In recent history, one item of clothing has created more controversy and divided more opinion than any other.
The hijab has been labelled a tool of oppression and anti-feminist but as Dr Susan Carland explains, for her, her headscarf is a tool of empowerment.
“There are some women who say [wearing the hijab] is a feminist statement,” Carland told Meshel Laurie on The Nitty Gritty Committee.
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“In a society where women’s bodies are used to sell everything from toothpaste to cars, [for those women] covering [their] body is about…saying ‘I’ll decide who sees my body and what parts they get to see by wearing a hijab and covering my body I’m choosing to not have my body commodified in that way,'” Carland said.
Since converting to Islam at 19, Carland has worn her headscarf and today she declares herself “hijabulous” in the description on her Twitter profile.
Susan appearing on Studio Ten.
"In the end, the reason I wear the hijab or the headscarf is as an active worship to God," Carland said. "As a Muslim we believe that everything we do can either be an active worship or just a mindless endeavour.
"It's just about reminding myself who I am, what my values are, why I'm here... as you said [Meshel] it's about having intention and being mindful in all situations," she says.