But fresh details have just emerged that completely change the story.
Gumi KNEW he was banned before he even boarded that plane.
Let me break down exactly what happened…
On Monday, the prominent Islamic cleric took to his official Facebook page with a post titled "My Hajj 2025!"
His claim?
That Saudi authorities turned him back at Medina airport despite holding a "valid visa."
Here's what he posted:
"For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa."
Sounds unfair, right?
Well, that's not the whole story.
What REALLY Happened (According to NAHCON Officials)
A NAHCON official who spoke to The Guardian on Tuesday dropped a bombshell:
Sheikh Gumi has been banned from entering Saudi Arabia for some time now.
He was fully aware of the restriction before he traveled.
The official explained it like this:
"He has since been banned from entry into the Kingdom. They normally will issue a visa, and then upon arrival, they will not allow you to leave immigration and will deport you."
Saudi Arabia uses a two-step process:
Step 1: Issue the visa (this doesn't guarantee entry)
Step 2: Make the final entry decision at immigration
It's like getting a ticket to a concert… only to find out you're on the "no entry" list at the door.
The Million-Dollar Question
So here's what everyone wants to know:
Did Gumi know about the ban before he traveled?
When pressed on this exact question, the NAHCON official's response was crystal clear:
"Yes, he is aware."
Pretty straightforward.
Gumi's Response: "It's Political!"
Instead of acknowledging his prior knowledge of the ban, Gumi took a different approach.
He suggested the Saudi move was politically motivated:
"Thanks to the Nigerian authorities, who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities.
That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy."
And then he added this interesting twist:
"I'm now free to attend to my health and farming activities."
(Interesting how quickly he pivoted from "unfair treatment" to "silver lining," don't you think?)
Here's what makes this story even more intriguing:
Gumi isn't the only person who got deported this year.
According to the NAHCON official:
"He is not the only person deported this year."
This suggests Saudi Arabia has ramped up their entry restrictions for the 2025 Hajj season.
If you're planning a Hajj trip, here's what you need to know:
Getting a visa does not guarantee entry.
Saudi authorities can (and will) turn you back at immigration if you're flagged in their system.
The lesson?
Do your homework before you travel.
Check if there are any restrictions on your entry.
Because showing up at the airport only to get sent home is nobody's idea of a good time.
Gumi ended his Facebook post with a Quranic verse (2:196) about being "prevented" from completing Hajj:
"And accomplish the Hajj, i.e, pilgrimage and the Umra for Allah, but if you are prevented, (slaughter) the offering available with you. (meaning, you are then free from Hajj or Umra)."
Pretty convenient scripture reference for someone who knew he might not make it past immigration…
And then he added this interesting twist:
"I'm now free to attend to my health and farming activities."
(Interesting how quickly he pivoted from "unfair treatment" to "silver lining," don't you think?)
Here's what makes this story even more intriguing:
Gumi isn't the only person who got deported this year.
According to the NAHCON official:
"He is not the only person deported this year."
This suggests Saudi Arabia has ramped up their entry restrictions for the 2025 Hajj season.
If you're planning a Hajj trip, here's what you need to know:
Getting a visa does not guarantee entry.
Saudi authorities can (and will) turn you back at immigration if you're flagged in their system.
The lesson?
Do your homework before you travel.
Check if there are any restrictions on your entry.
Because showing up at the airport only to get sent home is nobody's idea of a good time.
Gumi ended his Facebook post with a Quranic verse (2:196) about being "prevented" from completing Hajj:
"And accomplish the Hajj, i.e, pilgrimage and the Umra for Allah, but if you are prevented, (slaughter) the offering available with you. (meaning, you are then free from Hajj or Umra)."
Pretty convenient scripture reference for someone who knew he might not make it past immigration…
Bottom Line
Look, I'm not here to judge anyone's religious journey.
But here's what we know for sure:
Sheikh Gumi was banned from entering Saudi Arabia. He knew about this ban before traveling and still chose to make the trip.
When turned back, he framed it as political persecution.
You can draw your own conclusions about what really happened here.
You can draw your own conclusions about what really happened here.
What's Next?
According to Gumi, Nigerian authorities have promised to "take up the matter" with Saudi Arabia.
Will they succeed in getting his ban lifted?
That remains to be seen.
For now, Sheikh Gumi says he's focusing on his "health and farming activities."
And honestly?
Maybe that's not such a bad backup plan.
What do you think about this whole situation?
Did Gumi handle this the right way, or should he have been more upfront about knowing the ban existed?
Let me know in the comments below.
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