হজ্জ Quota

What Does হজ্জ Quota Mean in Detail?

The হজ্জ quota system was established by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in agreement with Saudi Arabia to manage the massive logistical challenge of hosting millions of হাজীগণ. The standard formula allocates 1,000 হজ্জ slots per million Muslim citizens of each country. Saudi Arabia has the authority to adjust quotas based on capacity constraints, expansion projects, or extraordinary circumstances (as seen during COVID-19 when quotas were dramatically reduced). Countries receive their quota allocation and then distribute slots through various mechanisms — some use lotteries, others use waiting lists, and some prioritize elderly or first-time হাজীগণ. The quota system ensures that no single country monopolizes access to হজ্জ and that crowd density remains manageable for safety. Some countries' demand far exceeds their quota, resulting in waiting times of several years.