Muhsin Hendricks, recognized as the world's first openly gay imam, tragically lost his life in a shooting incident in South Africa over the weekend. Authorities are investigating the possibility of a hate crime.
Police reports indicate that Hendricks was attacked on Saturday morning while driving near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province. His vehicle was ambushed, and two masked assailants fired multiple shots.
Hendricks established The Inner Circle in 1996, providing a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ Muslims, shortly after publicly revealing his own sexual orientation. He had previously been married to a woman but divorced the same year he came out.
The Inner Circle describes itself as a prominent human rights organization focused on Islam, gender, and sexual diversity from an Islamic theological perspective, with international reach and support for similar organizations.
The Cape Town Ulama Board, a Sunni leadership organization, condemned the murder while distancing themselves from Hendricks' views. They emphasized Islam's condemnation of violence and urged communities to cooperate with the legal investigation.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) expressed concern that the killing might be a hate crime and offered condolences, highlighting Hendricks' significant contribution to supporting and mentoring individuals reconciling faith and sexuality.
In 2022, Hendricks had spoken out against a fatwa issued by the Muslim Judicial Council declaring homosexuality incompatible with Islam. He questioned the historical context of such pronouncements and their relevance to contemporary understandings of same-sex relationships.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details are awaited.
