Saudi Arabia Bans Sheikh Gumi from 2025 Hajj Over His Criticisms

In a message posted on social media earlier this week, Gumi said he had returned to Nigeria and explained that Saudi officials were not comfortable with his presence during Hajj. He believes it’s because of his public opinions on politics and religion.

“Even with a visa, they didn’t want me there. I thank the Nigerian government for stepping in. This shows how much we value freedom of speech in our country,” he wrote.

Many people have since shared different views online, asking why Saudi Arabia took such action. A deeper look into the situation by Daily Post suggests it may be connected to Gumi’s past sermons. In those sermons, he openly criticized the Saudi government’s push for modernization, saying it goes against their religious roots.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Post, Gumi doubled down on his position. He said he will not stop speaking out until the Saudi leadership returns to what he calls the “true path” of Islam.

“Saudi Arabia is like a police state. People there cannot speak freely. In Nigeria, we have the freedom to express ourselves, and I’m grateful for that. Islam teaches us to speak up when something is wrong—not to stay quiet,” he said.

When asked if he was worried about not being allowed into Saudi Arabia again, Gumi replied, “Hajj is not compulsory for everyone. Even Usman Dan Fodio never went on Hajj, but he still served Islam greatly.”

He added that his intention is not to attack Saudi Arabia, but to correct what he sees as their mistakes. “They should welcome advice, not shut people out. Preventing Muslims from visiting Mecca is wrong. That kind of power never lasts forever,” he warned.

Gumi admitted that his criticism likely led to the ban. “If you speak the truth, you must be ready to face challenges. Saudi Arabia has done good in many ways, but aligning too closely with Western politics is dangerous. History has shown that such moves often lead to regret.”

He also pointed to the current suffering in Palestine and criticized those who support the oppression of Muslims while turning a blind eye to their pain. “We can’t stay silent. We will keep speaking out until things change,” he said.

Attempts by Daily Post to get comments from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful. Messages sent to their media officer, Mohammed El-Sahabi, went unanswered.

This situation could affect relations between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, especially in the north where many Islamic scholars have deep ties with Saudi institutions. It’s rare for a Nigerian scholar trained in Saudi Arabia to openly challenge the kingdom’s policies—making Sheikh Gumi’s case especially unusual.