The leader of the Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque in Cape Town was ambushed and shot dead near Gqeberha on Saturday. According to police, a vehicle blocked his path before two masked gunmen opened fire on his car multiple times. CCTV footage shows an attacker specifically targeting the rear passenger seat.

There are unconfirmed reports that Hendricks had officiated a lesbian wedding shortly before the attack.

His violent death has sparked global outrage. Julia Ehrt of ILGA highlighted his impact: “He helped many reconcile faith and identity. His life proved the power of solidarity,” she said.

Hendricks was a pioneer in challenging conservative Islamic views on homosexuality. After coming out in 1996, he founded The Inner Circle, an organisation supporting LGBTQ+ Muslims, and later established his inclusive mosque. Despite South Africa’s progressive laws, violence against LGBTQ+ individuals remains a harsh reality. In an interview for the documentary The Radical (2022), Hendricks said: “Being authentic mattered more than fear of death.”

Tributes have poured in since his passing. Reverend Jide Macaulay called his death “heartbreaking,” while Nigerian activist Sadiq Lawal praised him for making “the impossible possible.”

Authorities are investigating, but no arrests have been made.