The 'first openly homosexual imam' in history was shot and killed in South Afric

The 'first openly homosexual imam' in history was shot and killed in South Africa.
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The yearning to be real "was greater than the fear to die," according to Muhsin Hendricks, who came out as gay in 1996.Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazing individual known as the first openly gay imam in history, was shot and killed in South Africa.In Cape Town, the 57-year-old preacher oversaw a mosque designed to provide as a refuge for gay Muslims and other marginalized groups. His car was attacked near the southern city of Gqeberha on Saturday morning, resulting in his death."Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle," police stated in a statement.The LGBTQ+ community has been rocked by the news of Hendricks' passing neighbourhood and beyond, inspiring a flood of international tributes.PromotionInternational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association (Ilga) executive director Julia Ehrt urged the police to look into "what we fear may be a hate crime" in detail."He supported and mentored so many people in South Africa and around the world in their journey to reconcile with their faith, and his life has been a testament to the healing that solidarity across communities can bring in everyone's lives," she stated.The cost of being homosexual in South Africa is being born free and being slain by hate.The volunteers combating crime in South AfricaPromotionAlthough it hasn't been verified, Hendricks was assassinated after allegedly officiating at a homosexual wedding.The attack's specifics surfaced through social media sharing of security footage.The automobile that Hendricks was driving was seen pulling away from the curb when a car pulled up and blocked it. The imam was in the rear seat, authorities said.CCTV film shows what transpired from one side of the road: an attacker leaps from a car, rushes to the vehicle that is being ambushed, and fires repeatedly through the rear passenger window.Hendricks was killed in a targeted attack on Saturday morning, according to the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which is in charge of the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in the Cape Town district of Wynberg.However, the foundation's board chair, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, urged their supporters to exercise patience through a WhatsApp group, emphasizing the significance of safeguarding Hendricks' family.The work of Hendricks contested conventional understandings of Islam and promoted a kind, accepting religion.South Africa became the first nation in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006, and its post-apartheid constitution was the first in the world to protect individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation.However, gay individuals continue to experience violence and discrimination in spite of a vibrant LGBT community. Additionally, the nation has one of the highest rates of homicide worldwide.In 1996, Hendricks came out as gay, shocking the larger Muslim community in Cape Town and beyond.

That same year, he founded The Inner Circle, an organisation providing support and a safe space for queer Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality before going on to establish the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque.
He was the subject of a documentary in 2022 called The Radical, in which he said about the threats he faced: "The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die."
Hendricks often spoke about the importance of interfaith dialogue and the need to address the mental health issues and trauma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within religious communities.
He told the Ilga World Conference in Cape Town last year: "It is important that we stop to look at religion as the enemy."
Reverend Jide Macaulay, an openly gay Anglican minister, described Hendricks' death as "truly heartbreaking".
The British-Nigerian LGBTQ rights activist runs House of Rainbow, an organisation that provides support for gay people in Nigeria where same-sex relationships or public displays of affection are illegal, and paid tribute to Hendricks' bravery.
"Your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to inclusive faith communities have left an indelible mark," he said.
Sadiq Lawal, a gay Muslim man living in Nigeria, told the BBC that Hendricks, had made such an impact as he had made "the impossible possible" by saying the words: "I'm a queer imam."
"He's a mentor to many queer Muslims in Africa, especially in Nigeria, because of religious extremism," he said.
"I'm still in shock and devastated."
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