By Abiola Olawale
Saudi Arabian authorities have reportedly deported Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic scholar from Kaduna, Nigeria.
It was also gathered that the Saudi Arabian authorities barred Gumi from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage despite initially granting him a visa.
Gumi confirmed the development in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, May 26, 2025.
He explained that although he received a visa for Hajj, he was denied entry into Medina, where he was scheduled to commence his religious rites.
“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,” Gumi stated on Facebook.
The New Diplomat reports that this comes as the Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense has long emphasized strict regulations for Hajj, including the risk of fines, imprisonment, or deportation for those who violate visa or permit rules.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has a history of cracking down on individuals perceived as threats to national security, especially during high-profile religious events like Hajj.
While full details of Gumi’s deportation remain sketchy, the Islamic scholar has been a polarizing figure in Nigeria for years.
Gumi gained national and international attention for his self-appointed role as a mediator in Nigeria’s escalating kidnap-for-ransom crisis, particularly in the northern regions.
Since at least 2021, he has been involved in negotiating with bandits responsible for abductions.
