Muhsin Hendricks, world’s ‘first openly gay imam’, shot dead in South Africa

Muhsin Hendricks, believed to be the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa.

Hendricks was killed on Saturday near the southern city of Gqeberha after assailants ambushed his vehicle and opened fire.

According to reports, the imam had just finished officiating a lesbian wedding before he was killed.

A police statement said Hendricks was in a car with another person on Saturday when a vehicle stopped in front of them and blocked their exit.

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” the statement reads.

“Thereafter they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed.”

The imam ran a mosque intended as a haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims.

His killing has stirred anger from the LGBTQ+ community.

Hendricks, involved in various LGBTQ advocacy groups, came out as gay in 1996.

He was also the subject of a 2022 documentary called “The Radical,” which gave an insight into his queer choice as a clergyman.

Hendricks previously alluded to threats against him but insisted that “the need to be authentic” was “greater than the fear to die”.