Hajj Without Queues: Is It Possible?

In the Hajj pilgrimage journey, there are two known registration systems: continuous throughout the year and once a year. Continuous registration involves queues and low costs. Meanwhile, annual registration has no queues but high costs. Malaysia and Indonesia are two pioneering countries in implementing lifelong Hajj registration, departing according to queue numbers, with Hajj pilgrims’ costs subsidised from the management of pilgrims’ funds.

To manage Hajj funds, Malaysia established Tabung Haji with current assets equivalent to Rp 350 trillion. Indonesia formed the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) with assets of approximately Rp 230 trillion (2025). Other major Hajj-sending countries, such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Bangladesh, use annual quota registration without queues and do not have Hajj funds.

Before the 1990s, Indonesia used a no-queue registration system. However, due to very high registration interest, a queue system was implemented: registering throughout the year and departing based on the annual quota order. The regulation of year-round Hajj registration was first enshrined in Indonesia by Law No. 17 of 1999 on the Organisation of the Hajj Pilgrimage.

These provisions remain in effect today, updated through Law No. 14 of 2025. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. The queue system is more transparent, certain, and fair.

Countries organising the Hajj can collect funds from initial deposits, and the returns from their management can reduce the Hajj cost burden for each pilgrim. The disadvantage of continuous registration is that queues become increasingly long.

In Indonesia, the average waiting time for new registrants currently reaches around 25 years for regular Hajj pilgrims and 7 years for special Hajj pilgrims. In Malaysia, it is more than 100 years for regular Hajj.

The annual registration system is conducted without queues; prospective Hajj pilgrims register once in a ‘sequence’, ‘lottery’, or ‘competition’ system, depending on the chosen method. Those who enter the annual quota can depart immediately. Those who do not enter the quota can participate again the following year. With this system, there are no waiting pilgrims.

However, with the sequence or lottery system each year, there is no certainty of when departure will occur, and due to high interest, prospective pilgrims may register every year until selected. If selected, prospective pilgrims pay according to economic costs, which are expensive.

This system in Indonesia is known as Furoda or non-quota Hajj. Without queues but no certainty due to waiting for Saudi visa availability, and the costs are high, potentially up to 10 times the regular Hajj cost.

In 2019, Hajj mission representatives from large Hajj groups such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Libya, Bangladesh, and several African countries conducted a study on Hajj fund management in Indonesia. In 2022, a delegation from the Nigerian Hajj Authority (NAHCON) visited Indonesia to learn about the queue system and Hajj fund management. They intend to explore the year-round registration system and establish a professional Hajj Financial Management Institution that provides benefits for Hajj pilgrims.

Currently, many countries face difficulties in managing high interest from prospective Hajj pilgrims and limited quotas. There is a wave of dissatisfaction with the lottery or sequence Hajj registration system, which favours those with access.

Prospective Hajj pilgrims from these Hajj-sending countries also object to paying continuously increasing Hajj costs, especially service costs in Saudi Arabia. This additional burden is difficult to pass on to the state due to existing budget limitations.

Additionally, it is difficult to obtain allocations with the argument that Hajj pilgrim costs are a personal matter not burdened on the state, except for quota management, passports, visas, training, officials, and Hajj offices.

Currently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government organises the Hajj through Government Hajj Missions and private travel representatives. It appears that in the future, with Saudi Vision 2023, Hajj will continue in a hybrid manner and encourage more cooperation with private providers without queues.

Hajj organisation is moving towards digitalisation. Saudi Vision 2030 aims to revolutionise Hajj pilgrimage organisation by digitalising registration, increasing capacity to 5 million pilgrims, and enhancing security. Key initiatives include electronic visa services and broader private Hajj quotas through simplified entry procedures to improve service quality and efficiency.

Research shows that Hajj registration is shifting to a highly digital and centralised system, largely managed through the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Nusuk Hajj platform for international pilgrims (hajj.nusuk.sa). The World Hajj and Umrah Convention (WHUC), based in London, highlights the importance of this shift, supporting digitalisation of services to align with Saudi Vision 2030, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and efficient management.

Before moving to a hybrid or mixed system, Indonesia needs to prepare modern Hajj management, financial management, service orientation, and digitalisation through adjusting the functions of the Ministry of Religious Affairs as an effective system provider, aggregator, and educator.

Financial management should continue to collaborate with professional institutions like BPKH. Currently, the focus of the Government and the Indonesian House of Representatives is to ensure the smooth organisation of the 1447H or 2026 Hajj to rebuild a reputation that has been tarnished in recent years.

Anggito Abimanyu. Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).