Mohsin Hendricks, the world’s first overtly homosexual imam was shot lifeless in Gqeberha, South Africa, final weekend whereas attending a marriage.
Based on the Division of Girls, Youth and Individuals with Disabilities, the motive behind Hendricks’s homicide stays unknown, nonetheless, there are suspicions that the crime is perhaps a religiously motivated hate crime.
“This brutal homicide is not only about Imam Hendricks, it’s a direct assault on all actions, organizations and individuals advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in South Africa. We name on the South African Police Providers and all legislation enforcement businesses to strengthen their investigation, and monitor the individuals accountable, for justice to prevail,” mentioned Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister for Girls, Youth and Individuals with Disabilities.
In 1996, Hendricks turned the primary imam on this planet to return out as homosexual, nonetheless, he was faraway from his place after popping out. He was the founding father of the Interior Circle, a world Muslim neighborhood advocating for a society free from discrimination based mostly on faith, sexual orientation and gender id. He additionally established the LGBTQ-inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque and led the Al-Ghurbaah Basis, which supplies psycho-spiritual and social assist to Muslims marginalized resulting from sexual orientation, gender id, and perception.
“Could Allah grant Imam Hendriks jannah. You’ve been an amazing instructor, human and spiritual mentor. A fantastic father and a guardian of many, proceed resting with angels,” mentioned the Al-Ghurbaah Basis.
As well as, Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM), mentioned Hendricks performed a pivotal position in uniting Muslims no matter their sexual orientation and was a gallant fighter within the struggle in opposition to LGBTQ discrimination.
“IAM first had the pleasure of working with Muhsin throughout his tenure as founder and govt director of the Interior Circle, South Africa’s first queer mosque. Later, by the Al-Ghurbaah Basis, the Queer Interfaith Collective and different civil society pushed platforms,” mentioned IAM. “Muhsin’s journey with IAM turned a longstanding and fruitful one, and so we be part of multitudes in deeply mourning the passing of a religion chief who has fiercely but gently championed and guarded LGBTIQ+ rights in South Africa, but in addition for Muslims internationally.”
Moreover, IAM mentioned their quest was to make sure Hendricks’s imaginative and prescient outlives him and continues to be an inspiration and shining beacon, “Even in his dying, we rejoice Imam Muhsin for his tireless contribution to constructing inclusive and affirming communities of religion, which he was dedicated to doing till his final breath. Could his imaginative and prescient to see an Islam that’s inclusive and compassion-centred outlive him, and proceed to liberate individuals from all walks of life.”
Moreso, the International Interfaith Community (GIN) mentioned the tragic dying of Hendricks was an immeasurable loss to the worldwide Muslim neighborhood, interfaith allies, and human rights defenders.
“Imam Muhsin was greater than only a spiritual chief, he was a pioneer, a visionary, and a beacon of hope for numerous marginalized Muslims worldwide. As the primary overtly homosexual Imam, he fearlessly championed an all-inclusive, compassion-centered Islam, dedicating his life to creating protected areas for queer Muslims, advocating for justice, and redefining religion as a supply of therapeutic reasonably than hurt,” mentioned GIN.
As well as GIN mentioned regardless of experiencing huge resistance from the Muslim neighborhood, he remained resolute in direction of the struggle for a simply society not solely in South Africa however all through the continent and the world at giant.
“He performed a pivotal position in shaping interfaith advocacy that upholds the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals of religion, guaranteeing their voices are heard and revered on international platforms. His passing is an immeasurable loss to the worldwide Muslim neighborhood, interfaith allies, and human rights defenders all over the place. His legacy is not going to be erased, it should stay on within the hearts and actions of those that proceed his mission,” added GIN.
Based on Pan Africa Ilga (PAI), the homicide of Hendricks is a stark reminder of the horrifying and harrowing on a regular basis experiences of the LGBTQ neighborhood in Africa.
“His homicide underscores the violent actuality that many LGBTIQ+ people, notably these in religion communities, proceed to face. Throughout Africa, spiritual fundamentalism is more and more being weaponized to justify discrimination and hurt in opposition to LGBTIQ+ individuals. The lack of Imam Hendricks is not only a loss for the Muslim LGBTIQ+ neighborhood, however for all those that imagine in justice, dignity, and the suitable to exist freely,” mentioned Arlana Shikongo, PAI’s communications officer.
Moreover, Julia Ehrt, govt director for ILGA World, mentioned they’ve misplaced a peacemaker, a bridge builder and somebody who set an instance showcasing that reconciliation is feasible as evidenced by his endurance and perseverance.
“He supported and mentored so many individuals in South Africa and world wide of their journey to reconcile with their religion, and his life has been a testomony to the therapeutic that solidarity throughout communities can usher in everybody’s lives. We name on authorities to totally examine what we worry could also be a hate crime,” mentioned Ehrt.
South Africa is essentially the most liberal nation in Africa with regards to the safety and recognition of LGBTQ rights. Nevertheless, resulting from spiritual and cultural norms, the LGBTQ neighborhood is usually ostracized with little to no repercussions for the perpetrators.
