By James Kabengwa
The shocking murder of Muhsin Hendricks, recognized as the first openly gay imam globally, serves as a grim reminder of the lethal impact of homophobia and hate-driven violence.
Killed in South Africa on Saturday, Hendricks’ death has sent ripples of grief and anger across the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, prompting urgent reflections on the safety of queer individuals, especially those who challenge societal norms.
While investigators have yet to confirm the motive, the possibility that this was a hate crime is both plausible and deeply unsettling.
Hendricks’ life was a beacon of bravery and resilience. In 1996, he made history by publicly embracing his identity as a gay imam, a courageous act that positioned him at the crossroads of faith and self-expression.
Through the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Cape Town, he created a safe space for queer Muslims, offering support to those grappling with the intersection of their faith and sexual orientation.
Yet, his advocacy came with immense personal risk. Hendricks endured death threats and relentless opposition, as captured in the 2022 documentary “The Radical” which chronicled his efforts to establish a mosque for LGBTQ+ Muslims.
“The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die,” he once said—a statement that now feels hauntingly prophetic.
South Africa, despite its progressive constitution that protects LGBTQ+ rights, remains a perilous environment for queer individuals.
The country’s soaring murder rates, among the highest globally, are compounded by frequent acts of violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Hendricks’ killing is not an isolated tragedy but part of a disturbing trend targeting those who defy societal expectations.
The fact that his assailants remain unidentified highlights systemic failures in addressing hate crimes and safeguarding marginalized groups.
Reactions from religious and governmental bodies have been mixed. The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa condemned Hendricks’ murder but reiterated its position that his views on same-sex relationships were “incompatible with Islamic teachings.”
This contradictory stance—denouncing violence while upholding discriminatory beliefs—reveals the deep-seated hypocrisy that fuels anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.
Similarly, South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has vowed to monitor the case, but such assurances lack weight without tangible efforts to tackle the root causes of hate-driven violence.
Hendricks’ death is a sobering reminder that the fight for equality is fraught with danger and resistance. His murder is not just a loss for the LGBTQ+ community but for humanity at large.
It underscores the pressing need for governments, religious institutions, and civil society to confront homophobia and transphobia with unwavering resolve. Education, advocacy, and legal reforms are critical to dismantling the systems that perpetuate hate and violence.
In my country Uganda there is intensified LGBTQ+ persecution with harsh anti-gay laws, that has sparked global outrage. Activists face violence, arrests, and discrimination, while international calls for human rights protections grow.
As we mourn Muhsin Hendricks, we must also honor his legacy by continuing the struggle for a world where no one is forced to choose between their faith, identity, and safety. Silence in the face of such atrocities is complicity. It is time to raise our voices, take a stand, and demand justice for Hendricks and all those whose lives have been cut short by hate.
The writer is a journalist and rights activist
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