support of the hijab There are Muslim feminists who see the veil as a symbol of Islamic freedom or otherwise attribute a personalized meaning to it. Feminists such as Leila Ahmed say the veil no longer represents "a woman's brainwashed submissiveness or at the very least her lack of choice" and note that many American Muslims have worn the hijab to show opposition to anti-Muslim discrimination following the September 11 attacks or to show solidarity with Palestine. Since 2012, the hijab has become more prominent in countries of the world where state law does not require women to wear the hijab. For some of these women the hijab acts as a statement of pride in Islam, femininity, and sexual identity rather than as a representation of the oppression of women. Feminist philosophers such as Luce Irigaray note that the veil can take on the role of empowerment regarding a woman's sexual difference from man. Some feminists link the freedom to wear the hijab to women having a right over their own body. Publicist Nadiya Takolia adopted the hijab after becoming a feminist , saying the hijab "is not about protection from men's lusts," but about "telling the world that my femininity is not available for public consumption...and I don't want to be part of a system that reduces and demeans women." Views emphasising the freedom of choice Rachel Woodlock, an academic and writer who conducts research on Islam and Muslims, points out that the wearing of hijab is contextualised by culture. Many modern Muslim feminists believe a woman's freedom of choice is the most important thing. She should be able to choose whether to wear the veil or not without being coerced or threatened. This view holds that in accordance with a Muslim feminist's personal expression Islamic faith, Muslim women should be able to define dress codes for themselves and what they deem to be empower and define them. See also Awrah Haya (Islam) Hermeneutics of feminism in Islam Hijab by country Purdah Types of hijab Bibliography References Quranic exegesis Hermeneutics Islamic feminism Women's rights in Islam Islamic literature Islamic studies Feminist theory Feminist ethics Hijab Clothing controversies Feminism in the Middle East Feminism in the Arab world