Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneering figure dubbed the world's first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa. The 57-year-old cleric ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims. He was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha was ambushed. The details of the attack emerged through security footage that was shared on social media, showing a car pulling up and blocking the vehicle in which Hendricks was travelling as it was pulling away from the curb.

According to police, the imam was in the back seat when two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle. Hendricks' Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in the Wynberg suburb of Cape Town, confirmed he had died in a targeted attack on Saturday morning. The foundation's board chair, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, appealed via a WhatsApp group for their followers to be patient, stressing the importance of protecting Hendricks' family. Hendricks' work challenged traditional interpretations of Islam and championed a compassionate, inclusive faith that promoted acceptance and understanding.

News of Hendricks' death has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe. Julia Ehrt, executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate "what we fear may be a hate crime". Hendricks was killed after he had reportedly officiated at a lesbian wedding, though this has not been officially confirmed. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is condemning the death of Muhsin Hendricks, labelling it a hate crime that highlights the ongoing discrimination and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa.

The police are still investigating the motive behind the murder, and the public has been urged to come forward with any information that could assist the probe. The killing of Hendricks has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for greater protection and support for the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa. The country has a thriving LGBT community, but gay people still face discrimination and violence, and the murder of Hendricks has highlighted the need for greater action to address these issues. The British-Nigerian LGBTQ rights activist, Reverend Jide Macaulay, described Hendricks' death as "truly heartbreaking" and paid tribute to his bravery and dedication to inclusive faith communities.

The timeline of events surrounding Hendricks' death is as follows: * 1996: Muhsin Hendricks comes out as gay and founds The Inner Circle, an organisation providing support and a safe space for queer Muslims. * 2022: Hendricks is the subject of a documentary called The Radical, in which he speaks about the threats he faces and the importance of interfaith dialogue. * Saturday morning: Hendricks is shot dead in Gqeberha after his car is ambushed by unknown suspects. * Saturday: The police launch an investigation into the murder and appeal for information from the public. * Sunday: Tributes pour in from around the world, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the killing and greater protection for the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa. The killing of Muhsin Hendricks has sparked a global outcry, with many calling for greater action to address the ongoing discrimination and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community.