‘Beloved daughter of Ireland’ – Chief Imam’s heartbreaking tribute to Sinead O’Connor

"Gifted with a voice that moved a generation of young people"

The heartbreaking tribute was published by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, an Islamic scholar and Chief Imam at the Islamic Centre of Ireland after the funeral. The iconic Irish singer’s final farewell took place yesterday as thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects following her death on July 26th. [caption id="attachment_586297" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: Getty Images[/caption] Muslim funeral prayers were led by Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who met the star in 2018 when she converted to Islam. He shared a personal tribute to the Irish star online after the ceremony, which read: "The more she sang and spoke about her own pain, as well as about the pervasive sins in society that she witnessed, the more her voice and her words resonated with listeners and touched their hearts. Sinead never stopped her search to know God fully, exemplifying a life marked with a deep communion with God. "Gifted with a voice that moved a generation of young people, she could reduce listeners to tears by her otherworldly resonance." He added: "I know that peoples of all faiths throughout the world will be praying for this beloved daughter of Ireland, among them will be countless Muslims praying for their sister in faith and humanity. He went on to say that Sinead's voice carried with it an “undertone of hope, of finding one's way home. The Irish people have long found solace in song from the sufferings of this lower abode, and Sinead was no exception, and in sharing that solace, she brought joy to countless people the world over." Dr Umar Al-Qadri continued: "May her family and loved ones find solace in the outpouring of love from the corners of this earth for this unique daughter of Ireland who moved so many hearts with her mighty voice and unflinching honesty as an artist, poet, and human being. "Sinead had a poet's heart and, I believe, would share with us today the sentiments of the poet, Rumi when he said: 'This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief'."

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