Muhsin Hendricks, widely recognized as the world’s first openly gay imam, was shot and killed in South Africa at the age of 57.
The cleric, who led a mosque in Cape Town that served as a safe space for LGBTQ+ and marginalized Muslims, was ambushed on Saturday morning near the southern city of Gqeberha.
According to police, “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” as reported by the BBC.
Hendricks’ death has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from around the world.
Julia Ehrt, executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), called for a thorough investigation into “what we fear may be a hate crime.”
She described Hendricks as someone who “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.”
While reports suggest he was killed shortly after officiating a lesbian wedding, authorities have yet to confirm this.
Security footage of the attack, which surfaced on social media, shows a car blocking the vehicle Hendricks was in as it attempted to leave the curb. An assailant is seen exiting the car, running toward Hendricks’ vehicle, and firing repeatedly through the back passenger window, where police confirm he was seated.
His Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which operates the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town’s Wynberg suburb, confirmed his death, calling it a targeted attack. However, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, chair of the foundation’s board, urged followers via WhatsApp to remain patient and respect the privacy of Hendricks’ family.
Hendricks was known for challenging traditional interpretations of Islam and advocating for a more inclusive, compassionate faith.
Since coming out as gay in 1996, he became a trailblazer for queer Muslims, founding The Inner Circle to support individuals struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexuality. He later established Masjidul Ghurbaah as an inclusive space for worship.
Despite South Africa being the first country in the world to enshrine LGBTQ+ protections in its post-apartheid constitution and legalizing same-sex marriage in 2006, discrimination and violence against the community remain prevalent. The country also has one of the highest murder rates globally.
Hendricks’ activism left a lasting impact, as reflected in the 2022 documentary The Radical, where he addressed the threats he faced, stating, “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”
He was also a strong advocate for interfaith dialogue and frequently spoke about the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within religious spaces.
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