The Radical is an intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks – a fashion designer in Cape Town, who became the world’s first openly gay imam, a Muslim religious leader. Despite death threats and opposition, he established the radically-inclusive mosque in South Africa that started the global queer Muslim network. Today, Hendricks leads a devoted group based in a working-class neighbourhood. He decides to take his work to where it is needed most: the East African communities living under anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

This film is adressed to A non-Muslim audience who are interested in human rights / LGBTQ+ issues. They should understand that faith can be far more diverse and peaceful than the news headlines show. Secondly, mainstream Muslims have usually been told that LGBTQ+ issues are haram – forbidden – because they have never been provided with another viewpoint. This film should make them question this assumption, to be more accepting of queer people within the community. Finally, there are Muslims who struggle with their sexuality and gender identity. This film should enable them to accept all of their identities fully and give them hope that there are mosques that welcome them with open arms.