Muhsin Hendricks. Picture: Facebook
The shocking murder of openly gay imam Muhsin Hendricks in Gqeberha, after travelling to officiate a same-sex wedding over the weekend, has sparked outrage and confusion across South Africa.
As the details surrounding the killing remain speculative, the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) has made a firm and public statement condemning the act and calling for respect of the legal process.
In a response to the growing media attention, the CTUB emphasised that, regardless of any differences in religious or ideological views, Hendricks' death was unconstitutional and unequivocally unacceptable.
“We can undoubtedly state that his killing was unconstitutional,” the board declared.
"Islam has and will always have a variety of understandings, some of which may not be accepted by other Muslims. The CTUB, along with the vast majority of South African Muslims, does not align with the views of the deceased. However, no belief or difference in opinion justifies violence."
The statement further addressed the complex intersection of faith, identity, and gender in society, cautioning against conflating the murder with the broader political discourse on Islam and LGBTQ+ issues.
The CTUB pointed out that discussions surrounding Islam and gender are often politically charged and may not reflect the true teachings of Islam. "We must be cautious not to conflate these issues,” they stressed.
The board also took the opportunity to reiterate the Islamic condemnation of violence and the importance of adhering to the rule of law.
“Islamic teachings firmly condemn violence, murder, or actions that undermine the law and destabilise society. Therefore, we urge our communities to allow the law to investigate the incident thoroughly, and through due process, we hope to maintain peace and order,” the CTUB concluded.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
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