Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, preventing his participation in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage due to his political views.
Prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been deported from Saudi Arabia, effectively barring him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Despite holding a valid visa and being part of a delegation sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Gumi was denied entry into Medina upon arrival at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport on Saturday night via Umza Air.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Gumi attributed the deportation to his political views,.
He stated, “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.”
While Saudi authorities have not provided an official reason for the deportation, observers suggest it may be linked to Gumi’s outspoken political and religious views, which often diverge from the kingdom’s policies.
Gumi has been notably active in dialogue initiatives with armed groups in Nigeria’s northern region and has frequently criticized both Western and Middle Eastern political interventions.
The incident has sparked discussions among religious communities and the wider public, raising questions about the implications of political ideology on religious observance.
As of now, no official statements have been released by the Saudi embassy or Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the development.
