World’s First Openly Gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks Killed in Targeted Shooting in South Africa

Hendricks, a pioneering LGBTQ+ advocate and religious leader, was ambushed by masked gunmen in Gqeberha, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into a possible hate crime.

Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world's first openly gay imam, was fatally shot while seated in a car in Gqeberha, South Africa, on Saturday morning.
Police have not yet determined a motive for the killing but are investigating claims that it may have been a hate crime or a professional hit.
Hendricks, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Islam, founded a mosque in Cape Town as a safe haven for queer Muslims and faced years of death threats.
The killing has drawn widespread condemnation from LGBTQ+ organizations, religious groups, and political leaders, with calls for justice and protection for marginalized communities.
Hendricks’ work and life were chronicled in the 2022 documentary 'The Radical,' where he spoke about the threats he faced and his commitment to living authentically despite risks.