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.
Members of the CTII attended a weekend workshop called “Joy Of Living” featuring the teachings of Tibetan meditation master Mingyur Rinpoche. It was held at the Michael Oak Waldorf School in preparation for the visit to South Africa by Mingyur between August 27 and September 10 2025.
Taught by Nepal-/Costa Rica-based George Hughes of Tergar, the global community supporting the teachings, the workshop was a great success. George, (with video recordings from Rinpoche) focused on awareness in a very practical manner.
Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) is appalled by an incident of religious extremism in Burkina Faso on 11 January which resulted in the execution of nine senior members of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at in Mahdiabad, Burkina Faso.
Imam Bidiga Boureima and eight elders were amongst their community preparing for Isha prayers when their mosque was invaded by extremists declaring the Ahmadis to be infidels. Imam Boureima was taken to another venue where he was questioned about other Ahmadiyya communities in Burkina Faso. He was then taken back to his mosque where he and the elders were threatened with death unless they renounced Ahmadiyyat. The Imam refused, and was executed. One by one, the elders also refused to renounce their religion and were executed. We understand that following further threats, more than 600 community members fled the village.
Our hearts share the grief of the Ahmadii community worldwide, and we denounce religious persecution in all forms. None of our religions call us to hate, and all of our religions promote peace, tolerance and compassion.
We further declare our abhorrence of violent extremism in any form.
Cape Town Interfaith Initiative stands with our colleagues at the Ahmadiyya Jama’at of South Africa at this tragic time. We redouble our efforts to bring about religious understanding through dialogue, through our Interfaith/Intercultural Schools Programme and through continually bringing together people of diverse religions to pray and take action together for the greater good.
This horrific atrocity highlights the need for communities of diverse religions to protect one another by building community and personal relationships that unite us all as a human race, no matter which religion we choose to follow. Religious freedom is a constitutionally protected right which we are committed to upholding.
All crises and tragedies have a hidden potential for us to learn. May we as humanity, and as Africans, explore the timeless ethos of Ubuntu, in which all our divisions are shown to be ultimately illusory.
We call on all religious communities to redouble their efforts at seeking larger circles of inclusion and peace, both within their own traditions as well as beyond them.
CTII adheres to the principles of the Charter for Compassion which states: “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves”.
When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free. – Nelson Mandela
From 1 – 7 January each year, a global event takes place called 7 Days of Rest. This year, under the theme of Sacred Renewal, we spoke to seven of our members and friends of interfaith, and asked them to share with us their secrets to sacred renewal, intention setting and deepening understanding of what this time of year symbolises. You can watch our videos here to learn more about the perspectives on faith and practices of our diverse members. We spoke to
1: Cecil Plaatjies, Nichiren Buddhist (Rebirthing)
2. Rev Laurie Gaum, Queer Activist (Nourishing)
3. Bishop Yvette Moses, Methodist Church (Cultivating)
4. Rev/Ven Nima Taylor, Unitarian (Communing)
5. Bishop Thembekile Gqwaka,United Methodist and African Traditional (Sharing)
6. Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, Temple Israel Progressive Jewish Community (Valuing)
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.
