Renowned Islamic scholar based in Kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been expelled and prohibited from undertaking the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
The prohibition was imposed on him by Saudi Arabian officials.
The cleric verified the incident in a post published on his official Facebook page on Monday.
According to Gumi, despite being issued a visa to enter the Kingdom for Hajj, Saudi immigration authorities turned him away upon his arrival in Medina.
“For reasons connected to my opinions on global politics, the Saudi authorities prefer that I do not attend Hajj, even though they have issued me a visa,” Sheikh Gumi remarked.
He further expressed, “I appreciate the Nigerian officials who have committed to addressing this issue with the Saudi authorities.”
Investigations revealed that Sheikh Gumi was part of a group of scholars funded by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to provide religious guidance during the 2025 pilgrimage. He reportedly arrived in Medina on Saturday night via an Umza Air flight, accompanied by other clerics.
However, shortly after touching down around 10:30 p.m., Saudi immigration officials prevented him from entering the city. He was subsequently placed on a return flight to Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi, recognized for his candid opinions on politics and national security, has resumed his usual teaching engagements upon returning to Nigeria.