Saudi authorities have barred and deported prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, despite initially granting him a visa.
Sheikh Gumi confirmed the development on Monday, May 26, 2025, by posting on his official Facebook page.
According to Gumi, although the Saudi government granted him a visa to enter the country for Hajj, he was not allowed to enter Medina to begin his religious duties.
“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.
“I am grateful to the authorities in Nigeria who have pledged to engage with the Saudi authorities on this matter.”
According to findings, Gumi was among a group of clerics sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission to offer religious support during the pilgrimage.
