The Irish singer who converted to Islam had a ‘fearless voice’

Popular singer dies aged 56, according to women’s and HIV groups in Ireland Sinead and Connor ‘Challenged’ his country and helped transform it.

The singer has a long history of endeavors. She has supported many causes and has often expressed controversial views—notably when she appeared on the American TV show Saturday Night Live in 1992 to protest against the child abuse scandal in the Catholic Church and Pope John Paul II. The picture of the second was torn.

Women’s Aid Ireland, which helps prevent and support victims of domestic violence, said she had a ‘fearless voice and courage’.

The organization tweeted: ‘You have truly challenged Ireland and a world that has put women, children and anyone at risk.’

‘Your strength, your anger, your pain and vulnerability gave many survivors the strength to speak.’

HIV Ireland hailed O’Connor as a ‘proud ally of people living with HIV and AIDS’.

Paying tribute on Twitter, the charity said: ‘A hugely talented artist and trailblazer in every respect. We remember their ability, their courage and their honesty. Rest in peace.’

Adam Shanley, program manager for the charity MPower, who represents HIV Ireland on the National MSM Health Committee, tweeted a picture of the singer on The Late Late Show in 1990 wearing a Dublin AIDS Alliance T-shirt. were wearing

He said he ‘showed a lot of support for people living with HIV’ in what was a very different Ireland then and now.

His views were echoed by author and AIDS survivor Jason Reed. He tweeted: ‘Sinead O’Connor took care. In Ireland Sinead publicly supported people living with HIV/AIDS when many people stigmatized her.’

‘He used his fame to help break the stigma and bring about change. We were lucky to have Sinead with us.’

As well as charity organizations in Ireland, O’Connor has often spoken out about the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal and refused to attend the Grammy Awards when her 1990 album I Don’t Want What I Haven’t Got. The award was given for Best Alternative Music Performance.

In a letter to the Academy, he said the awards recognized ‘the more commercial side of art’ but believed that an artist’s aim was ‘to inspire and guide mankind in some way. has to be done, of which we are all an equal part.’

After being ordained a priest in 1991, when she announced that she wanted to be known as Mother Bernadette Maryam, she converted to Islam in 2018 and took the name Shahada Dawood, later Shahada Sadaqat – although she did not profess Continued to use Sinead O’Connor professionally.

She came out as gay in 2000 but in 2005 she said she is bisexual. He added: ‘I’m three-quarters heterosexual, one-quarter gay. I’m a bit more inclined towards people with hair.’

President of Ireland Michael Higgins said: ‘For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, one could never fail to be impressed by the depth of his fearless commitment to this important issue. , no matter how painful those truths may be.

‘Her services are among the greatest of Irish women who have contributed in their own unique but unforgettable ways to our lives, our culture and our history.’