Exclusive: Why Saudi Arabia Banned Me from Hajj Sheikh Gumi Breaks Silence
In a bold confrontation that underscores the growing tension between religious freedom and political control, prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has accused the Saudi Arabian government of silencing dissent after he was barred from entering the country for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage despite holding a valid visa.
Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic scholar known for his outspoken views, revealed via social media on Monday that Saudi authorities turned him back, citing discomfort with his presence in the Holy Land.
“Even after issuing a visa, the Saudi authorities were uncomfortable with me being at the Hajj… Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who promised to engage them. That is the value of our freedom and democracy,” Gumi posted.
While his comments initially sparked speculation, an exclusive investigation by DAILY POST reveals the likely reason: Gumi’s long-standing criticism of Saudi Arabia’s religious transformation and its increasing political alignment with the West.
A Cleric in Conflict with the Kingdom
Gumi has been vocal about what he views as Saudi Arabia’s abandonment of its traditional Islamic identity, accusing the kingdom’s leadership of replacing religious authenticity with Western-style modernization and authoritarianism.
In an exclusive interview, Gumi did not hold back:
“Saudi Arabia is a police state with no freedom of expression. Here in Nigeria, we were raised with liberty and I value that deeply. Silence in the face of injustice contradicts Islamic principles. That is the root of our misunderstanding.”
Saudi Arabia’s shift under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has seen reforms in entertainment, gender policies, and governance moves hailed by global allies but criticized by conservative clerics like Gumi as a betrayal of Islamic values.
“Truth Has a Price”
When asked if he feared permanent exclusion from Hajj, Gumi was defiant.
“Even Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio never performed Hajj, yet he served Islam more than most ever could. I’m not afraid. We are correcting a mistake this is not rebellion, it is truth.”
He further argued that Saudi Arabia’s deepening ties with Western powers signal a spiritual decline. Drawing parallels with the betrayal of Arab leaders post-Ottoman Empire, Gumi warned:
“Any Muslim nation that aligns with the West is walking the path of self-destruction. Look at Palestine how can we be silent while others fund and arm the oppressors?”
A Diplomatic Flashpoint
Efforts by DAILY POST to get a statement from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful, as media officer Mohammed El-Sahabi did not respond to inquiries.
But the incident may mark a turning point in Nigeria-Saudi relations, especially in Northern Nigeria, where Saudi Arabia enjoys enormous religious influence. Thousands of northern scholars, many trained in Saudi institutions, typically support or remain silent about Saudi affairs. Gumi’s open defiance makes him an anomaly and a lightning rod.
“Not everyone in Saudi supports these changes. Even descendants of King Faisal once resisted Western interference. So why should we stay silent in Nigeria, where we have the freedom to speak?”
Gumi concluded with a warning:
“Those who attempt to block access to the Grand Mosque will not last. This is an error they must correct or we will continue to speak.”
Analysis: Beyond the Ban
This incident is more than a visa denial it’s a reflection of the widening ideological divide within the Muslim world. As Saudi Arabia continues to redefine its identity under the lens of global politics, clerics like Gumi represent a resistance movement rooted in religious orthodoxy and political independence.
For many observers, the question is no longer whether Gumi will go to Hajj again, but whether Saudi Arabia can continue to silence dissent without damaging its credibility as the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites.
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Exclusive: Why Saudi Arabia Banned Me from Hajj Sheikh Gumi Breaks Silence