He officiated a lesbian wedding! Did this lead to his death?
Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam and a prominent advocate for LGBT+ Muslims, was fatally shot on 15 February 2025 near Gqeberha, South Africa. Reports suggest that Hendricks had recently officiated a lesbian wedding, leading to suspicions that his murder may have been a targeted hate crime.
According to police, Hendricks was in a vehicle with another person when a car blocked their path in Bethelsdorp, a suburb of Gqeberha. “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” stated the Eastern Cape police. The assailants fled the scene, leaving Hendricks fatally wounded in the back seat. Authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the attack and are appealing for public assistance in their investigation.
Hendricks, born in Cape Town in June 1967, publicly came out as gay in 1996, challenging traditional norms within the Muslim community. He founded The Inner Circle, later known as the Al-Fitrah Foundation, to support LGBT+ Muslims striving to reconcile their faith with their sexuality. In 2011, he established the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town, providing a sanctuary where queer Muslims and marginalised women could practice Islam without fear of discrimination.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) expressed profound shock at Hendricks’ death. “The ILGA World family is in deep shock at the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks and calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime,” stated executive director Julia Ehrt.
Hendricks had previously acknowledged receiving threats due to his activism but remained resolute, stating, “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”
South Africa, despite its progressive stance on LGBT+ rights—including being the first African nation to legalise same-sex marriage in 2006—continues to grapple with high rates of violent crime. Hendricks’ untimely death underscores the persistent challenges faced by LGBT+ individuals in the region. As investigations continue, the global community mourns the loss of a pioneering figure who dedicated his life to fostering inclusivity and acceptance within Islam.