Singer Sinead O’Connor converts to Islam and a new name
SINEAD O’Connor has converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada.
The troubled Irish singer, who had a Roman Catholic upbringing, made the announcement on Twitter and posted pictures of herself wearing a hijab.
Miss O’Connor, 51, disclosed that her new name was Shuhada Davitt, which means ‘martyr’ in Arabic.
‘This is to announce that I am proud to have become a Muslim,’ she wrote. ‘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.’
The mother of four has also changed the name of her Twitter page to Shu- hada Davitt. Last year she had changed her name to Magda Davitt.
The announcement by Miss O’Connor, who found fame in 1990 with a striking arrangement of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, is the latest surprising move for the singer.
In 1992 Miss O’Connor caused controversy when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II during an appearance on US television show Saturday Night Live. In 1999 she was ordained as a priest by Bishop Michael Cox, founder of the Irish Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is not recognised by the Roman Catholic Church.
She became Mother Bernadette Mary and vowed to wear a dog collar and clerical shirt daily.
The singer, who has been married four times, has spoken in the past about her mental health problems, including receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and having suicidal thoughts.
‘I am proud to have become a Muslim’