Kurdish pilgrims carry the Kurdistan flag while performing Hajj rituals near Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia. The Kurdistan Region’s Hajj and Umrah Directorate said nearly 90,000 people have registered online for next year’s pilgrimage.
Kurdistan Region sees 90,000 register online for 2026 Hajj
ERBIL — Nearly 90,000 people in the Kurdistan Region have registered electronically for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, marking the first time the region has fully transitioned to a digital registration system, officials said Monday.
Karwan Stuni, spokesperson for the General Directorate of Hajj and Umrah, told 964media that citizens were able to complete their applications from home without needing to visit any government office or pay additional costs. “Around 90,000 citizens from the Kurdistan Region have registered for next year’s Hajj easily from their homes, without needing to visit any office or pay for forms, copies, or additional fees,” he said.
He described the shift to online registration as a service provided by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to simplify the process for prospective pilgrims.
According to Stuni, the KRG has allocated $6.5 million annually to support Hajj operations since the current cabinet took office. The funds are used to subsidize costs and assist pilgrims during their journey.
Registration for the 2026 Hajj has now closed. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs is currently verifying applications, after which a lottery will be held to select participants.
Previously, applicants were required to apply in person at local offices and pay a 25,000-dinar ($17.60) fee for form submissions. This year’s system eliminated those requirements entirely.