Discussions on Hajj Ticket Wars: Between Hopes and Anxieties of Prospective Pilgrims

The proposal by Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) to introduce a ticket war scheme for Hajj departures has sparked diverse responses from prospective pilgrims. On one hand, the idea is seen as a solution to shorten the long queues. On the other hand, many worry that the policy could open new avenues for injustice.

Prospective pilgrim from Bandung, Erna Mardiana (40 years old), is one of those voicing opposition. She and her husband have been registered for Hajj since 2021 and must wait up to 23 years to depart for the Holy Land.

Despite the long wait, for her, the ‘ticket war’ concept brings more harm than good. She assesses that experiences in various sectors show that quick ticket hunting systems are often marred by scalping practices.

“Regarding the ticket war discourse, I don’t agree. Even concert ticket wars are rife with scalpers (jastip), let alone Hajj tickets,” said Erna to Republika on Monday (13/4/2026).

According to her, the scheme has the potential to be unfair, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and prospective pilgrims who are less tech-savvy. Additionally, she highlights the fate of millions of pilgrims who have been waiting in line for years.

“Ticket wars are also unfair for prospective pilgrims who are tech-illiterate, the elderly, and also prospective pilgrims who have been waiting for decades,” she stated.