India, Feb. 16 -- Muhsin Hendricks, who was considered as the world's "first openly gay imam", was shot dead close to Gqeberha city in South Africa on Saturday.

"Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle," the Eastern Cape force said in a statement as quoted by The Guardian.

"Thereafter they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed," the force said.

The imam ran a mosque which acted as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims.

"The ILGA World family is in deep shock at the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks, and calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may b...