Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, has been killed in South Africa. The 57-year-old cleric, who was a beacon of hope for marginalized Muslims, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, was shot dead on the morning of February 15, 2025, while traveling near Gqeberha, a city located in the southern part of the country.
Hendricks was ambushed shortly after officiating a lesbian wedding, an event that underscored his commitment to inclusivity and acceptance within the Muslim faith. Security footage that has surfaced on social media reveals a harrowing account of the attack; it shows a vehicle deliberately blocking Hendricks’ car as it attempted to leave the curb. Eyewitness accounts and police reports indicate that two masked assailants emerged from the blocking vehicle and opened fire on Hendricks’ car, striking him multiple times through the rear passenger window.
The police confirmed the details of the attack, stating, “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle.” The incident has sparked a profound sense of grief and outrage, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, where Hendricks was celebrated for his groundbreaking role and advocacy.
Hendricks gained prominence in 1996 when he publicly came out as gay, a declaration that sent shockwaves through the Muslim community in Cape Town and beyond. That same year, he founded The Inner Circle, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBT+ Muslims, providing a safe space for those who often faced discrimination and exclusion.
