South Africa was rocked over the weekend after news broke of a shooting that has historical significance.

According to the BBC, Muhsin Hendricks, the world's first openly gay imam, was shot dead in an ambush while he was inside of his vehicle. He was 57.

Hendricks was widely known for providing a safe haven in South Africa for gay Muslims.

Authorities could investigate the matter as a hate crime, though police confirmed that the assassination was carried out by two suspects. They reportedly had their faces covered.

What's going on?

Local authorities released limited information regarding Hendricks' murder.

Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle," police said in a statement.

Julia Ehrt, executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), wants the murder to be considered a hate crime.

"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," Ehrt said.

Shocking video footage of the ambush quickly went viral across social media.

BREAKING:

A video has been released of yesterday’s Islamist terror attack in South Africa in which killed the world’s first openly gay imam.

Muhsin Hendricks ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay & marginalised Muslims.

He was murdered in an ambush. pic.twitter.com/obZvM4BzGi

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 16, 2025

Background

Hendricks was a pillar in the Muslim LGBTQ community, and came out as gay in 1996, which at the time was a shocking revelation, to say the least.

The BBC noted:

Hendricks came out as gay in 1996, which shocked the wider Muslim community in Cape Town and elsewhere. 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 would later be the subject of the 2022 documentary "The Radical," in which he was quoted as saying, "The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die."

Many from his community expressed their shock and sorrow on social media after hearing the news.