World’s ‘first openly gay imam’ Muhsin Hendricks was shot de@d in South Africa

Muhsin Hendricks was known for being the first openly gay Imam. The 57-year-old South African Imam and Islamic scholar was reportedly targeted in his vehicle by a shooter after officiating a wedding.

The cleric officiated a wedding between a lesbian couple in Bethelsdorp on Saturday, February 15th, 2025.

According to a reporter, the local community and imams refused to marry the lesbian couple (Naadira Abader’s daughter).

“Naadirah Abader’s daughter was getting married to another female non-Muslim. Sheikh Mukhtar of (Port Elizabeth) PE said that they will not marry the two females and no one in PE will,” he wrote.

 The females then got the gay imam from Cape Town, Muhsin Hendricks to marry them.

 Mushin was shot and k!lled at the wedding. ”There is less Fasaad now with him gone. We cannot allow this Fasaad (moral c0rruption against God) and Jahiliah in our community and faith.” They said.

 Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, who confirmed the incident said the motive for the shooting is unknown.

“The police are seeking information to solve a murd3r case that was reported at SAPS Bethelsdorp following a shooting incident that took place at Extension 24, Bethelsdorp early on Saturday, 15th February 2025,” Rensburg said.

Hendricks became the world’s first openly gay imam when he came out in 1996.

He led a group of queer Muslims through the Al-Ghurbaah (the strangers) Foundation, based in a mosque in Wynberg.

The organization supports LGBTQ+ and has programmes that help Muslims with their s3xuality and their faith.

On January 17th, the imam posted a video singing, in Arabic, a song that says: “You won’t be able to forget me.”