Saudi Arabian officials have denied entry to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent cleric based in Kaduna, Nigeria, preventing him from performing the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, Sheikh Gumi revealed that his exclusion was due to his “political views,” which reportedly made the Saudi authorities uncomfortable despite initially granting him a Hajj visa.
“For reasons related to my views on world politics, the Saudi authorities have decided I cannot participate in this year’s Hajj,” he said.
Sheikh Gumi, known for his controversial stance advocating for bandits in Northern Nigeria, explained that he would fulfill his religious duty at home instead, referencing the Quranic verse 2:196, which allows pilgrims who are prevented from completing the Hajj to offer a sacrifice as a substitute.
He further disclosed that Nigerian officials have promised to engage with Saudi counterparts to resolve the issue, emphasizing, “That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.”
This development follows a history of tension between Sheikh Gumi and Saudi authorities. Over ten years ago, he was detained in Saudi Arabia for more than six months due to alleged connections with Faurouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called “Underwear Bomber.”
Despite ongoing violence in Northern Nigeria, where armed banditry has led to numerous deaths and kidnappings, Sheikh Gumi has remained a vocal advocate for amnesty and dialogue with the militants.
Leave a Reply