Cape Town (Agencies): The murder of Muhsin Hendricks, South Africa’s first openly gay imam, has sent shockwaves through the nation after he was shot dead in Gqeberha ((formerly Port Elizabeth), Hendricks, had traveled to the city to officiate a same-sex wedding over the weekend.
According to police, Hendricks was in a car with another person when a vehicle blocked their path and two unknown suspects with covered faces got out and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle. Hendricks, who was seated at the back, was killed in the attack.
The motive behind the killing is still under investigation, but LGBTQ+ rights groups have urged authorities to consider the possibility of a hate crime. Hendricks was known for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Islam and had established the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town, which provides a safe space for queer Muslims and marginalized women
In the wake of his killing, the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) issued a public statement condemning the act and urging respect for the legal process. The board stressed that while many South African Muslims do not share Hendricks’ interpretations of Islam, his murder was an unconstitutional and unacceptable act of violence.
“We can undoubtedly state that his killing was unconstitutional,” the board declared, emphasizing that ideological or religious differences cannot justify acts of violence. “Islam has and will always have a variety of understandings, some of which may not be accepted by other Muslims. The CTUB, along with the vast majority of South African Muslims, does not align with the views of the deceased. However, no belief or difference in opinion justifies violence.”
The CTUB also warned against using Hendricks’ death to fuel broader political debates on Islam and gender, noting that such discussions are often politically charged and can misrepresent Islamic teachings. “We must be cautious not to conflate these issues,” the board added, urging the public to avoid drawing hasty conclusions as investigations continue.
Hendricks’ death has raised fresh concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ activists in South Africa, a country where constitutional protections for sexual orientation exist but where violence against queer individuals remains prevalent.