World’s First Openly Gay Muslim Imam, Muhsin Hendricks, Shot Dead In South Africa In An Alleged Hate Crime

Muhsin Hendricks, the first openly gay Muslim imam, was shot dead in South Africa in what is suspected to be a hate crime. Hendricks was ambushed on Feb. 15 in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth. A driver accompanying him survived the attack.

The Eastern Cape provincial police said in a statement that, at approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Muslim imam “and a driver [were] inside a gold-colored VW TRoc in Haley Place, Extension 24, Bethelsdorp when a silver-colored Hilux double cab stopped in front and blocked them from driving off.”

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” the statement noted. “Thereafter, they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle, was shot and killed.”

A video captured by a security camera that seemed to show the shooting incident was shared widely on social media. 

The security footage also shows a masked assailant jumping from a pickup truck and firing various shots through the car window where Hendricks was sitting. Police said they could not confirm the video since an investigation was underway.

Hendricks was “the world’s first imam in the world to come out as gay” in 1996, according to a statement from the advocacy group the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World) on Saturday.

“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,” Julia Ehrt, the executive director at ILGA World, said in the statement.

The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) deplored the “shocking killing” in a statement shared on Feb. 16.

“It has been alleged that the killing may have been motivated by hatred towards Muhsin Hendricks due to his views on same-sex relationships,” the MJC noted. “While the MJC has consistently maintained that Muhsin’s position is incompatible with Islamic teachings, we unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community.”

The Eastern Cape provincial police said in their statement that it was investigating Hendricks’ death, stating that the motive behind the killing was vague.

People have speculated the killing of the Muslim imam was a politically motivated assassination.

Although the motive for the killing is still under investigation, political parties and LGBTQ advocacy groups allege that Hendricks was targeted for his progressive religious views.

He founded an inclusive mosque in Cape Town, particularly welcoming LGBTQ Muslims, challenging traditional Islamic teachings on homosexuality.

South Africa’s Justice Ministry announced it is investigating the possibility of an assassination.