South African police are close to identifying and arresting suspects over the murder of Muhsin Hendricks, a gay imam who was killed while driving. Hendricks, 57, was shot dead in broad daylight in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The CCTV footage of the incident shows a hooded figure running out of a pick-up truck that was blocking Hendricks’ vehicle and then firing shots through the window. Hendricks was known for his work in creating a safe haven for gay and marginalized Muslims, and his killing has shocked the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said it was too early to determine if the killing was a hate crime, but he praised Hendricks as a “South African that we can all be proud of”. The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and United Ulama Council of South Africa have also condemned the killing, urging calm and respect.
Despite South Africa’s progressive laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, gay people still face discrimination and violence. The country has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Hendricks came out as gay in 1996 and founded an organization providing support for queer Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality.
Hendricks’ killing highlights the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within religious communities, where traditional interpretations often oppose same-sex relations. The incident has sparked a call for interfaith dialogue and addressing mental health issues within these communities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglyl6el10xo