Indonesia, Pakistan, India Lead Hajj 2026 Quotas as Costs Rise

By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter

Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) More than 1.5 million Muslims are heading to Saudi Arabia for Hajj as governments raise concerns over rising pilgrimage costs.

Saudi Arabia allocates Hajj quotas to countries based on their Muslim population, typically allocating 1000 Muslims per million Muslims.

However, the quota does not reflect population size alone. It can also be influenced by agreements between countries and Saudi Arabia, Hajj management preparedness, registration capacity, and how each country completes procedures related to pilgrims.

This year, the three countries with the largest allocations are Indonesia, Pakistan and India. Indonesia leads with about 221,000 pilgrims. Pakistan has been allocated 179,210 pilgrims, while India received 175,025.

Somalia has been allocated 11,500 pilgrims this year, while Djibouti is sending about 1,400 pilgrims. This makes Somalia one of the Horn of Africa countries with the largest Hajj quotas, although its allocation remains far smaller than those of countries with large Muslim populations such as Indonesia, Pakistan and India.

The biggest debate around Hajj this year has been the cost. Several countries have raised concerns about rising flight expenses, particularly aviation fuel prices, changes in travel routes, and the cost of internal services for pilgrims.

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Indonesia blamed higher fuel prices and currency shifts. Pakistan said it would absorb those costs and not raise fees for pilgrims. India, meanwhile, added a surcharge, citing unusual regional factors.

Somalia set Hajj 2026 package price at $4,543.50. However, some pilgrims complained about missing services, including food, but organizers said those items weren’t included in the package.

Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs confirmed that food isn't included in the official Hajj fee. Hajj service companies said local transport in Makkah and Madinah is also excluded, adding to costs for some pilgrims.

Last year, the total number of pilgrims was nearly 1.67 million. More than 1.5 million pilgrims came from outside Saudi Arabia, while a smaller number came from within the kingdom. Most foreign pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia by air, while others entered through land borders and seaports.

Hajj 2026 once again highlights the importance of the quota system, countries’ preparations, and Saudi Arabia’s capacity to host millions of Muslims. But this year, the main issue facing pilgrims is the financial burden of travel, accommodation, food and internal transport.