The murder of a South African imam, Muhsin Hendricks, has been widely condemned, with many suspecting his murder to be a hate crime. Hendricks, who has been dubbed the world’s first openly gay imam, was gunned down in Gqeberha on Saturday.
According to reports, Hendricks was seated in a vehicle in Haley Place when another vehicle approached and blocked him from driving off. Two masked assailants emerged from the vehicle and fired several shots at Hendrick’s vehicle before fleeing.
Hendricks is believed to have been in Gqeberha to officiate a wedding of a same-sex couple.
Eastern Cape police says the motive for the murder is unknown, and establishing it forms part of their investigations.
Reaction
Family of Hendricks told Netwerk24 that his murder does not come as a surprise as he was regularly threatened for being “gay and muslim”.
The killing also sent shockwaves through human rights and LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, many of whom fear the attack was a targeted hate crime.
“The ILGA World family is in deep shock at the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks and calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime,” said Julia Ehrt, executive director of International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World).
The 58-year-old from Wynberg, Cape Town, was an activist for the LGBTQIA+ community, having worked on the National Intervention Strategy on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics in South Africa as well as with ILGA World on the global stage. He also founded The Inner Circle, an organisation supporting queer Muslims, and lead the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation – which offers “psycho-spiritual and social support to Muslims who are marginalized”.
In a statement, ILGA World shared that Hendricks was the first imam in the world to come out as gay in 1996.
“Our movement has lost a peacemaker, a bridge builder and someone who set an example that reconciliation is possible through his courage and faith.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has pledged to ensure justice is served for Hendricks murder.
“The Department calls for continued efforts in upholding our Constitutional values and ensuring a society where no one is unfairly discriminated directly or indirectly… The Department calls for continued efforts in upholding our Constitutional values and ensuring a society where no one is unfairly discriminated directly or indirectly.”
The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) has called on police to ensure that the investigation be conducted in a “thorough and impartial” manner, and that all implicated parties be brought to book. In a statement on the incident, the Council acknowledged that Hendricks’ views did not align with Islamic doctrines, but noted that any act of violence targeting any community was to be condemned.
“As members of a democratic, pluralistic society, the MJC remains steadfast in advocating for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, even amidst divergent views.”
The Claremont Main Road Mosque has also condemned Hendricks’ murder.
Many others are also mourning his passing.
Rest In Peace Muhsin Hendricks. You did not deserve to be shot like an animal. No Human Being does
Muhsin was assassinated in Gqeberha yesterday. May Justice Prevail
pic.twitter.com/iyD2p8Aowf
— Marc Lottering (@marclottering) February 16, 2025
SOUTH AFRICA: FIRST OPENLY GAY IMAM SHOT DEAD IN TARGETED ATTACK
Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world’s first openly gay imam, was gunned down near Gqeberha, South Africa.
Hendricks, who led a mosque for LGBTQ+ Muslims, was ambushed while in a car when two masked gunmen… pic.twitter.com/UYooGWyD89
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 16, 2025
