Imam Muhsin Hendricks Took a Commendable Stand for LGBTQ+ Rights in Islam

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 18 February 2025 Obituary of Muhsin Hendricks champion of queer rights who was brutally assassinated on February 15, 2025 Imam Muhsin Hendricks was a pioneer Islamic scholar and courageous advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Muslim community. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa in June 1967. As the first openly gay imam, he served the world by making life more inclusive and loving for LGBTQ Muslims. His tragic murder on February 15, 2025, in Bethelsdorp, Eastern Cape, has created an enormous void in the international realm of human rights and religious tolerance. Early Life and Education As a child, Hendricks was raised in a devout Muslim home in the Cape Town suburb of Athlone where Islamic tenets were drilled into him at an early age. His descent was Indonesian and Indian, as his ancestors were brought over as political prisoners and slaves to South Africa by the Dutch colonialists over 360 years ago. This diverse cultural upbringing shaped his spiritual evolution and comprehension of Islam. Hendricks studied and completed a degree in classical Arabic and Islamic jurisprudence at the University of Islamic Studies (Jamia Dirasat Al-Islamiyyah), Karachi, Pakistan, from 1990 to 1994. Back in South Africa he became an imam and taught people at local madrasas religious teachings. Internal Battles and Coming Out Hendricks wrestled with his sexual orientation his whole life despite his strong faith; he has said he knew he was different from other boys since childhood. His struggle between his personal identity and the rigid teachings to which he was subjected, though the latter was a part of him, propelled him to discover and accept his own identity. Hendricks bravely embraced being gay in 1996, when he was 29. The revelation was met with mixed reactions; although he received criticism and ostracism from certain segments of the Muslim community, he was also surprised by the outpouring of support, and the number of closeted gay Muslims who contacted him. This touchstone moment galvanized his effort to reconcile his faith and his sexuality and help others facing the same conflict. Founding the Inner Circle After witnessing the struggles of gay Muslims, Hendricks was inspired to come up with the vision of establishing a global Muslim community free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which led to the establishment of The Inner Circle in 1996. The Cape Town-based organization provided education, support, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ Muslims and their allies, exploring gender and sexuality in their work from an Islamic theological perspective. Under his guidance, The Inner Circle created a safe space for marginalized Muslims, providing counselling, workshops, and educational resources. His method was based on compassion and a thorough understanding of the teachings of Islam, which he felt would lead to inclusivity and love if only it were properly interpreted. Advocacy and Global Impact Hendricks’s work was not limited to South Africa. He conducted workshops throughout portions of Africa, meeting with imams and Islamic scholars from Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Ghana. Nawaal, on the other hand, involved herself in these private training sessions dedicated to cultivating a more progressive outlook of Islam as it related to gender identity and sexual orientation. His work was internationally acknowledged. Hendricks was named a Global Fellow in 2006 by the organization that identifies social entrepreneurs, Echoing Green. It was a recognition of his pioneering work on LGBTQ+ issues in the Muslim world. Hendricks also wrote for many publications and directed documentaries like “Fitrah” and “Locked In,” works about the intersection of Islam and sexual diversity. Through his writing and film, he has been powerful in debunking myths and calling for dialogue around these important issues. Trials and Tribulations As Hendricks pursued his path as a Muslim, he experienced strong resistance from conservative elements in the Muslim community. Progressive views have made him and any open discussions of LGBTQ+ rights the subject of hostility. Undeterred by these challenges, however, he persevered in his mission, spurred on by a belief that his work was a divine calling. Hendricks, in an interview, said he has no plans to leave: “My conviction and my necessity for authenticity were stronger than my fear of death. citeturn0search2 This resilience offered comfort to many LGBTQ+ Muslims and spurred a wider movement in pursuit of human rights and religious acceptance. Tragic Demise Hendricks, who officiated a lesbian wedding, was shot dead on February 15, 2025, in Bethelsdorp, Eastern Cape. He was 57 years old. Reports say two masked attackers opened fire on Imran Khan's vehicle before entering a vehicle and escaping. As of Feb. 16, police were investigating the motive for the killing. Until noon of 18 February, no arrest has been made. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) condemned Hendricks’s killing and called on officials to investigate it as a possible hate crime. Meanwhile, the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) and United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) also condemned the killing, saying they could disagree with the views of persons, but would not condone the senseless snuffing out of lives, due to differences in belief or lifestyles. Legacy After years of battling depression, Imam Muhsin Hendricks's life would prove to be a testament to courage, compassion — and unwavering faith. He pushed against widely held beliefs, calling for a more inclusive reading of Islam that welcomed all believers — regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Inner Circle has since become a vital part of the global LGBTQ+ advocacy movement, and his work with the organization and beyond has profoundly impacted the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in faith-based communities around the world. Hendricks’s legacy lives on, empowering immeasurable individuals to authentically be themselves and encouraging us toward a world where faith and identity are inextricably intertwined. While the world mourns his death, it also celebrates the depth of his activism. Imam Muhsin Hendricks was a pioneering Islamic scholar, the world's first openly gay imam, and a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Muslim community, dedicating his life to fostering inclusivity, reconciliation, and religious tolerance. … A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Grace Mubashir is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/imam-muhsin-lgbtq-rights-islam/d/134647 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism