Gay Imam Shot Dead After Officiating Lesbian Wedding In S’Africa
World’s first openly gay Imam, Muhsin Hendricks has been shot dead in South Africa, BBC reports on Sunday.
The 57-year-old cleric was ambushed after leading a Cape Town mosque known for welcoming LGBTQ+ and marginalised Muslims on Saturday near the southern city of Gqeberha.
South African police said two masked gunmen fired multiple shots at the vehicle in which Hendricks was a backseat passenger.
Security footage shared widely on social media, captured the moment a car blocked Hendricks’ vehicle before an assailant jumped out and repeatedly fired through the back window.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement.
The Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town’s Wynberg suburb, confirmed the imam’s death in what it called a targeted attack.
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The foundation’s board chair, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, urged the public to respect Hendricks’ family’s privacy as they grieved, according to BBC.
Reports suggest Hendricks was killed after officiating a lesbian wedding, though police have not confirmed this detail.
The news sparked an outpouring of tributes from the LGBTQ+ community.
The executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Julia Ehrt, expressed grief and urged a full investigation into what may have been a “hate crime.”
“He supported and mentored so many people in South Africa and around the world in their journey to reconcile with their faith, and his life has been a testament to the healing that solidarity across communities can bring in everyone’s lives,” she said.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
