Jakarta, Feb. 17 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing the protection of elderly and high-risk pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj, including by strengthening health istithaah , or readiness, assessments.

"Protecting pilgrims, especially older adults and those at high risk, is our top priority for this year's Hajj season," Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Saudi-Indonesian Umrah Co. Exchange forum in Makkah on Monday, the minister emphasized that protection efforts must begin during the preparation phase in Indonesia. This includes reinforcing health istithaah , which he described not merely as an administrati...