Muhsin Hendricks: World’s ‘First Openly Gay Imam’ Shot Dead, Location Announced
- The world's first openly gay imam, Muhsin Hendricks, has been killed by unknown gunmen in South Africa
- According to the police, the 57-year-old gay man was ambushed and shot to death by assailants on Saturday morning, February 15, 2025
- The police said the gay imam was in the back seat of the car when suspects with covered faces fired multiple shots at the vehicle where Hendricks was travelling in
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
South Africa - The 57-year-old world's first openly gay imam, Muhsin Hendricks, was shot dead on Saturday morning, February 15, 2025, in South Africa.
Hendricks was shot dead after the car in which he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha was ambushed.
Source: Facebook
As reported by BBC, the late Imam ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims.
Hendricks was allegedly killed after officiating at a lesbian wedding.
The police confirmed the tragic incident in a statement, adding that the Imam was killed by two suspects with covered faces.
"Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,"
According to police, the imam was in the back seat of the car when the gunmen attacked the vehicle.
Hendricks' Al-Ghurbaah Foundation stated that the Imam was killed in a targeted attack on Saturday morning.
The security footage shared on social media revealed details of the attack.
It shows a car pulling up and blocking the vehicle in which Hendricks was travelling as it was pulling away from the curb.
One of the assailants jumps out of a car, runs to the ambushed vehicle, and shoots repeatedly through the back passenger window.
Who is Muhsin Hendricks?
The pioneering figure shocked the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and elsewhere when he came out as gay in 1996.
He founded The Inner Circle, an organisation providing support and a safe space for gay and lesbian Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality.
He also established the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in the Wynberg suburb of Cape Town.
He was the subject of a documentary in 2022 called The Radical, in which he said about the threats he faced: "The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die."
Legit.ng also reported that the Delta state police command announced the arrest of over 100 gay suspects in the south-south state.
The suspects allegedly organised a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel, contrary to set rules in Nigeria.
Police operatives subsequently paraded the male suspects, with some of them appearing like crossdressers.
Desmond Elliot addresses rumours of him being gay
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nollywood actor turned politician Desmond Elliot and a member of the Lagos state house of assembly officially addressed the rumours of being gay.
Legit.ng recalls that Elliot was recently recognised as one of the top Nigerian celebrities accused of being homosexual.
The list, which included the names of many famous persons in the country, sparked a debate among netizens.
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Source: Legit.ng
