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Tragic Loss: First Openly Gay Muslim Imam Killed in South Africa

In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through communities worldwide, Muhsin Hendricks, the first openly gay Muslim imam, was fatally shot in South Africa. The incident occurred on Saturday in the city of Gqeberha, where Hendricks was ambushed by two men in a pick-up truck. The attackers, whose faces were covered, fired multiple shots through the side window of Hendricks' car. Hendricks was renowned for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion within Islam. He founded a mosque in Cape Town that welcomed gay Muslims and worked tirelessly through his Al-Ghurbaab Foundation to support and mentor individuals struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation. His efforts made him a prominent figure internationally, and he was a speaker at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s conference in South Africa last year. The motive for the killing has not been established, but many believe it was an assassination due to Hendricks' progres...

Sunak Cancels Meeting with Mitsotakis over Parthenon Marbles Dispute

 

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called off a planned meeting with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis over a disagreement about the ownership of the Parthenon marbles, also known as the Elgin marbles. The ancient sculptures, which were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, are currently displayed in the British Museum in London. Greece has long demanded their return, claiming they are part of its cultural heritage and national identity.

The meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled after Mitsotakis made a remark in a BBC interview on Sunday, comparing the situation to cutting the Mona Lisa in half and displaying it in two different museums. Sunak was reportedly annoyed by the comment, which he saw as disrespectful and provocative. A senior Conservative Party source said that the meeting became impossible due to the commentary regarding the historical antiquities.

Mitsotakis expressed his disappointment in a statement on Monday night, saying that he was hoping to discuss the issue with Sunak, as well as other global challenges such as Gaza, Ukraine, climate crisis, and migration. He added that those who believe in the accuracy of their positions should not be afraid of hearing opposing points of view. He also reiterated that the matter does not concern the British government, but the British Museum.

The Parthenon marbles dispute has been a source of tension between the two countries for decades, and has recently gained more attention due to the opening of a new museum in Athens, the Acropolis Museum, which has a dedicated space for the missing sculptures. The British Museum has maintained that the marbles were legally acquired by Lord Elgin and that they are better preserved and more accessible in London. However, Greece argues that the marbles were taken without proper consent and that they belong to the Parthenon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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