Cecil Plaatjies Cape Town activities, Tribute

Muhsin Hendricks: From fear to love

On Sunday 15 February 2026 we took part in a memorial service for the slain Imam Muhsin Hendricks. It was a bittersweet day as we remembered the brutal manner in which his life ended, the unsolved murder case, and celebrated his life, lived beautifully. Sadness flowed freely with gratitude, as did mourning and resolute determination to do good.

Rev Laurie Gaum with Dean Terry Lester

Dean Terry Lester opened the event at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. Rev. Laurie Gaum from CTII (& The Queer Faith Collective & Genderworx) did a stunning job as the MC.

The event opened with a Dhikr ceremony (remembrance) led by Ziyaad Follentine, on a big prayer carpet in front of the altar steps.

The Dhikr

Key organising partners were Muhsin’s Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, The Queer Faith Collective, and the CTII.

Words of support from different parts of the country and from abroad were shared, including the USA, Kenya, Canada, the UK, and Germany.

The Heindrich Böll Foundation, the Global Interfaith Network (GIN-SSIGIE), LGBTQIA Traditional Healers Forum, and SA Jews for a Free Palestine, and Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM) also made heartfelt offerings. All presences both in person and by video or remotely were appreciated.

Ven. Rev. Nima Taylor from the Unitarian Church and CTII closed, shared her experience of Muhsin, recalling his deep humanity. And his style.

I was particularly touched by a poem, “My Dua is Love” by Sanah Ahsan, a published poet from the UK.

Poet Sanah Ahsan

The CTII Choir performed between the talks. Their first song was beautifully introduced by Anouschka, a member of the CTII Schools Programme.

Jody and Anouschka of CTII Youth Program

The audience immediately paid attention when the choir started with La ilaha ilalah. Many left their seats to get closer to the choir. The same happened during the performance of the other three songs.

CTII Community Choir

We appreciated all who attended. The event was livestreamed and is available on YouTube.

We are saddened that only a few people from the Muslim community attended. There was a complete absence of progressive Muslim leaders and activists, who are CTII members and interfaith partners. This was an opportunity to stand up for justice, stand against crime, uphold human dignity and remember one of our own, that was missed.

We have immense compassion for those who cannot transcend their differences in order to stand for what is right, and will continue to create spaces for everyone to be spiritually free.

After the service, a protest was held presenting a memorandum to the South African Police Services and placing an effigy representing Muhsin and the absence of closure for us all, in front of the police station.

Justice for imam Muhsin Hendricks!

Nic Paton Announcements, News Article, Tribute

Queer Imam Muhsin Hendricks murdered.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks, the openly gay Islamic leader based in Cape Town, was assassinated on the 15th February 2025 by masked assailants in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), reportedly as he prepared to officiate at a gay wedding in an Islamic context. Details are still unclear, and no-one has at present or been identified or claimed responsibility.

Muhsin was a friend of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, and a brave and compassionate human being. He led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation (denoting in Arabic the “strange or weird”), a shelter for LGBTQIA+ refugees from harsh orthodoxies.

Muhsin Hendricks (left in black cap) leads a meditation during a CTII interfaith hike.

While Muhsin’s murder is devastating, it is unsurprizing. This comes at a time when the worst of us is being emboldened by the new demagoguery, which does what it likes decisively and thinks itself righteous.

Mushin’s assassination raises difficult questions for Interfaith and its dialogue, around questions of inclusivity and the morality of so-called “outsiders” to faith orthodoxies.

His story is told in the 2022 documentary film, The Radical. As the subtitle suggests, he chose faith over fear:

Brother Muhsin, we salute your contribution to creating a more compassionate world.

May you rest in Peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

Sarah Oliver Tribute

A tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

If ever there was a reason for our country to unite in compassion, it lies in the life and spiritual leadership of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu who has died on 26 December 2021 at the age of 90.

The Arch, as he remains affectionately known, was closely allied to Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, particularly in our promotion of the Charter for Compassion. He was an integral part of the birth of the Charter for Compassion when, in 2008, he participated in the milestone “Seeds of the Compassion” event alongside the Dalai Lama and Charter for Compassion founder Karen Armstrong.

In 2010, when CTII celebrated its 10th birthday by launching the newly established Charter for Compassion in Cape Town, The Arch was the guest of honour.

CTII’s 10th Anniversary was also marked by the publication of a booklet, The Dignity of Difference. In his message published in the booklet the Arch wrote: “How we love to separate and divide – whether it is class, colour or creed. We in the monotheistic religions have not done well in affirming that God is one and everything and everyone bears the divine image – a sure sign of the unity within the diversity.”

Even for those who never met the famous Nobel Laureate, his impact on our world and on our thinking has been profound. His clear and decisive spiritual leadership has helped us navigate the often turbulent path from the inter-cultural fear and separation of the apartheid era to a place of progressive reconnection through the cathartic process of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Archbishop Emeritus Tutu showed us how to show up, fearlessly speaking truth to power through two very different governments, and somehow always maintaining his special brand of humour, grace and compassion within the demands of a world at odds with itself. He always said that daily spiritual practice was foundational to his life and leadership, and his deep reverence for the Divine in all its forms was evident in his authentic and deep relationships with world leaders of diverse spiritual paths, most notably HH the Dalai Lama.

We at CTII will always remember the Arch’s authenticity, curiosity and humble servant leadership. We will continue in his blessed memory to promote the Charter for Compassion that was so dear to his heart. We will continue the critical conversations between people of diverse faiths, to learn from and be enriched by each other, seeking always a more inclusive, kinder world for the benefit of all.

We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Nomalizo Leah and to his children Trevor Tamsanqa, Thandeka, Nontombi and Mpho Tutu van Furth, and all of their families.

We include the Arch’s many friends and loved ones across the globe in our prayers.  His love for humanity made him a universally loved man, a statesman and a force for justice, compassion and peace.

The significance of a life lies in the way it inspires transformation in behaviour and thought. In his memory, we invite you to join us in a renewed commitment to Compassion. You can sign on to the Charter for Compassion at this link, and leave a tribute or message of condolences here.

May he rest in peace and rise in Glory.

https://charterforcompassion.org/