Famous Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, who converted to Islam and took the Muslim name Shuhada Sadaqat, died on Wednesday, aged 56.

Prominent figures from the Muslim community expressed their admiration for the legendary singer, who was known for her support for the Palestinian cause.

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.”

The Irish singer converted to Islam in 2018.

Fellow Muslim convert and iconic singer Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, led the tributes.

“Sad to hear of the passing of sister Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinéad O’Connor,” tweeted Yusuf.

“She was a tender soul, may God, Most Merciful, grant her everlasting peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon – Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return. 2:156.”

Others also paid tribute to the singer, with many pointing out why her Muslim identity seemed to be missing from the media obituaries.  

Why Sinéad O’Connor converted to Islam

Here are some quotes from O’Conner on why she became Muslim.  

After her conversion, she wrote on Twitter: “This is the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian’s journey. All scripture study leads to Islam. Which makes all other scriptures redundant.”

During an interview on the Irish TV show in September 2019, O’Connor said she “had been a Muslim all my life and didn’t realise it.”

“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. That is what happened to me.”

“I started studying scriptures from different religious, trying to find the ‘truth’ about God.”

“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.'”

During an episode of the Deen Show, she said about Islam and the Quran: “It’s very much for me about the strength of the scripture. The intelligence, the sheer intelligence of the scripture that I just knew immediately that nobody wrote this but God. Nobody created it but God.”