Overview

• 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.