Sinéad O’Conner, the world-famous Irish singer who converted to Islam in 2018, has passed away at the age of 56.
In a statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
There are no further details available about the circumstances of her death for the moment.
O’Connor took the new name “Shuhada’ Davitt” when she converted, saying that she had ditched the Catholic Church for good in a message to fans.
She wrote: “This is to announce that I am proud to have become a Muslim. This is the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian’s journey. All scripture study leads to Islam. Which makes all other scriptures redundant. I will be given (another) new name. It will be Shuhada.”
Sinéad O’Connor gained international fame in the late 1980s for her distinctive voice, powerful vocal performances, and thought-provoking songs. Her debut album, “The Lion and the Cobra,” was released in 1987 and received critical acclaim.
However, it was her second album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” (1990), that catapulted her to mainstream success. The album featured her iconic and emotionally charged rendition of the song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” written by Prince, which became an international hit and remains one of her most recognised works.
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Throughout her career, Sinéad O’Connor was known for her honest and sometimes controversial public statements, as well as her activism on various social and political issues.
O’Connor’s music reflected her personal struggles and experiences, and she was praised for her raw and emotionally vulnerable songwriting.
Her openness about mental health issues and personal struggles garnered both sympathy and criticism, but it has also contributed to breaking down stigmas and raising awareness about mental health in the public eye.
The Dublin singer’s 17-year-old son Shane died last year, days after he was reported missing.
Writing on social media following his death, she said he had “decided to end his earthly struggle” and requested “no-one follows his example.”
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar paid tribute to her, saying her music “was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare.”
