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Muhsin Hendricks, the trailblazing openly gay imam, was shot and killed in South Africa.
The murder of the internationally acknowledged gay imam underscores persistent problems of violence faced by the LGBTQ community in South Africa.
Muhsin Hendricks, acknowledged as the first openly gay imam in the world, was fatally shot on Saturday near Gqeberha, South Africa, as reported by local police.
Hendricks was inside a vehicle with another person when their car was blocked by another vehicle, resulting in the attack.
According to the Eastern Cape police, two unidentified assailants emerged from the blocking vehicle and fired several shots into Hendricks's car.
Authorities mentioned that the attackers then fled the location.
The police confirmed that Hendricks, who was in the back seat of the vehicle, was declared dead at the scene.
A police representative validated the legitimacy of a video circulating on social media that appeared to show the targeted assault in Bethelsdorp, a suburb of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.
The details surrounding the murder remain unclear, and police are actively investigating, appealing for witnesses to step forward.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) denounced the murder.
Executive Director Julia Ehrt expressed the organization's shock and called on South African authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation, highlighting concerns that it may be a hate crime.
Hendricks was a key figure in LGBTQ advocacy, having publicly come out as gay in 1996. He established the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Wynberg, near Cape Town, to foster a safe space for queer Muslims and marginalized women to observe their faith.
His life and contributions were highlighted in the 2022 documentary “The Radical,” where he openly discussed facing threats due to his sexuality and beliefs.
Despite these dangers, Hendricks had previously stated that his dedication to living authentically was greater than his fears.
South Africa is known for having one of the highest murder rates globally.
Official police statistics indicated around 28,000 murders in the year ending February 2024. This alarming context underscores the risks faced by LGBTQ individuals in the country, where hate crimes against this community have been a longstanding issue.
Hendricks was inside a vehicle with another person when their car was blocked by another vehicle, resulting in the attack.
According to the Eastern Cape police, two unidentified assailants emerged from the blocking vehicle and fired several shots into Hendricks's car.
Authorities mentioned that the attackers then fled the location.
The police confirmed that Hendricks, who was in the back seat of the vehicle, was declared dead at the scene.
A police representative validated the legitimacy of a video circulating on social media that appeared to show the targeted assault in Bethelsdorp, a suburb of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.
The details surrounding the murder remain unclear, and police are actively investigating, appealing for witnesses to step forward.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) denounced the murder.
Executive Director Julia Ehrt expressed the organization's shock and called on South African authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation, highlighting concerns that it may be a hate crime.
Hendricks was a key figure in LGBTQ advocacy, having publicly come out as gay in 1996. He established the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Wynberg, near Cape Town, to foster a safe space for queer Muslims and marginalized women to observe their faith.
His life and contributions were highlighted in the 2022 documentary “The Radical,” where he openly discussed facing threats due to his sexuality and beliefs.
Despite these dangers, Hendricks had previously stated that his dedication to living authentically was greater than his fears.
South Africa is known for having one of the highest murder rates globally.
Official police statistics indicated around 28,000 murders in the year ending February 2024. This alarming context underscores the risks faced by LGBTQ individuals in the country, where hate crimes against this community have been a longstanding issue.
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