Earlier this week, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent cleric from Kaduna State, was barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage after Saudi Arabia denied him entry into the country. Gumi took to social media on Monday to announce his return to Nigeria, revealing that Saudi authorities felt “uncomfortable” with his presence in the Holy Land, despite him holding a valid visa.
“For some obvious reasons—my views about world politics—the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable with me being at the Hajj, even after issuing a visa! Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who immediately made it clear they would engage with the Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy,” Gumi stated, although he did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the ban.
This incident has ignited a lively debate across social media, with many speculating about the motivations behind Saudi Arabia’s decision to restrict Gumi’s entry. An investigation by DAILY POST suggests that the ban may be linked to Gumi’s public sermons, where he has criticized the Saudi leadership for shifting from traditional religious governance towards modernization and alignment with global political norms. He believes this transformation undermines the strict Islamic identity that Saudi Arabia has historically represented.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Friday, Sheikh Gumi reaffirmed his position, insisting that he would continue to speak out against Saudi Arabia until meaningful reforms are made. He emphasized that Nigerians enjoy the right to free speech, in stark contrast to the authoritarian regime in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is a police state where you have no freedom of expression. We, on the other hand, were raised in freedom here in Nigeria, and I value that more than anything. In Saudi Arabia, when a mistake is made, people are expected to remain silent. That contradicts Islamic principles, which do not condone silence in the face of wrongdoing. That is the root of our misunderstanding,” he said.
When asked if he feared being banned from the country again during Hajj, Gumi responded, “It’s not compulsory that I must go for Hajj. Even Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio never performed Hajj, yet look at the immense service he rendered to Islam. So no, I am not afraid of being banned.”
Gumi further stated, “We are only helping them correct their mistakes—just as they try to reform society. This is an error on their part, but let it be known: anyone who tries to prevent people from visiting the Grand Mosque in Mecca will not last.”
Addressing the relationship between his sermons and the ban, he acknowledged, “Yes, that’s true. If you are going to stand for truth, you must be prepared to endure. Truth is not loved by everyone. While Saudi Arabia has done a lot to help many countries, it’s now on a path of self-destruction. Any Muslim nation that aligns itself with Western powers is bound to face ruin.”
Gumi expressed concern over the situation in Palestine, questioning how someone funding oppression could be honored while Muslims are disregarded. “No—we will not stop speaking out unless they change. And if they don’t, we will continue to speak.”
Efforts by DAILY POST to obtain a response from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful, as the embassy’s media officer, Mohammed El-Sahabi, did not respond to inquiries regarding the incident.
This incident marks a significant moment in Nigeria-Saudi relations, particularly in northern Nigeria, where Saudi Arabia wields considerable religious influence. Thousands of Islamic scholars from northern Nigeria have studied in Saudi institutions on government scholarships, often expected to advocate for Saudi interests. Sheikh Gumi’s open dissent against the kingdom’s leadership makes his case a notable exception in this context.
