High Demand and Deviant Business Practices Fuel Recurring Illegal Hajj Pilgrimages

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Member of the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII, Maman Imanul Haq, has emphasised that the phenomenon of illegal Hajj is highly complex. He assesses that the problem is a combination of intense demand pressure, regulatory gaps, and deviant business practices.

According to him, the public still resorts to illegal Hajj due to the extremely long queues for regular Hajj. In many regions, the waiting period can span ten to twenty years. This creates a ‘market of desperation’. Meanwhile, the public wishes to embark on Hajj quickly, especially for those of advanced age.

“Official alternatives are limited and expensive, for example, special Hajj (ONH Plus) is costly, while routes like furoda (mujamalah visa) are now very restricted and practically unavailable,” Maman told Republika on Monday (11/5/2026).

Maman explained that when legal routes narrow, illegal ones exploit the gaps. Due to low literacy and excessive trust, some members of the public are easily convinced by quick-departure Hajj packages, particularly if they are packaged with religious symbols or certain figures.

Additionally, psychological-spiritual factors play a role. The desire to perform Hajj is considered a divine calling that cannot be delayed. This factor is often exploited by unscrupulous individuals to justify shortcuts.