The Second Annual Imam Muhsin Hendricks Memorial Lecture was held at Cape Town's District Six Homecoming Centre on November 10. The event was themed "Living Out the Prophetic: An Ethics of the Estranged" and brought together a diverse group of attendees. The venue holds significance as it preserves the memory of a community devastated by apartheid forced removals and celebrates Kewpie, a legendary District Six hairdresser and performer who documented an important chapter of Cape Town's queer history.
The lecture series was opened by Marlow Valentine, Regional Programme Coordinator at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM). Valentine reminded attendees that remembrance must translate into action, stating that "remembrance, in itself, is not enough." He called for communities to confront injustice and build spaces where everyone can live, love, believe and belong with dignity. The event also featured a handwashing ritual, interfaith prayers, music and spoken-word performances, reflecting the spiritual and cultural dimensions of Hendricks' life and work.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Mujahid Osman from the University of Cape Town's Department of African Feminist Studies. Osman explored Hendricks' legacy through Islamic theology, queer scholarship and the politics of belonging. He remembered Hendricks not only as an openly gay imam but also as a family man, fashion designer, teacher and activist. Osman highlighted Hendricks' emphasis on mercy, compassion and human dignity in his understanding of Islam.
Osman challenged religious institutions to examine how faith can be used to justify exclusion. He delivered a strong message, stating that "it is about refusing to allow sacred forms to bless the violence of exclusion." Osman also addressed Hendricks' murder on February 15, 2025, situating the killing within wider concerns about violence and hostility directed at LGBTQIA+ communities. At the time of the lecture, no suspects had been arrested and the motive remained unknown.
The memorial moved from reflection to accountability during the Call to Justice station, led by Ziyaad from the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation. Ziyaad demanded accountability and sought justice, stating that he would continue contacting the Gqeberha police station for answers. He asserted that the case would not be allowed to "disappear into silence." The event also featured prayers led by representatives from various faith traditions, reflecting the interfaith solidarity Hendricks championed through his involvement in the Cape Town Queer Interfaith Collective.
The programme included music and spoken-word contributions by Jason Orpheus and Nic, followed by a closing performance from Ecclesia. Towards the end of his keynote, Osman shared a story about an ant travelling towards Mecca despite having a broken leg. The story conveyed a message that Hendricks' legacy cannot survive through remembrance alone but must be carried through accountability, solidarity and the continued fight for a world where nobody has to choose between their faith and their identity.
The event served as a celebration and an act of resistance, as described by facilitator Xena Scullard. The memorial lecture series aims to continue Hendricks' work and promote a world where everyone can live with dignity. The legacy of Imam Muhsin Hendricks continues to inspire and challenge communities to work towards a more inclusive and just society.
Key points
- The memorial lecture series aims to continue Hendricks' work and promote a world where everyone can live with dignity.
