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Press Release

26-10-2018

“Sinead O’Connor embraces Islam at Islamic Centre of Ireland”
For immediate release

Sinead O’Connor, now known as Shuhada Davitt, has adopted Islam earlier this week. She proclaimed the ‘Shahadah,’ the testimony of Islamic faith, with Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council and Islamic Theologian of the Islamic Centre of Ireland.

Her coming to Islam has been a careful and informed decision and follows a lifetime of searching and study. Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri who facilitated the adoption of her new faith said, “Shuhada has a truthful soul and has always had a strong connection with the scriptures. After reading the Holy Qur’an, she came to realise that Islam is the natural conclusion of her search for the truth.”

He added, “Shuhada has faced many challenges in her life. Where there is light, darkness has tried to envelope it, the greater the light, the greater the struggle with darkness. We warmly welcome Shuhada to the Ummah, the global family of Muslims around the worldand here in Ireland and like a family we will support her through her newly revived spiritual journey.”

At this early stage, she has asked for her privacy to be respected so she can focus on her own spiritual well-being and growth. Elated by her new-found community, she tweeted, “Thank you so much to all my Muslim brothers and sisters who have been so kind as to welcome me to Ummah today on this page. You can’t begin to imagine how much your tenderness means to me”

She took the name Shuhada, which refers to one who bears witness, as she hopes her life and her voice will always remain a witness to truth, justice and mercy.

END

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NOTES

1. The Shahadah is the first and primary pillar of Islam and refers to the Muslim profession of faith: ‘There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God’
2. The Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council is an independent body, established to provide a forum where the Irish Muslim Community can speak as one recognised voice on matters relating to their well-being in Ireland, and help promote ways of integrating effectively in the community and promote the true teachings of Islam.
3. Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri can be contacted for comment on: qadri@icloud.comand on
   Twitter: @drumaralqadri

Statement– Papal Visit to Ireland

As an Irish Muslim scholar, I warmly welcome His HolinessPope Francis to Ireland and congratulate the Catholic community of Ireland on the arrival of the Pope.

Some may wonder why I am welcoming the Pope to Ireland as a Muslim scholar. This is because the common perception of Islam in the Christian world is one of austerity, rigidity, and, in extreme cases, severe cruelty. The situation is not helped by the strict and radical interpretation of the religion by a number of its adherents that in some cases has led to the persecution of Christians in certain Muslim majority countries.

Both Islam and Christianity are religions of revelation centeredon a sacred text. Prophet Abraham is as important a figure in the Qur’an as he is in the Bible. He is considered the first in a long line of prophets of God, that includes Noah, Moses, Joseph, David, John the Baptist and Jesus.
In addition,Islam and Christianity are both monotheistic religions, believing that there is only one God. Other beliefs they hold in common are the virgin birth of Prophet Jesus, the second coming of Jesus before the Day of Judgement, the appearance of the Anti-Christ and the concept of Hell and Paradise.

Islam and Christianity are the two largest religions and Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s population. Without peace between the followers of these two great religions, there can be no meaningful peace in the world.

Pope Francis is a Pope the Christian community should be very proud of. Pope Francis has on many occasions followed the footsteps of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, and reached out to other communities to build bridges. He has reached out specially to Muslims and there have been many kind gestures from the Pope towards Islam and Muslims.

Ireland is undoubtedly a very different Ireland than the last Papal visit in 1979. The Church has let many of its members down due to the scandals and the manner in which the Church dealt with these scandals hurt many specially the victims. The mistake made by its leadership to protect institutions instead of victims is a mistake that is also made by some Muslim and other faith leaders when religious leaders exploit their position of trust and authority.

I expect from Pope Francis, during his visit, that he will not only address the clerical abuse victims but also meet some of the victims. It is also important that concrete steps are taken by the Vatican to hold clerical sex offenders and those who protect them accountable for their crimes. Lessons should be learnt from the past and all religious communities must ensure that the most robust systems are in place so that such crimes can never happen. I am a strong advocate of child protection policies in all religious and secular institutions.

Lastly, I pray for a peaceful and blessed visit of Pope Frances that will result in regaining the trust of the faithful in the Church.

Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri,

Head Imam Islamic Centre of Ireland

Chair Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council