On Saturday, Muhsin Hendricks, popularly known as world’s first openly gay imam, was shot dead at southern city of Gqeberha, South Africa 

Mr Hendricks, 57, runs a mosque in Cape Town regarded as safe place for gay Muslims.

According South African police, the cleric was shot dead in his car by two unknown suspects.

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” the police said in a statement. 

“Thereafter they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed.”

South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), condemned Mr Hendricks’s killing and violence against LGBTQ community, charging the police to arrest his killers. 

“We also express our concern regarding the persistently high levels of violent crime in our nation and appeal to all stakeholders,” the statement reads. “While the MJC has consistently maintained that Muhsin’s position is incompatible with Islamic teachings, we unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community.”

It added, “It has been alleged that the killing may have been motivated by hatred toward Muhsin Hendricks due to his views on same-sex relationships.”