Horror as Muhsin Hendricks, “World’s First Gay Imam,” Assassinated in Gqeberha

South Africa’s LGBTQ+ community is in shock after the assassination of Cape Town’s Muhsin Hendricks, widely known as the world’s first openly gay imam, in what appears to be a targeted killing.

According to unverified reports, Hendricks, 58, was attending a wedding in Haley Place, Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha, on Saturday when he was murdered in cold blood. Some reports suggested the wedding was between two women, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Chilling Security Footage

Security footage shared on social media shows a gold-coloured VW T-Roc, in which Hendricks was seated, being blocked by a silver-coloured Hilux double cab.

A man, appearing to wear a hoodie, jumps out of the Hilux, runs to the T-Roc, and fires multiple shots into the vehicle. He then runs back to the Hilux, which speeds away.

A statement from the Eastern Cape Office of the Provincial Commissioner confirmed that Muhsin Hendricks was killed in a shooting, and that he and a driver were inside the VW T-Roc in Haley Place at the time.

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

She added, “The motive for the murder is unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation.”

Suspected Religious Hate Crime

There is speculation that the murder may have been a religiously motivated hate crime. Hendricks had received death threats over the years and was frequently criticised by conservative elements in his community for preaching a queer-affirming interpretation of Islam.

Hendricks studied at the Islamic University of Karachi and was married to a woman with whom he had three children before they divorced in 1996. He served as an imam but was removed from his position after coming out as gay. He was once quoted as saying, “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”

In 1996, he founded The Inner Circle, an organisation that helped LGBTQ+ Muslims reconcile their sexuality with their faith. In 2011, he established the LGBTQ+ inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque, where there was no gender segregation.

In 2012, Hendricks faced further backlash for marrying two Muslim women in a religious Islamic ceremony.

Muhsin Hendricks: A Life Dedicated to Advocacy

More recently, Hendricks led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which provides psycho-spiritual and social support to Muslims marginalised due to sexual orientation, gender identity, and belief. In 2022, his life and work were documented in The Radical, a film that was screened at festivals worldwide.

That same year, he spoke to MambaOnline about a fatwa issued by the South African Muslim Judicial Council, which condemned homosexuality as sinful and un-Islamic:

“The other issue that we have with the fatwa is that they use terminology like choice and desire, and that homosexuals should control their desires. I mean, are we just about desire? Is that all that homosexuality is about? What about our need to love who we are naturally attracted to? What about our need to also have families, to also be part of communities, to be part of spiritual communities?”

In November 2024, Hendricks was a panellist in discussions on queer faith at the ILGA World Conference in Cape Town.

In an interview with the Guardian, Hendricks expressed optimism about a future in which religion would be more inclusive of queer people:

“I came out when I was 29, but these days people come out when they’re 16. There are more safe spaces available and information. I’m hoping there will be more queer imams, so when I’m no longer around we can continue to exist and grow.”

Calls for Hendricks’ Family to be Protected

In a statement, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, Chairperson of the Board of Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, said, “This morning, a targeted attack was orchestrated on the life of Imam Muhsin Hendricks.”

Petersen noted that because Hendricks was travelling outside Cape Town at the time, very little was known about the incident. He added, “Over the next few days, his family will be travelling to piece together what information can be gathered. For now, we ask for your patience and support—especially in respect to providing protection for the family of the Imam.”

Social media has been flooded with messages from the LGBTQ+ community expressing shock, disbelief, and heartbreak over the brutal loss of a gentle, witty, and inspiring man who courageously dedicated his life to love and tolerance in the face of often hateful opposition.

Police have urged anyone with information about the crime to contact Detective Colonel Dawie Schotz at 082 319 8673 or SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111. All information will be kept confidential, and callers may remain anonymous.