Moegsien Hendricks, recognized as the world’s first openly gay imam, was shot and killed in Bethelsdorp, Eastern Cape, South Africa, on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Hendricks was reportedly in the area to officiate a wedding between a lesbian couple when he was attacked near the city of Gqeberha.
According to a Facebook post by Rif’at Brower, local religious leaders had refused to conduct the ceremony, prompting the couple to invite Hendricks from Cape Town.
“Naadirah Abader’s daughter was getting married to another female non-Muslim. Sheikh Mukhtar of Port Elizabeth refused to officiate the wedding, stating that no imam in PE would do so,” Brower wrote.
“The couple then sought out Moegsien Hendricks, but he was shot and killed at the wedding.”
South African police confirmed the incident but said the motive for the killing remains unclear.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, detailed the circumstances surrounding the attack:
“At approximately 10 a.m., Hendricks and his driver were inside a gold-colored VW T-Roc in Haley Place, Extension 24, when a silver-colored Hilux double cab blocked their vehicle. Two masked suspects exited the Hilux and fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene. Hendricks, who was seated at the back, was fatally shot.”
Authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.
Hendricks made history in 1996 when he publicly came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay imam. He led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Wynberg, a mosque and support organization for LGBTQI+ Muslims. The foundation provided guidance on reconciling faith with sexuality.
In a video posted on January 17, Hendricks sang in Arabic: “You won’t be able to forget me.”
His death has sparked widespread reactions, with calls for justice and concerns over rising homophobic violence.
