By Ollus Ndomu
Saudi Arabian authorities have deported prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and barred him from participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, citing concerns related to his political and religious views.
Sheikh Gumi, who was part of a National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) delegation of Islamic scholars assigned to provide religious guidance during the 2025 pilgrimage, was reportedly turned away shortly after his arrival in the Kingdom.
“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 said in a statement released on Monday.
The cleric, a well-known figure in northern Nigeria, is recognized for his outspoken opinions on security issues, the role of Muslim clerics, and international politics. At times, his interpretations of Islamic law have diverged from the more conservative interpretations dominant in Saudi Arabia, particularly on issues of diplomacy, extremism, and regional conflicts.
Although Saudi authorities have not issued a formal public statement explaining the deportation, sources close to the Nigerian delegation suggest that concerns were raised about Gumi’s public rhetoric and theological positions, which may have been seen as inconsistent with the religious atmosphere and rules governing the Hajj.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s five pillars, attracts millions of Muslims from around the world each year. However, access to the holy sites is strictly regulated by Saudi authorities, who maintain tight control over religious discourse during the period.
NAHCON has not issued an official comment, but an official familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Gumi was sponsored by the commission and that his deportation was “unexpected and diplomatically sensitive.”
Sheikh Gumi has frequently made headlines in Nigeria for engaging with bandit groups in the country’s northwest and for urging dialogue over military confrontation. His controversial positions have sparked both criticism and praise among different sections of the Nigerian public.
His deportation comes at a time of heightened religious sensitivity globally, with many governments closely monitoring clerical figures whose public pronouncements touch on politically charged issues.
It remains unclear whether Nigeria’s foreign ministry will lodge a formal protest or seek clarification from Saudi authorities. For now, Sheikh Gumi has returned to Nigeria, where his exclusion from the 2025 Hajj has already sparked heated debates on freedom of religious expression and the politics of pilgrimage access.
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