Irish rock star Sinéad O’Connor, who embraced Islam a year ago has opened up on becoming a Muslim.
In October last year, Sinead openly declared that she has converted and takes the Muslim name Shuhada’ Davitt.
The name Shuhada is Arabic meaning ‘martyrs’ or ‘witnesses’.
Making her live comeback on RTE’s The Late Late Show, the 52-year-old singer in a frank interview with host, Ryan Tubridy, discussed her religious journey.
Revert Means
She explained, “The word ‘revert’ refers to the idea that if you were to study the Quran, you would realise you were a Muslim all your life, and you didn’t realise it,” and “that is what happened to me.”
“I am 52,” she continued, “and grew up in a very different Ireland to the one that exists now. It was a very oppressed country, religiously speaking.
Truth About God
“I started studying scriptures from different religious, trying to find the ‘truth’ about God … I never thought I would join a religion, but I left Islam until last because I had so much prejudice about Islam.
“But then when I started reading, and I read just chapter two alone of the Quran, and I realised, ‘Oh my God, I am home’.
“I had been a Muslim all my life and didn’t realise it.”
Why Hijab
Explaining Tubridy about her decision to wear the hijab, Sinead said: “I wear it when I feel like it. There’s no rules as such. I would associate myself with the sufi element of Islam.”
” I am not at my age required to wear the hijab… I wear it because I like it.”
Donning a bright red abaya and matching hijab, Sinead arrived at the studio with her son, 15-year-old Shane Lunny.
Sinead, apart from Shane is also mother to 32-year-old Jake, 23-year-old Roisin and 12-year-old Yeshua.