the requirement that a pilgrim be physically and mentally fit to perform Hajj, would be one of the ministry's main tasks going forward. In Islamic teaching, istitha'ah is a recognised condition of the obligation, covering physical capability alongside financial means, and Indonesian officials increasingly treat medical screening as central to it.
Yusuf acknowledged that healthcare services for pilgrims remain an area requiring serious attention, signalling that pre-departure health checks and in-country medical support are likely to feature prominently in the reforms proposed for future seasons.
Mina and workforce readiness in focus
The minister singled out services in Mina as one of the main challenges of the 2026 operation. Mina, where pilgrims stay in tents during the days of Hajj and perform the stoning of the pillars, is consistently among the most demanding phases for crowd flow, accommodation and logistics. Yusuf called on ministry officials to prepare concrete measures to improve conditions there.
He said the ministry would also hold a staff retreat to strengthen workforce preparedness, with a focus on physical and mental resilience and stronger teamwork ahead of the next season. The emphasis on trained, well-drilled personnel mirrors a wider regional trend, as Saudi Arabia has separately signalled that completion of training programmes will become a prerequisite for Hajj-related permits.
Yusuf framed the entire evaluation as an exercise in transparency, saying all weaknesses must be assessed openly so that future operations are better prepared and more effective.
Practical guidance for pilgrims
For those planning Hajj through national programmes, the Indonesian review carries several practical lessons. Prospective pilgrims should treat medical fitness as a serious part of preparation, seeking early health checks and managing chronic conditions well before departure rather than close to travel. Where a Nusuk Card or equivalent digital credential is issued before the journey, pilgrims should activate it, verify their details and keep it accessible throughout their stay.
Pilgrims should also plan for the physical demands of Mina and the ritual days, staying hydrated, protecting themselves from heat and following the movement schedules set by their group leaders. Above all, intending pilgrims are reminded that istitha'ah is part of the obligation itself, and that arriving healthy and well-prepared is both a practical necessity and a religious responsibility.