The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has dismissed an AI-generated image circulating online that depicted him as an alhaji.
The image, which showed the respected pastor in Islamic attire, sparked widespread reactions on social media after it went viral in December 2024.
Speaking during the first Holy Ghost Night of the year, held in the early hours of Saturday, January 4, Adeboye addressed the image with a touch of humour. “I’m sure many of you saw that picture showing me as an alhaji,” he said with a smile, drawing laughter from the congregation.
While he did not go into details about its origin, his tone and reaction left no doubt that he was distancing himself from the portrayal.
The controversial picture showed Adeboye in clothing typically associated with Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In Islamic culture, a man who completes the Hajj pilgrimage is called an alhaji, while a woman is referred to as an alhaja. The image confused some of his followers, given his long-standing role as a Christian leader.
Adeboye also used the moment to caution those who mock and spread falsehoods, warning that many mockers may not live to see the end of the year. However, he balanced his warning with a reminder that God’s desire is for sinners to repent, not perish.
In his message titled: The Glory Ahead, the cleric shifted focus to global issues, urging prayers for peace in light of escalating conflicts worldwide.
He cautioned that unchecked tensions could lead to another world war and prophesied an unprecedented earthquake in 2025.
Despite the challenges, Adeboye reassured his audience of a brighter future, stating that God’s purpose for humanity remains unchanged. He explained that God allows people to stay on earth to fulfill divine missions and not because heaven is out of reach.
