Tragic Loss: Remembering Muhsin Hendricks, the First Openly Gay Imam, Shot Dead in South Africa

Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world’s first openly gay imam, was tragically killed near Gqeberha, South Africa. He was in a car with another person when two masked assailants blocked their vehicle and opened fire.

Police reported that after the shooting, the attackers fled the scene. The person in the car noticed that Hendricks, who was sitting in the back, had been fatally shot.

Authorities confirmed that a video circulating on social media appears to show the incident. They are investigating the motive behind this murder, which remains unclear. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) expressed their shock and called for a thorough investigation, fearing this might be a hate crime.

Hendricks was a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ advocacy. He came out as gay in 1996 and began hosting gatherings for LGBTQ+ Muslims in his hometown shortly after. “I opened my garage, put a carpet down and invited people to have tea and talk,” he shared in a 2022 interview.

In 2011, he established a mosque to create a welcoming space for the community, especially after witnessing a sermon that condemned homosexuality. This led to the creation of the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Wynberg, near Cape Town. The mosque aimed to provide a safe space for queer Muslims and marginalized women to practice Islam freely.

Hendricks was featured in a 2022 documentary titled “The Radical,” where he discussed the challenges he faced as an openly gay imam. Despite receiving threats, he remained committed to his mission, emphasizing that being true to oneself was more important than fear.

He had a diverse background, having worked as an Arabic teacher and fashion designer. His journey was not easy; he was born into a Muslim family, married, had children, and only later came out to his family, after his father’s passing.

South Africa faces significant challenges with violence, including a high murder rate, highlighting the ongoing threats to marginalized communities. Hendricks’s death is a stark reminder of the risks faced by those advocating for acceptance and equality.

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