A prolific queer figure in the Muslim community was killed February 15.
Muhsin Hendricks, a man dubbed the world’s first openly gay imam (a person that leads prayers in a mosque), was shot dead on Saturday morning. The fatality occurred in the coastal city of Gqeberha, South Africa, where the car that Hendricks was riding in had been ambushed.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement. While not confirmed by official sources, the incident took place directly after the imam had reportedly officiated at a lesbian wedding.
Hendricks had devoted his life to promoting gay rights and tolerance for LGBTQ+ Muslims. One of his greatest achievements toward this cause was his founding of the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in 2018. The nonprofit provides support services for Muslims discriminated against for their sexual orientation, as well as help for Muslims around the world to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation and gender identity. Hendricks also ran the mosque Masjidul Ghurbaah in Cape Town alongside his foundation, which confirmed his murder to the public.
Julia Ehrt, executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate “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.
During his lifetime, Hendricks had challenged traditional interpretations of Islam and championed a more compassionate, inclusive faith through his work. Despite South Africa being the first country in the world to protect people from sexual orientation discrimination, along with legalizing same-sex marriage in 2006, intolerance and prejudice are still rampant through the nation. Hendricks came out as a gay man in 1996 and was prepared to lead the effort for potential changes to come.
Reverend Jide Macaulay, an openly gay Anglican minister and queer activist out of Nigeria, described Hendricks’ death as “truly heartbreaking.”
“Your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to inclusive faith communities have left an indelible mark,” he said.