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Muslim gay preacher killed after officiating lesbian marriage
Imam Muhsin Hendricks, described as the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa.
The 57-year-old cleric, who led a Cape Town mosque known for welcoming LGBTQ+ and marginalised Muslims, was ambushed near the southern city of Gqeberha.
As reported by the BBC on Sunday, South African police said two masked gunmen fired multiple shots at the vehicle in which Hendricks was a backseat passenger.
Security footage shared widely on social media, captured the moment a car blocked Hendricks’ vehicle before an assailant jumped out and repeatedly fired through the back window.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement.
The Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which runs the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town’s Wynberg suburb, confirmed the imam’s death in what it called a targeted attack.
BBC reports that the foundation’s board chair, Abdulmugheeth Petersen, urged the public to respect Hendricks’ family’s privacy as they grieved.
Reports suggest Hendricks was killed after officiating a lesbian wedding, though police have not confirmed this detail.
The news sparked an outpouring of tributes from the LGBTQ+ community.
The executive director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Julia Ehrt, expressed grief and urged a full investigation into what may have been a “hate crime.”
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“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,” she said.
Hendricks, who came out as gay in 1996, faced significant backlash within South Africa’s Muslim community.
That same year, he founded The Inner Circle, a support organisation for queer Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith and identity.
He later established the inclusive mosque, Masjidul Ghurbaah.
South Africa is the first African country to legalise same-sex marriage.
The country also has constitutional protections for sexual orientation but still records widespread anti-LGBTQ+ violence.
A British-Nigerian LGBTQ activist and openly gay Anglican minister, Reverend Jide Macaulay, called Hendricks’ death “heartbreaking.”
“Your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to inclusive faith communities have left an indelible mark,” he said.
Hendricks was the subject of a 2022 documentary, The Radical, where he reflected on the death threats he faced.
“The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die,” he said.
Okiki Adeduyite
Okiki is a journalist with over seven years experience covering politics, foreign news, society, entertainment and the film industry.
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Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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