The World “First Open Gay Imam” shoots in South Africa

Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneer figure called the world’s first discovered gay Imam, was shot in South Africa.

The 57-year-old priest rules a mosque in Cape Town, designed as a safe haven for gay and other marginalized Muslims. He was killed on Saturday morning after the car he was traveling near the southern town of Gcaberha was planted.

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and began to fire several shots on the vehicle,” a police said.

The news of Hendrix’s death sent shock waves via the LGBTQ+ community and then caused the pouring of tribute from around the world.

Julia Ert, CEO of the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, trance and intersex association (LLGA), called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate “what we are afraid of being a crime of hatred.”

“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 was a testimony to healing that solidarity in communities could bring everyone’s life,” she said.

Hendrix was killed after he announced that he had served a lesbian wedding, although this was not officially confirmed.

The details of the attack appeared through security staff, which were shared on social media.

It can be seen a car pulling and blocking the car in which Hendrix was traveling while pulling from the curb. According to police, the imam was in the back seat.

The angle of CCTV footage reveals what happened on one side of the road – an attacker pops out of a car, runs to the planted vehicle and shoots many times through the passenger’s rear window.

Hendrix’s Al-Guba Foundation, which runs the Magidul Gurba Mosque in Cape Town’s suburbs of Capeberg, has confirmed that he has died on a deliberate attack on Saturday morning.

But Abdulmugate Peterssen, chairman of the foundation, appealed through a group WhatsApp, to be patient followers, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Hendrix family.

Hendrick’s work challenged the traditional interpretations of Islam and supports a compassionate, inclusive faith.

The South Africa Constitution after Apartheid is the first in the world to protect people from discrimination due to its sexual orientation and in 2006 became the first country in Africa to legalize same -sex marriage.

But despite the thriving LGBT community, gays are still facing discrimination and violence. The country also has one of the highest killings in the world.

Hendrix came out as a gay in 1996, which shocked the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and elsewhere.

The same year, he founded the internal circle, an organization providing support and a safe space for strange Muslims who seek to reconcile their faith and sexuality before continuing to establish the inclusive Magidul Gurba Mosque.

He was the subject of a documentary in 2022, called “Radical”, in which he said of the threats that he faced: “The need to be authentic was greater than fear of die.”

Hendrix often speaks to the importance of inter -confessional dialogue and the need to deal with the problems of mental health and trauma that LGBTQ+ individuals in religious communities face.

He told the Ilga World Conference in Cape Town last year: “It’s important to stop looking at religion as an enemy.”

Reverend Jeide McAlay, open gay -angelic minister, described Hendrix’s death as “really heartbreaking”.

The British-Nigerian LGBTQ rights activist manages House of Rainbow, an organization that provides support for gays in Nigeria, where the relationships of same-sex or public manifestations of love are illegal and pay tribute to Hendrix’s courage.

“Your leadership, courage and unwavering dedication to the inclusive communities of faith have left an indelible sign,” he said.

Sadik Loal, a gay Muslim living in Nigeria, told the BBC that Hendrix had such an impact because he had made “the impossible possible”, saying the words: “I am strangely I have.”

“He is the mentor of many strange Muslims in Africa, especially in Nigeria, because of religious extremism,” he said.

“I’m still in shock and devastated.”