O’connor converted to Islam in 2018, a key moment in her life some say has not been highlighted in tributes.
While musicians, politicians and fans remember Sinead O’connor, some Muslims are disappointed that the Irish singer and lifelong activist’s religious identity is not being highlighted in tributes.
UK police on Thursday said the 56-year-old was found unresponsive at her London residence on Wednesday and that her death was not being treated as suspicious.
O’connor, whose hit “Nothing Compares 2 u” helped him achieve global fame, converted to Islam in 2018.
Since her death was announced, Muslim fans of the superstar have said her conversion to Islam, a cornerstone of her identity, was inspiring, but that some media reports had failed to mark her religious beliefs in obituaries.
“This is to announce that I am proud to have become a Muslim. This is the natural conclusion of the journey of any intelligent theologian. All the study of the Holy Scriptures leads to Islam. Which makes all the other writing superfluous, ” the singer wrote on tanair twitter on October 19, 2018.
At the time, O’connor wrote selfies wearing the Muslim headscarf, hijab, and uploaded a video of her reciting the Islamic call to prayer, azan.
She took the Muslim name Shuhada ‘ Davitt – later changed it to Shuhada Sadaqat – but continued to use the name Sinead O’connor professionally.
One social media user said images of the singer without a hijab point to the apparent absence of Muslim journalists in newsrooms.
You really don’t get why the British media aren’t using Sinead O’connor’s hijab photo when she was publicly a practicing Muslim-that’s why we need Muslims in the newsroom because they just don’t understand the importance
– Unzela Khan (@unzela_) July 26, 2023
Others, like US-based author Khaled Beydoun, complained about what he called a complete “erasure” of her identity.
Many mainstream media outlets are bypassing or deleting Sinead – or Shahuda’s Muslim identity
RT this pic.twitter.com/NKlyGCBxyg
– Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) July 26, 2023
Meanwhile, some said O’connor was an inspiration to queer Muslims globally.
In 2000, she came out as a lesbian during an interview. But the singer, who was married to several men throughout her life, later said her sexuality was fluid and that she did not believe in labels.
Sinsibad inspired queer Muslims globally through this simple act of love and challenge. It redefined conversion and did not fit the regular boxes of religion and theology.
“Sinflix O’connor wears the rainbow top with the traditional hijab on Good Morning Britain” https://t.co/jd64wHNr80
– Amanullah De Sondy (@desondy) July 27, 2023
Some found joy in O’connor’s conversion growing up, seeing herself represented, while others, only learning about her Muslim identity after her death, also took inspiration.
Inna Lillahi Support Inna Ilayhi Rajioon. I listened to Sinead when I was younger, as an angry Somali-Muslim growing up in Toronto public housing & I liked her music, her beliefs, not accepting inconsistent reviews. So when I found out she became a Muslim, like me, I was thrilled. pic.twitter.com/l0f3h6JvaN
Ayasinvan (@ayasinvan) July 26, 2023
I’m *just * learning about Sinead O’connor and I’m in awe. What a woman. What A Muslim. So so deeply grateful for her sustained courage & generosity. Specifically, she donated her residence to my people during the Somaliske civil war and the resulting famine. God bless you!!!💙
– fatoom in her barbie era (@fatimasflavors) July 26, 2023
O’connor was no stranger to controversy.
A lifelong non-conformist, she was outspoken about religion, feminism and struggle, as well as her addiction and mental health issues.
In 2014, she refused to play in Israel.
“Let’s just say that, on a human level, no one of any common sense, including myself, would have anything but sympathy for the Palestinian plight. There is not a reasonable person on earth who in any way sanctions what the Israeli authorities are doing,” she told The Hot Press, an Irish music magazine.
We extend our condolences to the family of Sinead O’conner, may Allah have mercy on her. We also urge the media to respect her acceptance of Islam by accepting the name she chose for herself, Shuhada’ Sadaqat, & using recent photos depicting how she chose to present herself.
– Cair National (@CAIRNational) July 26, 2023
Her iconic shaved head and shapeless clothing challenged popular culture’s notions of femininity and sexuality in the early 90s.
In 1992, she ripped a picture of Pope John Paul II during a television appearance on Saturday Night Live, vocally against the Catholic Church’s history of child abuse.
The late former star was also a strong supporter of a united Ireland, under which the United Kingdom would cede control of Northern Ireland.
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