As CLGS mourns the recent and horrific assassination of Imam Muhsin Hendricks (1967-2025), we are grateful for his work in the world as a scholar, a religious leader, and an activist for all people, including LGBTQ+ persons.

On 6 December 2023, we were honored to host Imam Hendricks for a CLGS Lavender Lunch, and we invite you to view a video recording of that event, which was coordinated by Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Managing Director of the Center in 2023.

We also invite you to read Rev. Roland’s reflection below.

May God, the Ever Compassionate One, welcome Imam Muhsin Hendricks into Paradise.

Bernard Schlager, PhD | Executive Director

18 February 2025

Imam Muhsin Hendricks: Pure Light is Never Extinguished

My last conversation with Brother Muhsin took place on January 23 of this year.  We discussed his work with Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, an organization that supports the LGBTQ community of faith and combats homophobia and transphobia on the African continent. Muhsin had a courage of steel and a deep love for humanity.

I was so honored when I was able to book him for a discussion on Queer Muslim Organizing for CLGS.  Proudly wearing the title of “the world’s first openly gay imam,” Muhsin shared his coming out story, his study and love for the Koran, and his life-saving work of counseling women and men of the Islamic religion working towards integration of their faith and sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

During our interview, I asked Muhsin about the safety risks of his courageous work within an Islamic context. He was realistic about the danger he was constantly in; however, he answered to a higher calling to help both those who identified as LGBTQ as well as those who held opposing views to his message of inclusion.  He was a free man, and he desired to see others set free as well.  To hear that hatred from others ended his life is incredibly tragic.  I do hope that Muhsin and his family receive the justice that they deserve.

I am going to deeply miss my friend, and I know that the world has lost a great light.  However, through his advocacy work, writings, lectures, and the lives of his children (both biological and chosen), Muhsin’s light can never be extinguished.  He was connected to the ultimate source of pure light, and now that source has reclaimed him.  May his light, life, and love be remembered and shared broadly.

A great way to honor his work and legacy is to donate to the outreach of Al-Ghurbaah Foundation; click here to access the Foundation’s website.

Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow