Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, a development that has sparked widespread debate within religious and diplomatic circles in Nigeria.
Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic scholar known for his outspoken commentary on Nigerian governance, security challenges, and politics, revealed on Monday that although he had secured a visa from the Saudi authorities to participate in this year’s Hajj, he was denied entry into the holy city of Medina, the starting point of his religious journey.
In a statement shared via his verified Facebook page, Gumi said, “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.”
He further stated that the Nigerian authorities had pledged to engage their Saudi counterparts regarding the incident. “I am grateful to the authorities in Nigeria who have pledged to engage with the Saudi authorities on this matter,” he added, though without specifying which Nigerian officials had made the pledge.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that Gumi was part of a delegation of religious scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to offer religious support and guidance to Nigerian pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His inclusion was part of efforts to ensure the spiritual wellbeing of over 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj.
NAHCON has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but insiders confirmed that the Commission is seeking diplomatic engagement through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh.
Though Saudi officials have not publicly cited a specific reason for the deportation, analysts believe the move could be tied to Gumi’s controversial political rhetoric, including his frequent criticism of the Nigerian government’s security approach and his past engagements with armed bandits in the North-West region.
Gumi has on several occasions called for amnesty and negotiations with bandits, drawing public backlash and scrutiny from Nigerian security agencies. His views may have attracted the attention of Saudi intelligence, given the Kingdom’s firm stance against religious and political dissent during Hajj—a period meant strictly for spiritual devotion.
The deportation has generated mixed reactions on social media and among the Muslim faithful in Nigeria. While some Nigerians see the action as a targeted diplomatic slight against a prominent Islamic figure, others argue that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to bar any individual deemed a potential source of political tension during the pilgrimage.
Religious rights activist, Imam Yusuf Lawal, expressed concern over the development, warning that it could strain Nigeria-Saudi religious relations if not properly addressed. “Every Muslim has a right to perform Hajj once they meet the conditions. If Sheikh Gumi was not involved in any form of incitement, his deportation is troubling,” Lawal said in an interview.
The incident underscores growing international scrutiny over religious leaders’ political activities, particularly during sensitive global events like Hajj. For Nigeria, it also highlights the need for better diplomatic engagement and clearer protocols for selecting Hajj officials and religious delegates.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Gumi has returned to Nigeria and is expected to address the media further in the coming days. It remains unclear whether he will seek redress or file any formal protest through legal or diplomatic channels.