Minister Announces Hajj Ticket Lottery Still Just a Concept, Pilgrim Queues Not to Be Cancelled

Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Menhaj) Moch Irfan Yusuf stated that the implementation of a “ticket lottery” system for Hajj organisation in Indonesia is still at the concept and discussion stage. He assured that the system would not eliminate the queues of already registered pilgrims. “But this is still just a concept. So pilgrims don’t need to worry, like ‘I’ve been queuing for 10 years and now it’s cancelled’—no, it’s not,” said Irfan after a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (14/4). “Clearly, we will not cancel the queues. They will remain for pilgrims who have been waiting 5 years, 10 years, 15 years—no need to worry,” he added. According to him, breakthroughs are needed to shorten the overly long queues for prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. He said the plan requires discussions with relevant parties such as the DPR, Hajj business actors, and pilgrims. The decision will not be made in the near future. “Discussions will continue, but perhaps not called ‘war-ticket’ or whatever the term is,” he said. Irfan initially raised the Hajj ticket lottery concept some time ago. The proposal was intended as a solution so that prospective pilgrims do not have to wait too long to depart for the Holy Land. “The thought arose: do we need such long queues? Shouldn’t we consider returning to the era before the BPKH (Hajj Financial Management Agency) existed? Before BPKH, insha’Allah, there were no queues,” said the Menhaj at the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) for Consolidation of Hajj Worship Organisation for 1447 H/2025 M, held at the Grand El Hajj Hajj Dormitory (Cipondoh Hajj Dormitory), Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday (8/4). However, the proposal received criticism from several parties.