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Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world First openly gay imam, He was shot dead in South Africa during the weekend, since the authorities investigate whether the murder was a hate crime.
In a statement obtained by the BBC, the police said that Hendricks was killed on Saturday morning while traveling near the Gqeberha City in the province of the Eastern Cabo de South Africa. According to the reports, his car was ambushed.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces left the vehicle and began shooting multiple shots in the vehicle,” authorities said.
Hendricks founded The Inner Circle, a safe shelter for homosexual Muslims, shortly after leaving an openly gay magnet in 1996. He was previously married to a woman before divorcing the same year he came out.
The Muhsin Hendricks magnet prepares for the beginning of the Jumu’ah prayer in the Mosque of the Inner Circle, in Wynberg, in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2016. (Rodger Bosch/AFP through Getty Images)
“The internal circle is the longest, largest and most influential human rights organization that deals with Islam, gender and sexual diversity from an Islamic theological perspective,” says the organization’s website. “The internal circle works internationally and supports international affiliated organizations to do a similar job, within an Islamic framework.”
In a statement, the ULAMA Board of Cape, an organization of Sunni leaders – He condemned the murder, but said that his views “do not align with the opinions of the deceased.”
“We maintain that Islamic teachings firmly condemn violence, murder or actions that undermine the rule of law and destabilize society,” reads the statement. “Therefore, the Ulama Board of Cabo del Cabo urges our communities to allow the law to investigate the incident, and by following due process, we hope to maintain peace and order.”
The International Association of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans and Intersex (Ilga) said in a statement that they believe that murder “can be a hate crime.”
The Muhsin Hendricks magnet leads the beginning of the Jumu’ah prayer in the Mosque of the Inner Circle, in Wynberg, in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2016. (Rodger Bosch/AFP through Getty Images)
“He supported and advised so many people in South Africa and worldwide on their trip to reconcile with their faith, and his life has been a testimony of healing that solidarity between communities can bring everyone’s life,” Julia Ehrt, Executive Director of Ilga, Julia Ehrt said. “Our condolences are with all those who have been touched by their presence in all these years.”
In 2022, Hendricks raised concerns about a Fatwa condemning homosexuality issued by the Muslim Judicial Council. The ruling discovered that homosexuality is incompatible with Islam, and said that homosexual Muslims “have been removed from the fold of Islam.”
An aerial shot by Pollok Beach in Port Elizabeth, a city in somewhat Bay in the province of the Eastern Cabo in South Africa. (Istock)
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“While it was not a complete shock, it has made me painful considering that it was released when we had the month of pride,” Hendricks said at that time. “The homosexual phrase was only coined in the 18th century and the Qu’ran has been for much longer before that, so how can there be writings that condemn the relationship between people of the same sex?”
The authorities are actively investigating the incident. No additional details are known at this time.
