Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been deported from Saudi Arabia and prevented from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, despite having obtained a valid visa for the religious journey.
The Kaduna-based scholar confirmed the unexpected development through a post on his official Facebook page on Monday, May 26, 2025, revealing that Saudi authorities cited his views on world politics as the reason for the ban.
Gumi explained that while Saudi officials had initially granted him a visa to perform the pilgrimage, he was subsequently barred from proceeding to Medina to begin his religious rites. The scholar indicated that his political commentary and perspectives on global affairs had apparently drawn the attention of Saudi authorities, leading to the decision to prevent his participation in this year’s Hajj.
“Due to some reasons related to my views on world politics, the authorities in Saudi Arabia do not want me to be present at Hajj even though they have granted me a visa,” Gumi wrote in his Facebook post, acknowledging the unusual circumstances surrounding his deportation.
The Islamic scholar expressed appreciation for the Nigerian government’s response to his situation, noting that federal authorities have committed to engaging with their Saudi counterparts regarding the matter. “I am grateful to the authorities in Nigeria who have pledged to engage with the Saudi authorities on this matter,” he stated.
According to available information, Sheikh Gumi was traveling as part of an official delegation of Islamic scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for this year’s pilgrimage to the holy sites in Saudi Arabia. The delegation represented part of Nigeria’s organized approach to facilitating religious pilgrimages for its citizens.
The incident occurred when Gumi arrived in Medina on Saturday night at approximately 10:30 p.m. aboard an Umza Air flight, traveling alongside other Islamic clerics who were part of the same delegation. However, upon arrival at the airport, Saudi immigration officials reportedly intercepted the scholar and prevented him from entering the country.
The deportation of such a prominent Nigerian Islamic figure has raised questions about the criteria used by Saudi authorities in evaluating pilgrims and the extent to which political views might influence religious pilgrimage permissions. Sheikh Gumi is widely known in Nigeria for his outspoken commentary on various political and social issues, particularly those affecting the northern regions of the country.
The development comes at a time when millions of Muslims from around the world are preparing to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam that every financially and physically capable Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime.
The Nigerian government’s pledge to engage with Saudi authorities suggests that diplomatic channels may be employed to address the situation, though it remains unclear whether such intervention could result in the reversal of the decision for this year’s pilgrimage period.
This incident highlights the complex intersection between religious observance and political expression, particularly for high-profile clerics whose views on international affairs may influence their ability to participate in religious activities in other countries. The case of Sheikh Gumi’s deportation may set a precedent for how political commentary by religious leaders could affect their international travel and religious observances.
