Muslims across social media have vehemently condemned the recent statements made by Muhsin Hendricks, an openly queer Imam who claims that Islam does not oppose homosexuality.
Hendricks, who became the world’s first openly queer Imam in the late 1990s and is known for his activism in creating the first LGBTQ+ friendly mosque in South Africa, posted a video in which he controversially argued that Islam is not against homosexuality. The video quickly sparked outrage among Muslims online, with many terming his views as un-Islamic and accusing him of spreading confusion.
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Hendricks, a well-known figure in the LGBTQ+ Muslim community, has spent over two decades working to reconcile the Islamic faith with queer identities. However, his latest comments were met with intense backlash from a wide segment of the Muslim community, who rejected his claims as contrary to the teachings of Islam. Many labeled his statements as “satanic,” and some demanded that he cease spreading “false” interpretations of the Quran.
The video, in which Hendricks asserts that Islam does not condemn same-sex relationships, has ignited a fierce debate online. Critics have flooded the comments section, denouncing his words with phrases like “This is not Islam” and “Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah).” Several users pointed out the incompatibility of Hendricks’ views with traditional Islamic beliefs, emphasizing that the Quran and Hadiths prohibit homosexuality. One comment harshly called Hendricks an “Imam of Satan” and accused him of manipulating Islamic teachings to suit his agenda.
