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The world's first openly gay imam was gunned down in broad daylight.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks, 57, was brutally murdered by two unidentified gunmen in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 15.

CCTV footage shows the victim inside a Volkswagen T-Roc SUV, manoeuvring out of a parking space when he was ambushed.

One of the masked suspects can be seen stepping out of a Toyota Hilux before firing multiple shots through the vehicle's side window, fatally striking the religious leader.

The gunman then runs back to the pickup truck, which quickly turns around and speeds away.

The victim reportedly died on the spot.

The queer imam revealed his sexual orientation in 1996 and had been active in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in the Muslim community.

He reportedly founded the Al-Ghurbaah mosque in Wynberg, Cape Town.

The mosque, according to its website, 'provides a safe space for queer Muslims and marginalized women to practice Islam.'

The Eastern Cape Police said: 'Two masked men got out and fired several shots into the car.

'They then fled the scene, and the driver of the vehicle saw that Hendricks, who was sitting in the backseat, had been shot dead.'

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association condemned the killing.

The Executive Director, Julia Ehrt said, in a statement: 'The ILGA World family is deeply shocked by the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks and calls on the authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime.

'Today, our movement has lost a peacemaker and bridge builder, someone who showed through his courage and faith that reconciliation is possible.'

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) have called on the public to let the South African police investigate the murder.

The MJC said: 'The MJC calls upon the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into this matter ensuring that those responsible are held accountable through due process.

'We urge the public to cooperate with law enforcement and to respect the legal mechanism of the state as the investigation unfolds.'

Homosexuality in Islam is considered forbidden due to interpretations of its religious texts, particularly the Quran and Hadith.