*Imam- leader of prayers in mosques.

In 1996, Mushin Hendricks became the first imam in the world to come out as gay. Hendricks founded the
Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Cape Town and worked there as the executive director. This is a human rights organization that provides support to ‘Queer Muslims’.
They help them to reconcile Islam with their sexual orientation and gender identity. Hendricks and his organization openly have very supportive views on
same- sex relationships.

Hendricks was shot dead last week, when two unknown suspects ambushed his vehicle and fired multiple shots. Police and the people of South Africa are fearing this incident could be a hate crime.
South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development pledge to ‘track and monitor that justice is dispensed’ after this horrifying incident.
The Democratic Alliance recently released a statement stating, ‘the nature of the killing strongly suggests a professional hit’.

This hate crime is a scream for help. Our society is still incredibly hateful of different views or opinions from their own. Hendricks was an incredibly brave man and put his views out there so that others would feel more comfortable.