Muslim Judicial Council Condemns Imam Muhsin Hendricks’ Murder

Despite issuing a 2022 fatwa declaring that same-sex relationships are incompatible with Islam, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) of South Africa has spoken out against the murder of Cape Town’s Imam Muhsin Hendricks.

Hendricks, 58, an openly gay imam, was assassinated by a hooded gunman in what appeared to be a targeted ambush in Gqeberha on Saturday. The religious leader, who preached an LGBTIQ+-affirming version of Islam, had faced criticism and death threats from radical conservative elements within his community.

MJC Condemns the Murder

In a statement, the MJC expressed “its deep concern” over the incident, describing the murder as “shocking.”

“The sanctity of human life is a fundamental tenet of Islam, and the unlawful taking of life is a grave transgression, both in religious jurisprudence and within the legal framework of the Republic of South Africa,” said the council.

It called on the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The council distanced itself from the possibility that Hendricks’ murder may have been driven by hatred due to his sexuality and his affirming views on same-sex relationships.

“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,” it said. The council further advocated for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, even amidst divergent views.

MJC’s 2022 Fatwa and the Response From Muhsin Hendricks

In 2022, the MJC issued a fatwa (religious ruling) stating that Islamic laws “unequivocally prohibit same-sex actions and, by extension, same-sex marriages.” As a result, it asserted that any Muslim in a same-sex relationship or engaging in same-sex sexuality would have “taken themselves out of the fold of Islam.”

The council urged Muslims to “display good conduct” towards non-Muslims belonging to the LGBTQ community, adding that “our religion teaches us to hate the sin, not the sinner.” However, it was less clear about displaying “good conduct” towards LGBTQ Muslims who are not celibate.

At the time, Hendricks told MambaOnline that the fatwa was “very reactionary” and questioned why the MJC chose to issue it.

“Of all the socio-political issues that the MJC could have tackled while our country is in turmoil, did they have to pick on homosexuality?” he asked. “It just causes harm. It’s a thoughtless statement when queer Muslims are struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation.”

He added: “Although these imams are calling for people not to be violent, if you make a statement that a [queer] person is out of the fold of Islam, it will incite hate towards those people or people like myself.”

Claremont Main Road Mosque Also Issues Strong Condemnation

Claremont Main Road Masjid in Cape Town expressed its sadness and outrage at the murder of Muhsin Hendricks, describing him as “a queer Muslim leader, human rights activist, and someone who upheld the dignity of all people.”

The mosque was unequivocal in its condemnation of the “cowardly, and merciless targeted assassination of this Muslim leader within the LGBTQI+ community.”

“We are profoundly shocked and deeply disturbed by this extreme act of violence. At the heart of our faith is the absolute sanctity, reverence, and sacredness of human life. Islam teaches that the unjust killing of a single soul is akin to killing all of humanity.”

The mosque insisted that “no theological dispute, no matter how profound, and no jurisprudential difference, no matter how contested, can ever justify murder,” adding that “extrajudicial killings violate every ethical, moral, and spiritual principle we uphold.”

It further asserted that “acts of hate, wanton violence, and criminality have no place in our communities and our faith tradition.” The mosque extended its “heartfelt embrace and condolences” to Hendricks’ loved ones and stated: “May Allah, the Lord of Mercy and Compassion, receive his soul with Divine Mercy and Grace.”

Centre for Contemporary Islam Speaks Out Against Hateful Reactions

The Centre for Contemporary Islam at the University of Cape Town has sharply criticised the hateful way some members of the Muslim community have responded to the murder of Muhsin Hendricks.

Some individuals took to social media platforms to applaud and praise the brutal killing, suggesting that the gay imam had brought his violent end upon himself by embracing the LGBTQ community within the Islamic faith.

More than 200 Muslim academics, students, and professionals signed the statement condemning these disturbing reactions. “The compounded horror of such violence and brutality has brought into sharp focus the intense homophobia permeating the Muslim and other faith communities,” said the centre.

“In the last two years, we have witnessed a genocide enabled by the language of dehumanisation of Palestinian people,” continued the signatories. “It is the same underlying logic of dehumanisation that enables a targeted assassination of a queer human being who stood up for justice. We must recognise that when we are silent in the face of homophobia, patriarchy, and Zionism, we enable not only violent systems but systems that perpetuate violence and death. We are both ethically and spiritually accountable.”

The centre said that Hendricks’ theology “was a liberation theology: God is a God of radical love and justice for all human beings”.

Al-Ghurbaah Foundation Clarifies Hendricks’ Visit to Gqeberha

The Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which was founded and led by Hendricks, has clarified that he was in Gqeberha to officiate the marriages of two interfaith heterosexual couples when he was murdered. There had been speculation that he had been officiating a same-sex marriage.

The board of the foundation stated that it was committed to ensuring that its founder’s “mission continues while carefully considering the safety of its beneficiaries.”

It further said that Hendricks’ family was grieving in private and had requested complete confidentiality, adding, “We urge everyone to respect their need for space and refrain from contacting them directly.”

While his janazah (burial) has already taken place, details of a memorial event to honour the life and contributions of Muhsin Hendricks will be announced within the coming week.