Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was recently denied entry into Saudi Arabia, effectively barring him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

In a social media post on Monday, Gumi confirmed his return to Nigeria, stating that Saudi authorities were uneasy about his presence in the kingdom, despite having a valid visa.

“For some obvious reasons—my views on world politics—the Saudi authorities felt uncomfortable with me performing the Hajj. This happened even after they issued a visa,” he wrote. He commended the Nigerian government for swiftly offering to engage with Saudi officials, highlighting Nigeria’s democratic values and freedom of expression.

The development has stirred debate online, with many speculating about the motivations behind the Saudi ban. A DAILY POST investigation linked the decision to Gumi’s outspoken criticism of Saudi leadership in his sermons. He has previously condemned the kingdom for shifting away from its traditional Islamic governance in pursuit of modernization and Western alignment.

Speaking exclusively to DAILY POST on Friday, Gumi stood by his statements, vowing to continue speaking out against what he sees as misguided reforms in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that Nigerians enjoy freedoms denied to those under Saudi’s restrictive regime.

“Saudi Arabia is essentially a police state where free speech is not tolerated. In contrast, we in Nigeria were raised with freedom, and I deeply cherish that,” he said. “Islam does not condone silence in the face of wrongdoing. That’s the heart of our disagreement.”

Asked if he feared being permanently banned from Saudi Arabia, Gumi responded:
 

“Hajj is not mandatory for me. Even Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio never went on Hajj, yet he greatly served Islam. I am not afraid.”

He continued: “We are only trying to help them correct their errors. Anyone trying to prevent access to the Grand Mosque in Mecca won’t succeed.”

Gumi confirmed that his sermons likely played a role in the ban. “That’s true. If you’re going to speak the truth, you must be ready for opposition. Truth is rarely welcomed. Saudi Arabia has helped many nations, but it is now walking a destructive path by aligning with Western powers,” he said.

Citing historical betrayals such as the British handover of Palestine after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Gumi warned that Muslim nations following Western agendas risk ruin. He insisted that silence in the face of oppression, particularly in places like Palestine, is unacceptable.

“Those financing and arming oppression are being honored while Muslims are ignored. We cannot stay silent. Unless Saudi Arabia changes course, we will keep speaking out,” he declared.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful, as media officer Mohammed El-Sahabi did not respond to messages.

The incident could have implications for Nigeria-Saudi relations, especially in northern Nigeria, where Saudi Arabia holds significant religious sway. Many northern scholars have studied in Saudi institutions and are often seen as defenders of the kingdom’s policies, making Gumi’s open criticism a rare and notable stance.