Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneering and brave determine inside each the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities, has tragically misplaced his life on the age of 57. Often called the world’s first overtly homosexual imam, Hendricks was gunned down in South Africa on Saturday morning, in an assault that has despatched shockwaves by way of communities around the globe. His loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated intolerance and hate confronted by LGBTQ+ people, even in nations the place progress has been made.
Hendricks, who had lengthy been an emblem of hope and inclusion for marginalised Muslims, was travelling close to the southern metropolis of Gqeberha when the automobile he was in was ambushed by two assailants. In accordance with police stories, “Two unknown suspects with coated faces acquired out of the automobile and began firing a number of pictures on the automobile”. The assault, which was captured on CCTV, seems to have been a focused assassination, highlighting the hazards Hendricks confronted in his life as he stood for an inclusive interpretation of Islam, one which embraced each religion and sexual id.
Hendricks was well-known for his work in making a secure area for homosexual Muslims, first founding The Interior Circle in 1996, which supplied assist for these reconciling their sexuality with their religion. This led to the institution of the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape City, which opened its doorways to people from the LGBTQ+ neighborhood who had lengthy felt alienated by extra conventional spiritual areas.
His loss of life has prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the globe, with many calling for a full investigation into what some worry could have been a hate crime. Julia Ehrt, government director of the Worldwide Lesbian, Homosexual, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Affiliation (ILGA), condemned the assault and urged authorities to “completely examine what we worry could also be a hate crime.” She went on to explain Hendricks’ life as a beacon of therapeutic and solidarity, saying, “He supported and mentored so many individuals in South Africa and around the globe of their journey to reconcile with their religion, and his life has been a testomony to the therapeutic that solidarity throughout communities can usher in everybody’s lives.”
Hendricks had been concerned in officiating a lesbian marriage ceremony previous to his loss of life, although this has not been formally confirmed. Particulars of the ambush have been revealed by way of safety footage shared on social media, which confirmed a automotive pulling as much as block Hendricks’ automobile earlier than the assailants opened hearth by way of the again passenger window.
The Al-Ghurbaah Basis, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque, confirmed the imam’s loss of life in an announcement, labelling it a “focused assault”. Abdulmugheeth Petersen, chair of the muse’s board, made an enchantment to the general public to guard Hendricks’ household on this painful time, urging persistence within the face of their grief.
Hendricks’ work was revolutionary in a rustic that, regardless of its progressive post-apartheid structure—“the primary on the earth to guard folks from discrimination due to their sexual orientation”—nonetheless grapples with deep-seated prejudice and violence in direction of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. South Africa could have legalised same-sex marriage in 2006, however discrimination and violence proceed to have an effect on many, and Hendricks was no stranger to those struggles.
Within the 2022 documentary The Radical, Hendricks shared his expertise of dealing with loss of life threats, stating, “The have to be genuine was higher than the worry to die.” His openness about his id as a queer Muslim imam challenged the traditional understanding of each Islam and LGBTQ+ points, making him a beacon of hope for a lot of.
Reverend Jide Macaulay, a British-Nigerian LGBTQ+ rights activist and overtly homosexual Anglican minister, paid tribute to Hendricks’ bravery, describing his loss of life as “really heartbreaking”. Macaulay, who runs the Home of Rainbow organisation, which helps LGBTQ+ folks in Nigeria, a rustic the place same-sex relationships are unlawful, described Hendricks as a frontrunner whose braveness had left an indelible mark on the world. “Your management, braveness, and unwavering dedication to inclusive religion communities have left an indelible mark,” he mentioned.
Sadiq Lawal, a homosexual Muslim from Nigeria, additionally expressed his grief and shock, emphasising how vital Hendricks’ work had been for queer Muslims in Africa, particularly in locations like Nigeria the place spiritual extremism usually marginalises LGBTQ+ people. “He’s a mentor to many queer Muslims in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, due to spiritual extremism,” Lawal defined. “I’m nonetheless in shock and devastated.”
Hendricks’ legacy is one in every of profound braveness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to inclusivity. His work has impressed numerous people to embrace their identities with out worry, and his loss of life serves as a tragic reminder of the hatred that also exists in lots of components of the world. For individuals who knew him and have been touched by his work, his passing represents a devastating loss, however his instance will proceed to shine brightly, motivating others to battle for love, acceptance, and a extra inclusive religion for all.
