Indonesian Muslims face up to 40-year Hajj wait: Report

ANKARA

Indonesian Muslims face up to a 40-year wait to perform Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca, according to the head of the largest Islamic organization in the country, local media reported Monday.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) -- considered among the largest Islamic organizations globally in terms of membership -- raised his concerns over the decades-long waiting period for Indonesian Muslims, while speaking at the 49th Hajj symposium held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, a report by the Jakarta Globe said.

Although Indonesia, the world's most populated Muslim country, has the largest Hajj quota -- currently 220,000 pilgrims annually -- it remains insufficient due to the overwhelming demand, according to the daily.

Over 5.5 million Indonesians are currently registered, leading to estimated wait times of between 20 and 40 years.

Yahya noted that reinforcing a once-in-a-lifetime Hajj policy would help ensure a fairer allocation of quotas.

According to Saudi Arabia's Hajj policy for 2025, nearly 2 million pilgrims from all over the world will perform Hajj.

Riyadh assigns Hajj pilgrimage slots primarily based on Muslim population -- under a 1987 resolution by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation -- which allows countries to send one pilgrim per 1,000 Muslims.

According to the latest policy, first-time pilgrims will receive priority.

The Hajj pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith -- a ritual that must be performed by all Muslims, if financially viable, at least once in their lives.