‘Why Saudi Threw Me Out’ – Sheikh Gumi Breaks Silence on Hajj Ban

Prominent Kaduna-based cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has explained the reason why he was barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, following his expulsion from the holy land by the Saudi authorities.

Recall that in a move that has stirred intense debate across Nigeria and the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia barred the popular Nigerian scholar from taking active part in the yearly religious activities,  citing discomfort over his political views.

Gumi confirmed his return to Nigeria via social media earlier this week, stating that despite possessing a valid visa, Saudi authorities deemed his presence in the Holy Land unwelcome.

The cleric, well-known for his fiery sermons, claims the ban stems from his criticism of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation from rigid religious governance to modern political alignment with the West. In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Gumi accused Saudi Arabia of suppressing free speech and deviating from Islamic principles.

“Saudi Arabia is a police state where you have no freedom of expression. We, on the other hand, were raised in freedom here in Nigeria, and I value that more than anything. In Saudi Arabia, when a mistake is made, people are expected to remain silent. That contradicts Islamic principles, which do not condone silence in the face of wrongdoing. That is the root of our misunderstanding.”

When asked whether he feared being banned from the country again during Hajj, he responded:

“It’s not compulsory that I must go for Hajj. Even Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio never performed Hajj, yet look at the immense service he rendered to Islam. So no, I am not afraid of being banned.”

When asked whether the ban might be related to his recent sermons, Gumi replied: “Yes, that’s true. If you are going to stand for truth, you must be prepared to endure. Truth is not loved by everyone. While Saudi Arabia has done a lot to help many countries, it’s now on a path of self-destruction. Any Muslim nation that aligns itself with Western powers is bound to face ruin. This is exactly what happened when the Arab world followed the British in ousting the Ottomans—only for the British to betray them by giving Palestine to the Jews. Not everyone in Saudi Arabia supports what’s happening. Even descendants of King Faisal once resisted Western influence. So why should we, who enjoy freedom of speech in Nigeria, remain silent?

“How can you witness what’s happening in Palestine and stay silent? How can someone funding and arming this oppression be honored, while Muslims are disregarded? No—we will not stop speaking out unless they change. And if they don’t, we will continue to speak.”