Imam Moegsien Hendricks, wey be di first openly gay imam, na him dey ground for Eastern Cape, South Africa, on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Di 58-year-old cleric wey dey fight for LGBTQ+ inclusion for Islam, don waka go Bethelsdorp to join two women marry. Wetin suppose be sweet celebration turn wahala wey make community dey mourn, and di whole world dey find answer.
A Wedding, A Murder, A Mystery.
Report show say Hendricks dey on ground to conduct di wedding after local imams for Port Elizabeth no gree marry di couple. Facebook user, Rif’at Brower, talk say di bride’s mama, Naadirah Abader, struggle to find officiant wey fit do di ceremony. When Hendricks come step in, di backlash no take time. For one post wey full with disturbing talk, Brower write: Moegsien don get shot for di wedding. Fasaad don reduce small with him don waka. We no fit allow dis Fasaad (moral corruption against God) and Jahiliah for our community and faith. Di words wey cold na im don raise talk say Hendricks’ murder fit be hate crime—brutal punishment for im progressive view on Islam and LGBTQ+ rights.
How Di Assassination Take Happen.
South African police dey investigate di killing now. Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg talk say Hendricks dey inside gold-colored VW T-Roc when silver Hilux double cab block dem. Two masked gunmen come out, begin shoot, and japa from di scene, leaving di imam dead for di backseat. Police never confirm if di attack na premeditated, but di style wey di killing take happen don make plenty pipo dey wonder if na execution no be random act of violence.
Legacy Wey No Fit Erase
Since him come out for 1996, Hendricks don give him life to build bridge between Islam and LGBTQ+ community. Through Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, him dey provide safe space for queer Muslims, dey challenge religious norms and dey push for inclusivity.
Him mission no be smooth, but him influence dey shine. Even for him last days, e be like say him dey see him own legacy. On January 17, him post video wey him dey sing for Arabic, lyrics wey mean:
“You no go fit forget me.”
Call for Justice
Police dey beg public make dem bring any info wey fit lead to arrest of the suspects. Detective Colonel Dawie Schotz don assure say all tips go dey treated confidential.
As investigation dey go on, one thing clear: Moegsien Hendricks’ fight for equality no go quiet, even for death. Him story don enter history—proof of the power of love, courage, and the price wey some people dey pay for standing up for wetin dem believe in.
