Even in the last few seconds of his life, the first gay imam pushed the boundaries

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Even in the last few seconds of his life, the first gay imam pushed the boundaries

In South Africa, the open executions and killings of Muhsin Hendricks have put people in fear of the LGBTQ+ community – but are also determined to end their marginalization in religious circles.

Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe, an openly gay Christian pastor, told the BBC that Hendricks is a “gentle spirit” that brings light Enter any room he occupied.

“The leaves of the Muhsing leaf are huge,” she told the BBC. She knew that she knew the fact that “there are many queer Muslims around the world who feel sad.”

The 57-year-old was shot dead after being hit in the small coastal city of Gqeberha on Saturday.

The initial report said Cape Town-based Hendricks held a gay couple's wedding in Gqeberha, which was dismissed by his Al-Gurbaah Foundation.

“He is visiting Gqeberha, and presided over the marriage of two trans heterosexual couples when he was unfortunately shot,” it said in a statement.

It is unclear why the couple asked Hendricks to oversee their rituals, but it shows that he was pushing the boundaries even in the last few seconds of his life.

There are few (if any) traditional imams in South Africa's marriages to Muslims and non-Muslims – Hendrix obviously has no problem.

According to the faith leader he spoke to, he held one such marriage ceremony and was performing the next one when he was shot.

South Africa has a thriving LGBTQ+ community, becoming the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006 [AFP]

Two main bodies representing Imams – the Muslim Judicial Commission (MJC) and the United Urama Commission of South Africa (UUCSA) – condemn Hendrix's killings.

“As a member of a democratic, diverse society, the MJC still firmly advocates for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, even in different perspectives,” MJC said, while UUCSA said it condemned “all forms of diplomacy.” Killing.”

However, Hendricks conducted Islamic studies in Pakistan – a pariah in their circle because they believed that same-sex relations were forbidden.

They pointed out that he called him “Mr. Hendrix” rather than a religious champion like the Imam or the Chief.

Hendricks supporters, by contrast, praised him as the world's first publicly gay imam, who had the potential to reconcile their sexual behavior with Islamic beliefs.

It’s no surprise that he was a great pioneer – the South African constitution, passed in 1996 after the end of the white minority rule, was the first person in the world to protect people from discrimination from sexual orientation.

Then in 2006, South Africa became the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage.

Hendricks appeared in gay in 1996 in a heterosexual marriage to his children—according to the conversation, he later broke another taboo by marrying a Hindu man.

He then formed the inner circle into an “underground society and support group” for queer Muslims.

It began with his home in Cape Town, “it proved to be very successful in helping strange Muslims reconcile with their sexual behaviors”.

Despite a thriving LGBTQ+ scenario in South Africa, members of the community still face some stigma and violence.

Muslim woman in turban stands in succession while praying near Johannesburg, South Africa — Most religious groups in South Africa have shunned their understanding of homosexual unions [AFP]

Only a few religious groups in the country have adopted policies that are more beneficial to the community, including the Dutch Reformed Church and the Southern African Methodist Church.

The Dutch Reformed Church was forced by the court in 2019 to restore a policy introduced four years ago, but was subsequently abandoned, allowing same-sex marriage, homosexual and lesbian pastors to maintain romantic relationships.

The following year, the Methodist Church said that while “it is not ready to apply for its minister to preside over the ceremony in same-sex marriages”, in a member state that recognizes the civil union, no citizen will be blocked from entering such marriage unions. or a partner of the opposite sex”.

Pastor Ecclesia de Lange, Director of the Department of Inclusion and Affirmation (IAM), told the BBC that there are still “very strong pockets of conservativeism” even when faith groups adopt inclusive policies.

“The traditional interpretation of the divine text continues to exclude LGBTQ+ people, so the struggle for acceptance within the faith community is still underway,” she said.

Dr. Fatima Essop, senior lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of South Africa’s Western Cape, reflects the “dismay” sulfuric acid content circulating on social media by the Hendricks murder.

“I just found it totally shocking, so far, far from our Islamic traditions, it's all about compassion, compassion and the protection of human life,” she told the BBC.

Dr. Essop added that although she understood some of the strong emotions about Hendrix’s work, there was “absolutely no reason, Islam or otherwise, because there was no reason for this violence”.

Dr. Ethop said that although the motive is unclear, Hendrick's killing and subsequent negative comments may scare people to “talk about their sexuality or sexual orientation.”

Pastor Kruger Yebazbwee said that while the shooting of Hendrix would cause LGBTQ+ leaders to rethink their safety, it would not stop them from running for change because the work is too important.” .

Hendricks has been buried in a private ceremony, although his Al-Gurbaah Foundation has promised to organize a memorial in the near future to “remember his great contribution.”

For Teboho Klaas, a religious program official at another foundation, a religious program official who advocates LGBTQ+ rights in southern Africa, his killer may have shortened his life.