Cape Town [South Africa]: Muhsin Hendricks, widely recognized as the world’s first openly gay Imam, was shot and killed in South Africa on Saturday, according to local police reports cited by CNN.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Police confirmed they were investigating the 58-year-old scholar’s death in Bethelsdorp, though the motive behind the killing remains unclear.
According to the police statement, Hendricks was inside a gold-colored VW T-Roc along with a driver at Haley Place, Extension 24, Bethelsdorp when a silver-colored Hilux double cab stopped in front of them, blocking their exit.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle. Thereafter, they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle, was shot and killed,” the police statement said.
Global LGBTQ+ and Muslim Communities React
Hendricks gained international recognition in 1996 when he became the first Imam to publicly come out as gay, a landmark moment in both LGBTQ+ and Islamic discourse.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World) issued a statement expressing shock over his assassination.
“ILGA World is shocked to learn about the assassination of Muhsin Hendricks, a South African Islamic scholar who has often been described as the world’s first openly gay Imam,” the organization said.
South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development also expressed sadness over his death, pledging to ensure justice if the killing is determined to be a hate crime.
Legacy of Muhsin Hendricks
Hendricks was the founder and executive director of the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Cape Town, a human rights organization that provides psycho-spiritual and psycho-social support to queer Muslims, helping them reconcile their faith with their sexual and gender identities.
The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) also condemned the murder, despite theological disagreements with Hendricks’ views.
“It has been alleged that the killing may have been motivated by hatred towards Muhsin Hendricks due to his views on same-sex relationships. While the MJC has consistently maintained that Muhsin’s position is incompatible with Islamic teachings, we unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community,” the MJC stated.
Hendricks’ work was the subject of “The Radical,” a 2022 documentary that followed his journey in establishing a mosque for LGBTQ+ Muslims in Cape Town, despite facing death threats.
Police investigations into the murder are ongoing.