Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia after being denied entry into Medina, effectively barring him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Newsonspot gathered that Gumi, who is based in Kaduna, travelled to Saudi Arabia last Saturday night aboard an Umza Air flight.
He was among a group of clerics sent by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to offer religious services to pilgrims.
Upon his arrival around 10:30 pm, Saudi immigration officers stopped him at the airport and did not allow him to go past immigration.
He was then deported to Nigeria.
He later shared the experience on his verified Facebook page on Monday.
In the post, Gumi said the decision to send him back was connected to his views on global politics, even though he was granted a visa before traveling.
He also mentioned that Nigerian authorities have promised to speak with Saudi officials to find a solution.
“For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa.
“Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledge to takeup the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.
“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities”, We should continue to pray for the safe return of all pilgrims, peace, and prosperity for our dear nation.”
He quoted Qur’an 2:196 to reflect on his situation.
“And accomplish the Hajj, i.e, pilgrimage and the Umra for Allah, but if you are prevented, (slaughter) the offering available with you. (meaning, you are then free from Hajj or Umra).” he wrote.
Fresh details about a restriction on Gumi have, however, emerged. Gumi was aware of an entry restriction imposed on him by Saudi Arabian authorities before he embarked on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
According to an official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who asked not to be named, Gumi had been banned from entering Saudi Arabia and was fully aware of the restriction placed on him before he embarked on the journey.
“He has since been banned from entry into the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia). They normally will issue a visa, and then upon arrival, they will not allow you to leave immigration and will deport you. He is not the only person deported this year,” the NAHCON official said.
When asked further if Gumi was aware of the entry restriction placed on him by Saudi authorities, the official responded saying, “Yes, he is aware.”
Gumi had previously described the incident as a politically motivated move by Saudi authorities, attributing it to his outspoken views on global affairs.
This is not the first time Gumi has had trouble with Saudi authorities.
In 2010, he was arrested and kept under house arrest for more than six months over suspected links with Nigerian terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was behind a failed plane bombing attempt on Christmas Day 2009.
Reports at the time claimed that the United States found email messages between Gumi and Abdulmutallab shortly before the attack.
Gumi was first held in Jeddah, later moved to Mecca, and eventually released after Nigeria’s intervention.
