IMAM Muhsin Hendricks, recognised as the world’s first openly gay Muslim cleric, was shot dead in South Africa on Saturday in what many fear was a targeted attack. The 57-year-old, who led an inclusive mosque in Cape Town, was ambushed while travelling near Gqeberha, police confirmed to the BBC.
Targeted attack captured on CCTV
According to a police statement, two masked gunmen blocked Hendricks’ vehicle before opening fire multiple times. CCTV footage circulating online shows one assailant running toward the car and firing directly into the back passenger seat, where Hendricks was sitting.
While authorities have not confirmed a motive, the killing has raised concerns over whether it was a hate crime. Hendricks’ Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque, confirmed his death but urged restraint, calling for his family’s privacy to be respected.
Tributes and calls for justice
Hendricks’ passing has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ and interfaith communities worldwide. Julia Ehrt, executive director of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), urged a full investigation, expressing fears that his death was an act of targeted violence.
‘He supported and mentored many people in reconciling their faith with their identity,’ Ehrt said, emphasising his role in fostering acceptance within religious communities.
Reverend Jide Macaulay, a British-Nigerian LGBTQ+ activist and Anglican minister, called Hendricks’ death ‘heartbreaking,’ praising his courage and leadership. Nigerian activist Sadiq Lawal echoed the sentiment, calling him a beacon of hope for queer Muslims across Africa.
A legacy of advocacy and inclusion
Hendricks, who came out as gay in 1996, faced significant backlash from conservative religious groups. He founded The Inner Circle, a support organisation for queer Muslims, before establishing Masjidul Ghurbaah, one of the world’s first LGBTQ+-inclusive mosques.
Despite legal protections for LGBTQ+ rights in South Africa, violence and discrimination persist. Hendricks often spoke of the need for interfaith dialogue and mental health support for marginalised communities. In a 2022 documentary, The Radical, he reflected on the risks he faced: ‘The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.’
His killing highlights the ongoing dangers faced by LGBTQ+ activists worldwide, prompting renewed calls for justice and protection.
