South Africa’s First Openly Gay Muslim Imam Assassinated in Targeted Shooting
Muhsin Hendricks, widely recognized as the first openly gay Muslim imam, was fatally shot in what many believe to be an assassination due to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Islam.
The 55-year-old was ambushed while sitting in a car in Gqeberha, South Africa, on Saturday. Surveillance footage captured two masked assailants in a pickup truck pulling up beside Hendricks’ vehicle before one exited and fired multiple shots through the window. Hendricks’ driver survived the attack, but the imam was pronounced dead at the scene.
While authorities have yet to establish a clear motive, LGBTQ+ organizations and political groups suspect Hendricks was targeted for his controversial teachings. Hendricks founded a Cape Town mosque that welcomed gay Muslims and had long called for their acceptance within the faith—views that sparked outrage among conservative religious groups.
South Africa’s Justice Ministry has launched an investigation, with the Democratic Alliance, the country’s second-largest political party, stating, “The nature of the killing strongly suggests a professional hit.”
Hendricks had faced threats in the past. In a 2022 interview, he revealed that he had been the subject of multiple fatwas issued by South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council, which reaffirmed Islam’s prohibition of same-sex relationships. Despite this, he remained steadfast, stating in the documentary The Radical, “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”
His work with the Al-Ghurbaab Foundation provided a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ Muslims struggling to reconcile their faith and identity. “When I saw how queer Muslims were negotiating this dilemma, I felt compelled to do something about it,” Hendricks once said.
Following his death, the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa condemned the murder, despite long opposing his stance. “We unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community or any other community,” the council stated.
The Al-Ghurbaab Foundation paid tribute to its founder, writing on Facebook, “A great father and a guardian of many. Continue resting with angels.”
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