Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org
When Muhsin Hendricks stood before us in Cape Town and introduced himself as the world’s first openly gay Imam, my grieving mind went blank.
Though I was in the picturesque South African city that seemed European than it is African, I was still grieving my mom who had passed in August on the eve of my birthday.
And so when Imam Hendricks stood before us, my mind stopped wandering from the loss of her, and shifted its attention towards him.
Gay. Muslim. And Imam? All in one sentence—It sounded like an oxymoron to me as it did to my colleagues. I have come across acquaintances who are gay and Muslim, but not once did I ever think I’d meet an Imam—an openly gay one, for that matter—whose only interest was to spread love and make a religion of peace inclusive to everyone, including those who are considered as infidels.
The year was 2017. The month was November. And I was selected, following a rigorous application, to be one of the fellows from across the continent for the Religious News Foundation who would be trained in Reporting on Religion, Gender & Sexual Minorities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our trainers, Brian Pellot, Selly ThiamMatambanadzo Matambanadzo(Bella), Dr. Debra L Mason, had arranged a slew of experts, including a Jewish Rabbi, a Sangoma, a biblical expert (Ph.D) amongst others.
One of those experts was Mushin Hendricks.
Imam Hendricks stood before us in a white robe. He could almost pass as Jesus lookalike i.e. if Jesus was the white man we’ve now been brainwashed to believe.
His robes were the whitest I’ve ever seen. He seemed immaculate, and his skin tone complemented his robes. His face was angelic, and his countenance seemed cheerful when he spoke.
His presence, commanding as it was, lit up the room. His voice, soft and angelic, had the keenest of attention.
Imam Hendricks drilled us through the Holy Book of the Quran and what the holy text meant from his perspective.
He further spoke about its intersectionality with queer love which, according to him, was reportedly removed as some pages were from the Christian Bible.
As he spoke, my mind ran to a word my friend, former Minister of Education, George Kronnisanyon Werner, used during a conversation on religion.
Fatwa.
This was my opportunity to use that word.
My hand instantaneously was raised when he wrapped up his presentation.
“Excuse me, Mr. Hendricks,” I recalled saying. “Are you not afraid that a fatwa could be issued on your life for being openly gay?”
He smiled. Staring me deeply eye to eye, he spoke of Allah’s will and Him being the determinant of how His children are returned to Him.
Such a brave man, I thought to myself. Brave, loving, and peaceful–an encapsulation of Imam Mushin Hendricks.
May Allah grant him the Jannatul Firdaus he truly deserves.