Lagos, Nigeria – The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has dismissed a viral AI-generated image depicting him in Islamic attire as an alhaji.
The image, which circulated widely on social media in December 2024, sparked mixed reactions, with many expressing confusion due to Pastor Adeboye’s prominent role as a Christian leader.
Addressing the matter during the first Holy Ghost Night of the year on Saturday, January 4, 2025, Adeboye reacted with humour. “I’m sure many of you saw that picture showing me as an alhaji,” he said with a smile, eliciting laughter from the congregation. While he did not delve into the origin of the image, his tone made it clear that he distanced himself from the portrayal.
The image in question depicted Adeboye wearing clothing typically associated with the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In Islamic tradition, a man who completes the pilgrimage is called an alhaji, while a woman is referred to as an alhaja.
Adeboye also used the opportunity to caution against spreading falsehoods and mockery. He warned that those who mock others may not live to see the year’s end but added a note of compassion, reminding his audience that God desires repentance, not destruction, for sinners.
In his sermon titled The Glory Ahead, Adeboye shifted focus to global issues, urging prayers for peace amidst escalating conflicts worldwide. He cautioned that unchecked tensions could lead to a world war and prophesied an unprecedented earthquake in 2025.
Despite these warnings, Adeboye reassured his audience of hope and divine purpose. “God’s plan for humanity remains unchanged,” he said, explaining that people are kept on earth to fulfill divine missions, not because heaven is inaccessible.
The cleric’s address set the tone for the year, combining humour, spiritual insight, and calls for global reflection and repentance.
