Bethelsdorp, South Africa| Moegsien Hendricks, widely recognized as the world’s first openly gay imam, was shot dead in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The 58-year-old cleric was reportedly in Bethelsdorp, near Gqeberha, to officiate a wedding between a lesbian couple when he was brutally attacked in what appears to be a targeted assassination.
Details of the Attack
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, Hendricks was in a gold-coloured VW T-Roc when gunmen ambushed him.
“It is alleged that at approximately 10:00 AM, the deceased, Imam Moegsien Hendricks, and a driver were inside the vehicle in Haley Place, Extension 24, Bethelsdorp, when a silver-coloured Hilux double cab stopped in front of them, blocking their path,” Van Rensburg stated.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the car before fleeing the scene. The driver, who was unharmed, later realized that Hendricks, who was seated in the back, had been fatally shot.”
Authorities have launched an investigation, but the motive for the murder remains officially unknown at this time.
Community Backlash and Religious Tensions
Hendricks’ presence in Bethelsdorp was controversial due to his progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights within Islam, a topic that remains highly contentious in many Muslim communities.
Reports suggest that he was invited to the city to officiate the wedding of a Muslim woman, Naadira Abader’s daughter, and her non-Muslim female partner, after local imams in Port Elizabeth (PE) refused to conduct the ceremony.
A Facebook user, Rif’at Brower, wrote about the incident, revealing the extent of the opposition Hendricks faced from the local Muslim community.
“Sheikh Mukhtar of PE stated that they would not marry the two females and that no one in PE would. The couple then invited the so-called gay imam from Cape Town, Moegsien Hendricks, to officiate,” Brower wrote.
In a chilling remark following the killing, he added, “There is less Fasaad (moral corruption) now with him gone. We cannot allow this Fasaad and Jahiliah (ignorance) in our community and faith.”
These comments have fueled suspicions that Hendricks’ murder may have been religiously or ideologically motivated.
A Legacy of LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Hendricks, a Cape Town-based religious leader, was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Islam.
He was known for challenging traditional interpretations of Islamic teachings regarding homosexuality and had been a key figure in pushing for progressive discussions on gender and sexuality within the faith.
His work earned him both admiration and intense criticism. While some viewed him as a champion of marginalized communities, others condemned him as an extremist promoting ideas that contradict Islamic doctrine.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Reaction
While police have yet to determine whether Hendricks’ murder was a hate crime, LGBTQ+ and human rights organizations have called for a thorough investigation into the possibility that he was assassinated for his activism.
“This is a tragic and deeply disturbing act of violence,” said a spokesperson for an LGBTQ+ advocacy group in South Africa.
“If this was a targeted attack on Imam Hendricks for his beliefs and activism, it sets a terrifying precedent for religious leaders who stand up for inclusivity and equality.”
The murder has sparked debate both within South Africa and globally, highlighting the ongoing tensions between conservative religious beliefs and progressive movements advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their investigation.
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