Tragedy struck as Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, was gunned down as he was leaving to officiate an interfaith marriage.

Desiree Le Roux: Family’s Response to the Assassination

The wedding was set to be a celebration of love and unity. Desiree le Roux, whose niece’s wedding in Gqeberha was to be the second interfaith marriage presided over by Hendricks, was devastated by the turn of events. Le Roux emphasized that, “He was the only one who had the strength and conviction to do so.”

“He never arrived. I sat there wondering where he was. I did not look at messages on my phone, so did not realize what had happened until I saw Muhsin’s cousin’s message asking me to assist in finding out any information. At that point, I was still hoping that he had just been injured, but my cousin informed me that Muhsin was no more. The shock at this terrible news nearly brought me to my knees,” Le Roux shared.

Le Roux spoke about Hendricks’ dedication to principles of love, unity, and understanding, which she believed should define faith, not divide it. She expressed disbelief at the murder, stating, “For that, he was murdered.”

She added that his assassination has now perpetuated vicious rumors and spread misinformation, hurting not just Hendricks’ name but her family’s honor as well, because they simply wanted to celebrate interfaith love.

Mosque Condemns Murder

The Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) issued a strong statement against the assassination. They emphatically condemned the action, calling it “a tragic, cowardly, and merciless targeted assassination of a Muslim leader within the LGBTQI+ community.”

The mosque expressed profound shock and deep disturbance at the violence.

They cited sacred Islamic verses about the sanctity of human life, stating, “Islam teaches that the unjust killing of a single soul is akin to killing all of humanity (Qur’an 5:32),” and emphasized that no theological dispute, no matter how profound, could justify murder.

The CMRM mosque strongly urged the police to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrator to justice.

The Legacy of Muhsin Hendricks

Muhsin Hendricks had a profound impact in his field. He studied classical Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Islamic Studies in Karachi, Pakistan, from 1990-94, and focused on gender and sexual diversity in Islam through his career.

He conducted extensive research and presented numerous papers on Islam and sexual diversity. Hendricks made efforts to educate and train people on these issues, facilitating workshops in South Africa, the US, and Europe.

In 2006, Hendricks was selected as one of the top 10 social entrepreneurs from over 970 international applicants by Echoing Green. He won several community awards for his personal sacrifices and outstanding courage.

Hendricks was also featured in the documentary A Jihad for Love, which explored the lives of queer Muslims.

Perhaps one of his most significant contributions was founding and directing The Inner Circle, the largest publicly recognized organization for queers in the Muslim world. The Inner Circle offers a robust education and training program centered around Islamic sexual diversity.

An Ongoing Battle for Equality

The assassination of an advocate for LGBTQI+ rights within Islam serves as a grim reminder of the continued dangers faced by minorities fighting for equality across different faiths.

Hendricks’ story and legacy highlight the importance of educating and embracing individuals from all backgrounds and identities, including sexual minorities.

His commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of human rights transcended his religious beliefs. Despite the tragic circumstances, Hendricks remains an inspiration to many, especially those living under the daily threat of discrimination and prejudice.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The assassination of Muhsin Hendricks is a dark chapter in the pursuit of religious and sexual equality. As a global community, we must remain united in our defense of human rights and stand against violence and division.

His legacy continues to inspire change and challenge societal norms. His work paved the way for further dialogue about sexual orientation and Islam, and his story should never be forgotten.

Let’s honor his memory by working towards a future where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and equality, regardless of their faith or sexual orientation.

What You Can Do

To help bring justice to Muhsin Hendricks’ family, you can:

• Share this article and his story on social media to raise awareness.
• Pledge support for LGBTQI+ rights and equality within religious communities.
• Advocate for safer spaces for LGBTQI+ individuals to express their identities without fear of violence or discrimination.

We encourage you to leave a comment below and share your thoughts on this tragic event andMuhsin Hendricks’ impact.