Controversy over Hajj Ticket Lottery: How Did This Discourse Begin?

In recent days, discussions have emerged regarding a new Hajj organisation scheme in the form of a “ticket lottery,” which has become a topic of conversation. The scheme arises in response to the long Hajj queues in Indonesia amid limited quotas. To address the lengthy Hajj queues in Indonesia, the government through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is examining several systems to find solutions. Initially, Irfan highlighted the current long Hajj queues. This statement was delivered at the Opening of the National Consolidation Meeting for Hajj Worship Organisation 1447 H/2026 AD, at the Tangerang Hajj Hostel, on Wednesday (8/4/2026). These Hajj queues are a result of the increasing number of registrants each year, accompanied by quota limitations. The government, according to Irfan, is beginning to re-examine the existing system to find solutions to the problem of long queues. In the past, the public could register and depart in a relatively short time. However, this situation has changed with the increasing number of registrants and annual quota limitations. Irfan also conveyed that they are starting to reconsider whether the long queues still need to be maintained. “When we talk about Hajj queues, our thinking at Kemenhaj, especially the Deputy Minister, is whether such long queues are necessary, whether it shouldn’t be reconsidered before there was BPKH,” he said, as seen on the official Instagram account of Kemenhaj @kemenhaj.ri. On that occasion, Irfan also mentioned the possibility of implementing a system similar to a ticket lottery mechanism. “Something like a ticket lottery,” said Irfan. This idea emerges as one alternative to regulate Hajj departures without long queues. However, he emphasised that implementing such a system is not an easy matter.