The world’s first openly gay imam, Muhsin Hendricks, was tragically shot and killed in South Africa after officiating a lesbian wedding, sparking outrage within the LGBTQ+ community.
Muhsin Hendricks, widely regarded as the world’s first openly gay imam, was tragically shot and killed in South Africa on Saturday.
The incident occurred near Gqeberha, a city in the southern part of the country, after Hendricks and another individual were ambushed by assailants while traveling in a vehicle. Reports confirm that Hendricks had just finished officiating a lesbian wedding before the fatal attack.
According to a police statement, the attackers blocked the vehicle in which Hendricks was traveling. “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” the statement read. After the shooting, the assailants fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, seated in the back of the car, had been fatally shot.
Hendricks was known for establishing a mosque that served as a haven for gay and other marginalized Muslims. His death has sparked outrage within the LGBTQ+ community, where he had been a vocal advocate for their rights. Hendricks came out as gay in 1996 and was featured in the 2022 documentary ‘The Radical’, which shed light on his groundbreaking role as a queer religious leader.
Despite facing numerous threats over the years as an openly gay imam, Hendricks had previously stated that his “need to be authentic” was greater than his fear of death. His tragic killing marks a significant loss for both the LGBTQ+ and Muslim communities, as he was a key figure in advocating for inclusivity and acceptance within faith-based spaces.
