Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent cleric from Kaduna State, Nigeria, has been barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage by Saudi Arabia, despite having a valid visa. The decision has sparked widespread debate and speculation about the reasons behind it. In a social media post, Gumi stated that the Saudi authorities were “uncomfortable” with his presence in the Holy Land, likely due to his views on world politics.

Gumi’s public sermons, in which he criticized the Saudi leadership for deviating from its traditional religious governance model, may have played a role in the ban. He believes that Saudi Arabia’s modernization and alignment with global political norms undermine its strict Islamic identity. In an interview, Gumi reiterated his stance, emphasizing that he would continue to speak the truth about Saudi Arabia until the country reforms.

The cleric argued that Saudi Arabia is a “police state” with no freedom of expression, and that Nigerians, on the other hand, enjoy the right to speak freely. He also stated that he is not afraid of being banned from the country again, citing the example of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, who never performed Hajj but still rendered great service to Islam.

Gumi’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s alignment with Western powers and its role in the Palestine conflict has also been a point of contention. He emphasized that Muslims should not remain silent in the face of wrongdoing and that those who fund and arm oppression should not be honored. The ban has marked a new chapter in Nigeria-Saudi relations, particularly in northern Nigeria, where Saudi Arabia holds significant religious influence and soft power.

Thousands of Islamic scholars from northern Nigeria have studied in Saudi institutions on government scholarships, and many are expected to defend Saudi’s interests. However, Gumi’s case is notable as a cleric who spent years studying in the kingdom and is now openly at odds with its leadership. Efforts to get a response from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful, with the media officer not responding to messages regarding the incident.