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Top 10 facts about Muhsin Hendricks, 1st openly LGBTQ+ imam

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TheRadar compiled 10 facts about Muhsin Hendricks, the Imam who advocated for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) rights. Muhsin Hendricks, the first openly gay imam was shot dead in South Africa | Photo Credit: Indiatimes
  • Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, was reportedly killed in South Africa 
  • He founded the Al-Fitrah Foundation and created Masjidul Ghurbaah, a mosque dedicated to serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) community 
  • TheRadar spotlighted the gay imam and LGBTQ+ rights advocate 

Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, was tragically shot and killed in South Africa while travelling in a car with another person on Saturday, February 15. 

According to police, the assailant, whose identity was unknown, opened fire before escaping in his vehicle. The driver later discovered that Hendricks had been fatally shot.

Speculation has circulated that Hendricks was killed after performing a lesbian wedding ceremony, but this has yet to be confirmed, as per a report by the BBC.

What to know about the first openly gay imam 

TheRadar compiled facts about the first gay Imam and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) activist below: 

1. Born in June 1967, Hendricks embarked on a theological journey at the age of 21. He left South Africa to study in Pakistan. 

2. He married a woman in 1991 and had children.  

3. He had three children and was divorced in 1996. 

4. Hendricks publicly came out in 1996 as gay, a move that caused controversy within the local Muslim community. 

5. That same year, he founded “The Inner Circle,” a support group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) Muslims. The group later evolved into the Al-Fitrah Foundation. 

6. His efforts culminated in the creation of Masjidul Ghurbaah, a mosque in Cape Town dedicated to serving gay and marginalised Muslims.

7. His interpretation of Islamic teachings, notably his belief that the Quran does not condemn homosexuality, put him at odds with mainstream Islamic thought. 

8. He famously argued that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah condemned rape, not homosexuality.

9. From 1998 onwards, Hendricks offered prayers, counselling, and Muslim same-sex marriage ceremonies. He became a staunch advocate for mental health support within Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) religious communities.

10. The prominent South African imam, Islamic scholar, and LGBT activist passed away on February 15, 2025, at the age of 57. 

10 African countries that have criminalised LGBTQ

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that globally, LGBTQ is legal in two-thirds of the countries in the world however, some countries, especially African countries, criminalised and restricted the rights of LGBTQ individuals. 

TheRadar compiled a list of African countries where LGBTQ+ is illegal. 

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Halima AdeosunAdmin

Halima Adeosun is a news writer with over 5 years of experience reporting insightful events, and human interest stories.

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