A Tribute to Muhsin Hendricks: A Life of Courage, Compassion, and Friendship
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Translation: Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return.
One of the world’s first openly gay imams, Muhsin Hendricks has died.
He was born in 1967 and lived in South Africa for most of his life, apart from his time at the Islamic University in Karachi (1990–1994). He married in 1991 and had three children. He came out as a gay man in 1996, and his marriage dissolved shortly after.
He wasted no time. He came out to his family, and in the same year, Imam Hendricks founded The Inner Circle, later known as the Al-Fitrah Foundation, to support LGBTQ+ Muslims in reconciling their faith with their sexual orientation. He had been a vocal advocate for inclusive interpretations of Islamic texts, challenging traditional views on homosexuality within Islam. In 2011, he established Masjidul Ghurbaah, an inclusive mosque in Cape Town, under the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation.
The Imam had received death threats over the years and was frequently criticized by conservative factions of the community for preaching a queer-affirming interpretation of Islam.
On February 15, 2025, Muhsin was in the back seat of a vehicle in the Eastern Cape when he was fatally shot. He was on his way to officiate an interfaith wedding.
I first met Muhsin Hendricks at the AIR 2016 (Annual International Retreat) in the Western Cape (Cape Town/Stellenbosch), a moment that would mark the beginning of a meaningful friendship. Muhsin was not just a trailblazer in reconciling faith and queerness; he was a deeply kind and generous soul who carried the burdens of many while making space for their joy.
Our shared work through the Global Queer Muslim Network (GQMN) in Brussels in late 2016 and early 2017 strengthened my admiration for him. Our network focused on creating relationships and resources to support LGBTQ+ Muslims to find connection, healing, and empowerment. Muhsin approached this work not just as an activist but as a spiritual leader who understood that faith and identity are not contradictions but sources of profound personal and communal strength. His ability to weave Islamic teachings with lived experiences gave countless people the courage to exist as their full, authentic selves.
In Oct 2021, while I was living in South Africa, we met for lunch in Cape Town and reflected on the rise and fall of The Inner Circle; we had a heart-to-heart about the politics of community organizing and the sometimes unpleasant spotlight that shines on our mistakes. We talked about what accountability in our communities can look like when mistakes are made. We also cackled about the silly diet he was on and his debut as a TikTok Bollywood star. He asked me, “Rahim, what do you do for your spiritual health?” And I said, “Nothing. I’m hanging out with you! It’s enough, no?” We laughed some more.
In May 2022, we organized an informal gathering called Koffie Moffies — a playful, affirming space for LGBTQ+ Muslims to meet, share, and simply be. I shared some of the resources we developed through Salaam Canada and he was excited to make use of them in his work with the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation.
That same year, I had the privilege of moderating the Q&A for the release of his film, The Radical. One line from the film, spoken by Muhsin, lingers in my mind:
The heart is not big enough to contain both fear and faith.
These words were not just a sentiment; they were the way he lived his life. He chose faith over fear, love over silence, and community over isolation. He walked a path that few had dared to tread before, knowing full well the risks. And yet, he kept moving forward, not for himself alone, but for every queer Muslim searching for a way to belong.
Muhsin was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. He wrote the foreword for an upcoming book I co-edited with Maryam Khan, a final act of generosity that speaks to the way he uplifted others at every opportunity. His words, like his presence, were a gift — one that will continue to guide and inspire.
His legacy is one of fearless authenticity, of a love that transcends borders, and of faith that remains unshaken in the face of oppression. The world has lost a visionary, but his work, his spirit, and the communities he nurtured will endure.
Rest in power, dear friend. The impact of your compassion and your work will live on in the hearts of many.
This essay was first published on Medium on February 15, 2025.
