The Saudi Arabian authorities have barred prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from completing the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement shared via his official Facebook page on Monday, Gumi revealed that despite being granted a visa, the Saudi authorities expressed discomfort with his presence during the pilgrimage.
“Alhamdullilahi I’ve already completed my Hajj 2025 and I’m at home in our beloved country Nigeria. Allah said in Q2/196: ‘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),’” Gumi stated.
He attributed the Saudi decision to his outspoken views on global political issues, noting that the Nigerian government has promised to engage with Saudi authorities over the matter.
“For some obvious reasons, my views about world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in the Hajj after giving me the Hajj visa. Thanks to the Nigerian authorities, who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with the Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy,” he said.
The cleric expressed gratitude for his safe return and said he would now focus on his health and agricultural activities.
“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities. We should continue to pray for the safe return of all pilgrims, peace and prosperity for our dear nation,” Gumi added.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
