Muhsin Hendricks, considered the world’s first openly gay imam who ran a mosque intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims, was shot dead near the southern city of Gqeberha, South African police said
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A man regarded as the first openly gay Muslim imam has been fatally shot while sitting in a car in South Africa in what many are calling an assassination because of his teachings.
Muhsin Hendricks was ambushed by two men in a pick-up truck while visiting the southern city of Gqeberha on Saturday. Police said the men involved in the killing had their faces covered.
A security video of the shooting shows one of them jumping out of their vehicle, running up to the car Hendricks was in and firing a pistol multiple times through a side window.
Police said Hendricks was with a driver, who survived.
VIDEO OF THE SHOOTING OF Muhsin Hendricks
Police have not established a motive for the killing, but political parties and LGBTQ+ organizations say Hendricks was targeted because he started a mosque in Cape Town for gay Muslims and called for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be welcomed into Islam.
Homosexuality is forbidden in the Islamic religion.
