The United Ulama Council of South Africa (Uucsa) says that while “Islamic teachings and traditions unequivocally prohibit same-sex relationships”, it “condemns all forms of extrajudicial killings, as they undermine the rule of law and contribute to societal instability.”
Uucsa was responding to the gunning down of the first openly gay imam, Muhsin Hendricks, who died at the hands of masked gunmen in Gqeberha on Saturday.
News24 reports that Hendricks, 58, died in a hail of bullets on Saturday morning, just hours before he was reportedly to have married a lesbian couple.
Hendricks was in the backseat of a parked vehicle in Bethelsdorp when a silver Hilux double-cab bakkie approached, and blocked the roadway, preventing the car carrying the imam from making any escape.
A police statement said: “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the [Hilux double-cab] and started firing multiple shots at the [imam’s] vehicle.”
News of Hendricks’ death sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.
The Global Interfaith Network (GIN) said of Hendricks: “He was a pioneer, a visionary, and a beacon of hope for countless marginalised Muslims worldwide. As the first openly gay imam, he fearlessly championed an all-inclusive, compassion-centred Islam, dedicating his life to creating safe spaces for queer Muslims.”
The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) condemned the murder saying that “while police are still investigating the motive, speculation suggests it may be linked to Hendricks’ views on same-sex relationships”.
“The sanctity of human life is a fundamental tenet of Islam,” the MJC said in a statement.
“We unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community.”
Uucsa called on the public to act responsibly, avoid spreading unverified information, and refrain from making assumptions that had the potential to heighten tension and put others at risk, based on mere suspicion.
[Image: Sabrina_Groeschke from Pixabay]