Muhsin Hendricks, the man hailed as the world's first imam to publicly identify as gay, was fatally shot in South Africa on Saturday, local police confirmed. Human rights organizations are concerned that his death could be a hate crime.
The Eastern Cape provincial police stated they are investigating the murder of the 58-year-old in Bethelsdorp, though the motive remains unclear. According to the police, at approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, Hendricks and a driver were in a gold-coloured VW T-Roc at Haley Place in Extension 24, Bethelsdorp, when a silver-coloured Hilux double cab blocked their path. Two masked individuals emerged from the vehicle and opened fire on them. After the attack, the assailants fled, and the driver discovered that Hendricks, who was seated in the back of the car, had been shot dead.
A security camera video capturing the shooting has been widely shared on social media, although CNN has not independently verified the footage, and authorities have not confirmed its authenticity as the investigation is still ongoing.
South Africa experiences a high rate of shootings, and its murder rates remain among the highest in the world, currently at a 20-year peak.
Hendricks, who made history in 1996 as the first imam to publicly come out as gay, was a well-known advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA World) expressed deep shock over his death and urged authorities to thoroughly investigate, suspecting it may be a hate crime. "We fear this may be a hate crime," said Julia Ehrt, ILGA World's executive director.
The South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development expressed sorrow over Hendricks' murder, pledging to ensure justice is served if his death is confirmed to be motivated by hate.
Hendricks was the founder of the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Cape Town, a human rights organization that helps queer Muslims reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa (MJC) condemned the “shocking killing” and stated, “While the MJC has consistently maintained that Muhsin’s views on same-sex relationships are incompatible with Islamic teachings, we unequivocally condemn his murder and any violence directed at members of the LGBTQ+ community or any other group.”
In 2022, Hendricks was featured in the documentary The Radical, which highlighted his efforts to establish a mosque for LGBTQ+ Muslims in Cape Town despite facing death threats. "The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die," Hendricks shared in the film.
Meanwhile: Popular singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, came under fire after he publicly accused the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mohammed Abba, of failing to uphold the rule of law as preparations for the local government elections in the state were ongoing.
The singer took to his X account on Monday, February 17, 2025, to express his dissatisfaction with the current situation.
In one of the posts, he wrote, “Mr Commissioner respect the rule of law!!! You are not madder or crazier than us!! Make we all kuku mad!! MEN MOUNT WALAI TO KRF!!! I will post u everyday everywhere Mr man!!! Try me f***er.”
In another post, he noted “Mr Umar Abba Osun State Commissioner, you are a disgrace to your children!!!!! Game on F***ER!!!! All of us go mad together!! Werey!!!”
However, shortly after his rants went viral, Davido returned to social media to retract his words. In a statement titled ‘My Take on Osun CP, NPF and Forthcoming LG Elections’, he acknowledged the efforts of the CP and other security agencies. It read in part, “Further review of political development in Osun State revealed more facts which include several genuine efforts of the state security agencies including the state Commissioner of Police. The bloodshed of today infuriated me so much that I heaped all the blame on the Commissioner of Police.
“I now see that the issue is more than that of the Commissioner of Police or other security chiefs. The needless killings of today angered me so deeply that I thought such should have been nipped in the bud. Yet, I can see that the security agencies led by the Commissioner of Police put in their best and deserve commendation.”
Reacting to his rant online, many netizens criticized what they described as his “unguarded outburst”. Read more here.....
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