Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has revealed that his recent ban from Saudi Arabia stems from his criticism of the kingdom's leadership for abandoning traditional religious governance in favor of modernization.

Earlier this week, Gumi was barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage despite holding a valid visa. In a social media post on Monday, he confirmed his return to Nigeria, stating that "Saudi authorities are uncomfortable with me being at the Hajj."

In an exclusive interview with BenriNews, Sheikh Gumi attributed the ban to his public criticism of Saudi Arabia's shift away from strict Islamic governance. "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," Gumi stated.

No Regrets Over Speaking Out

When asked if he feared being banned again, the cleric remained defiant: "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."

Gumi confirmed that his recent sermons criticizing Saudi policies were likely behind the ban. "If you are going to stand for truth, you must be prepared to endure. Truth is not loved by everyone," he said.

The cleric particularly criticized Saudi Arabia's alignment with Western powers, warning that "any Muslim nation that aligns itself with Western powers is bound to face ruin." He drew parallels to historical events when "the Arab world followed the British in ousting the Ottomans—only for the British to betray them by giving Palestine to the Jews."

Continued Criticism Despite Consequences

Gumi vowed to continue speaking out against what he perceives as Saudi Arabia's deviation from Islamic principles. "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?" he questioned.

"We will not stop speaking out unless they change. And if they don't, we will continue to speak," the cleric affirmed.

BenriNews' attempts to get a response from the Saudi embassy in Nigeria were unsuccessful, as the embassy's media officer did not respond to inquiries regarding the incident.

This development marks an unusual rift in Nigeria-Saudi relations, particularly in northern Nigeria where Saudi Arabia maintains significant religious influence. Thousands of Islamic scholars from northern Nigeria have studied in Saudi institutions on government scholarships, making Gumi's public criticism of the kingdom a rare occurrence among clerics with Saudi educational backgrounds.