The Echoing Green community is mourning the loss of an incredible leader, advocate, and human being. Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a 2006 Echoing Green Fellow, was senselessly killed in South Africa on February 15 by masked gunmen. Widely known as the world’s first openly gay imam, Muhsin worked tirelessly to create inclusive faith communities.

As we process the shock, grief, and outrage of this incomprehensible tragedy, one thing is already clear–Muhsin’s vision for a just and inclusive society will live on. As the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation (AGF) noted, “Imam Muhsin dedicated his life to fostering inclusive spaces, advocating for marginalized communities, and promoting interfaith dialogue. His work will not end with his passing.”

For those of us at Echoing Green and for countless others around the world, he remains an inspiration and an inextinguishable beacon of hope. His legacy is a testament to the power one courageous person can have to ignite change at a scale far beyond their immediate work. Sasha Chanoff, who met Muhsin as a member of the same Fellow cohort, put it beautifully: “For me, he was like a key that unlocked a deeper understanding of humanity.”

Please join us in honoring Muhsin’s legacy by carrying on his vision and, if you’re in a position to do so, donating to AGF. A more compassionate world is possible if, together, we stand up against hatred and violence.