Fresh reports have suggested that Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the prominent Islamic cleric, was already aware of the travel restriction placed on him by Saudi Arabian authorities prior to his attempt to participate in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Although the cleric had claimed in a public statement on his official Facebook page titled “My Hajj 2025!” that he was turned back at Medina airport on Saturday despite holding a valid visa, a source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who chose to remain anonymous, informed *The Guardian* on Tuesday that Gumi had long been banned from entering the Kingdom and was fully conscious of the restriction.
The official further clarified that possession of a visa issued by Saudi authorities did not necessarily grant entry into the Kingdom, especially in cases where an individual had been flagged by immigration or security systems.
Further talking, he said, “He has since been banned from entry into the Kingdom. They normally will issue a visa, and then upon arrival, they won’t allow you to leave immigration and will deport you. He isn’t the only person deported this year.”
When pressed further if Gumi was aware of the entry restriction placed on him, the official responded that, “Yes, he was aware.
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