3 days ago
7
Muhsin Hendricks
, the world's first openly
gay imam
, was shot dead on Saturday while he was travelling in a car with another person in
South Africa
.
According to the police, the unknown suspect with the face covered came out of a vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the car imam was sitting. Later driver noticed that Hendricks was shot and killed, ADP reported.
In a video, which is being circulated on social media platform, the imam's car was blocked by another vehicle. While Hendrick's car was trying to turn back after blockage, a man came out of the vehicle with face covered and started firing multiple shots. After firing, the attacker left the crime scene with the vehicle.
Reports suggest Hendricks was killed after conducting a lesbian wedding ceremony, though this remains unconfirmed, BBC reported.
Who was Muhsin Hendricks
The 57-year-old religious leader operated a Cape Town mosque that served as a refuge for gay and other marginalised Muslims.
South Africa pioneered constitutional protection against sexual orientation discrimination and legalised same-sex marriage in 2006, becoming Africa's first nation to do so.
Despite an active LGBT community, discrimination and violence persist, alongside one of the world's highest murder rates.
Hendricks revealed his sexuality in 1996, causing significant upheaval in Cape Town's Muslim community. That year, he established The Inner Circle to support queer Muslims before founding the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque, as per BBC.
A 2022 documentary titled The Radical featured him stating about received threats: "The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die."
He consistently promoted interfaith dialogue and addressed mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in religious settings.
At last year's Ilga World Conference in Cape Town, he stated: "It is important that we stop to look at religion as the enemy."
'Shock and devastated'
Julia Ehrt, who leads the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into "what we fear may be a
hate crime
".
"He supported and mentored so many people in South Africa and around the world in their journey to reconcile with their faith, and his life has been a testament to the healing that solidarity across communities can bring in everyone's lives," she said.
Reverend Jide Macaulay, an openly gay Anglican minister, expressed deep sorrow at Hendricks' death.
The British-Nigerian activist, who runs House of Rainbow supporting gay people in Nigeria where same-sex relationships are illegal, praised Hendricks' courage.
"Your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to inclusive faith communities have left an indelible mark," he said.
Sadiq Lawal, a gay Muslim in Nigeria, told the BBC that Hendricks achieved the seemingly impossible by declaring: "I'm a queer imam."
"He's a mentor to many queer Muslims in Africa, especially in Nigeria, because of religious extremism," he said.
"I'm still in shock and devastated."
