Muhsin Hendricks, 57, was shot dead on the 15th of February 2025. Whilst driving in Bethelsdro, South Africa several gunshots were reportedly fired by two gunmen who had blocked Hendricks car. The eastern cape force report that the gunmen fled the scene after the shooting “and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed.” The south African police had launched an investigation into his death and have so far ruled the motive as unknown. However, many international organisations are causing the killing a hate crime due to Hendricks status as “the first openly gay Imam”
In 1996 after divorcing his then wife of 5 years, Hendricks lived quietly on a farm for three months as he fasted for around 80 days, seeking spiritual guidance. The year after he publicly announced that he was gay. Hendricks was fired as Iman at a local Madrasa or spiritual and educational facility due to this announcement.
Despite this Hendricks refused to give up on his faith or sacrifice his sexuality and instead became a figure head for LGBTQ+ Muslims within south africa and internationally. Since 1996 Hendricks has been vocal in his activism for, that year he founded the “inner circle” group to create an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ Muslims who felt excluded from their mosques. After that in 1998 he started to provide counselling and even offered same sex Muslim marriage ceremonies.
His activism created a tense relationship between Hendricks and the Muslim Judicial council (MJC) in south africa. In 2022 the MJC issued a fatwa or a religious ruling that many Muslims are encouraged to follow, banning same sex marriage. The MJC stated that people engaging in same sex marriage or even activity were taking “themselves out of the fold of Islam.” Hendricks responded to the ruling calling the MJC’s policy “reactionary.” When the death of Hendricks was announced the MJC issued a statement condemning his murder, they stated “While the MJC has consistently maintained that Muhsin’s position is incompatible with Islamic teachings, we unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community.”
The South African police are yet to confirm a motive for the killing and are still in the midst of their investigation however many speculate that Hendricks killing was a targeted hate crime based off of his sexuality and activism. ILGA or the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association have had worked closely with Hendricks even inviting him to speak at their conference in 2024 also released a statement to express their grief and concerns. In their statement ILGA executive director Julia Ehrt wrote “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” this statement echoes the general concerns of hate fuelled violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community in south Africa and worldwide.