Muhsin Hendricks, widely acknowledged as the first openly gay imam globally, was tragically shot on Saturday near Gqeberha, South Africa, as reported by police.
Authorities shared that Hendricks, who directed a mosque aimed at providing a safe environment for LGBTQ and other marginalized Muslims, was inside a vehicle with another individual when an unknown car arrived, obstructing their way out. “Two unidentified suspects with covered faces exited the vehicle and began firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” remarked the Eastern Cape police.
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Hendricks, a proponent for LGBTQ rights, publicly declared his sexual orientation in 1996. He was the founder of the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Wynberg, near his birthplace of Cape Town. His efforts and activism were featured in the 2022 documentary The Radical. Previously, Hendricks had mentioned experiencing threats directed at him.
