Reactions Trail Murder Of World’s First Openly Gay Imam
Reactions have continued to trail the death of a pioneering figure dubbed the world’s first openly gay imam in South Africa, Muhsin Hendricks.
Hendricks was killed after he had reportedly officiated at a lesbian wedding, though this has not been officially confirmed
The 57-year-old cleric who ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalized Muslims was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha was ambushed.
Confirming the statement, South African Police in a statement said two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle.
While the news has so far sent fears to the spines of many, news of Hendricks’ death has also sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.
Executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Julia Ehrt, while reacting called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate what they fear may be a hate crime.
Similarly, an openly gay Anglican minister, Reverend Jide Macaulay described Hendricks’ death as “truly heartbreaking”.
Hendricks came out as gay in 1996, which shocked the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and elsewhere.
