Muhsin Hendricks, widely known as the world’s first openly Gay Imam, has been shot dead in South Africa. He used to run a mosque in Cape Town to give safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims, part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The South African authorities have confirmed the news of his death.
He was fatally shot on Saturday morning. His car was ambushed when he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha.
In an official statement, the Police said, “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle.”
The development has triggered panic within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond, as they continue to live under the threat to their lives from the Islamist groups. Many hardline Muslim groups have vehemently opposed non-hetrosexual relationships. They stress that as per Islamic theology, non-hetrosexual relations are Haram, condemnable sins that deserve severe punishment, including the death penalty.
Executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Julia Ehrt has urged the South African authorities to thoroughly investigate what they fear may be a “hate crime”.
She said, “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.”
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As per reports, Hendricks was fatally shot after he officiated a lesbian wedding, however, it is yet to be confirmed by officials.
The graphic details of the attack, captured in security footage, is now being circulated on social media platforms.
BREAKING:
A video has been released of yesterday’s Islamist terror attack in South Africa in which killed the world’s first openly gay imam.
Muhsin Hendricks ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay & marginalised Muslims.
He was murdered in an ambush. pic.twitter.com/obZvM4BzGi
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 16, 2025
In the footage, a masked assailant can be seen blocking Hendricks’ vehicle and then firing multiple shots at the back passenger window. According to police, the imam was sitting in the back seat.
Hendricks’ Al-Ghurbaah Foundation runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in the Wynberg suburb of Cape Town. It has confirmed that Muhsin died in a targeted attack on Saturday morning.
Chairperson of the foundation’s board Abdulmugheeth Petersen urged their followers to be patient and stressed the importance of protecting Hendricks’ family.
The late gay imam challenged traditional interpretations of Islam and advocated for a compassionate, inclusive faith.
Post apartheid, the South African constitution was the first to protect people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation. In 2006, it became the first country in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage. But as per reports, the country has one of the highest murder rates in the world.
In 1996, Hendricks came out as gay, shocking the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and across the world.
Same year, he founded The Inner Circle, an organisation that provides support and a safe space for queer Muslims. Later, he established the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque.
A documentary was made on him in 2022. It was called The Radical, in which he talked about the threats he faced over the years, saying, “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”
Last year, the Muslim cleric told the Ilga World Conference in Cape Town, “It is important that we stop to look at religion as the enemy.”
An openly gay Anglican minister Reverend Jide Macaulay described Hendricks’ death as “truly heartbreaking”.
Speaking with BBC, a gay Muslim man living in Nigeria Sadiq Lawal said that Hendricks had made such an impact as he had made “the impossible possible” by saying the words: “I’m a queer imam.”
He added, “He’s a mentor to many queer Muslims in Africa, especially in Nigeria, because of religious extremism. I’m still in shock and devastated.”
