Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Considers "Direct Ticket" System for Queue-Free Hajj Pilgrimage

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is studying proposals to address the decades-long Hajj queuing issue. One emerging idea is implementing a “direct ticket” mechanism or direct registration system without lengthy queues, similar to the Hajj departure process in the past.

Quoting Detik, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf revealed that this idea stems from progressive thinking within the Ministry, including from the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah. The goal is to find solutions so that prospective pilgrims do not have to wait too long to depart for the Holy Land.

“An idea emerged: do we need such a long queue? Shouldn’t we consider returning to the era before the BPKH (Hajj Financial Management Agency) existed? Before the BPKH, insha’Allah, there were no queues,” said the Minister during the National Work Meeting (Rakernas) for Consolidating the Implementation of Hajj Worship for 1447 H/2025 AD, held at the Grand El Hajj Hajj Dormitory (Cipondoh Hajj Dormitory), Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday (8/4), as quoted from Detik.

In this “direct ticket” scheme, the government would later announce the Hajj costs for the current year and open registration on a specific date. Anyone who is financially and physically ready can register directly and depart in the same year.

“Like a direct ticket. Should we consider something like that again? Of course, this is not an easy decision, but as a discourse, it’s perfectly valid to think about,” he added.

This discourse aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s ambition to revolutionise Hajj implementation in the Red and White Cabinet era.

In a Work Meeting (Raker) with Red and White Cabinet officials at the State Palace, Wednesday (8/4), the President emphasised his commitment to shortening the Hajj waiting period, which has long been a major challenge for Muslims in Indonesia.

President Prabowo delivered good news that the government’s efforts are starting to bear fruit. The Hajj queue, which once swelled to 48 years in some regions, is now beginning to be reduced.

“We are now fighting and alhamdulillah, we have reports that the Hajj queue is no longer 48 years. Starting from 2026, the longest Hajj queue will be 26 years, and I will fight to make it even shorter,” said Prabowo in front of the cabinet officials.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak previously explained that Kemenhaj is currently applying a new formula to standardise the waiting period nationally. This is done through revisions to Law No. 8 of 2019 to avoid stark disparities between provinces.

“In the short term, the queue length across Indonesia will be the same. Now some are 48 years, some are 19 years. We want them all to be uniform,” Dahnil explained on Monday (29/9/2025).