From the ability to hide an embarrassing spot to yawning with no one seeing, the Niqab provides a bittersweet experience for many.

Less than 0.2% of Muslim women wear the face veil, the most common reason to do so being devotion towards attaining nearness to God. Undoubtedly, majority of wearers love Islam and go to such efforts to prove so.

Personally, the consistency of Islam drew me in. The prayer, the fasting and the etiquette are all steady concepts and aim to provide stability in life.

The Niqab has this beautiful uniformity and steadfastness which is nothing but adaptable. But the difficulty in wearing such a piece in our divisive society is heightened by the glorification of the Niqab used for purposes not even remotely religious.

Recently, Khloe Kardashian (one of the three infamous Kardashian sisters) came under fire for adapting the Niqab for her own means in one of her Instagram selfies.

The caption, “Habibi, Love” concocted whilst on her trip to Dubai, provided an admittedly clunky translation.

It may have been a result of innocent intentions to emulate Dubai locals but it left the starlet being slammed for trivialising sacred customs to mere fashion statements, known as cultural appropriation. I have to say, I agree, especially with the diverse experience I have had with my Niqab.

It resonates completely with the idea Greg Tate coins, ‘Everything but the burden’ which elaborates on this idea of cultural appropriation.

Khloe Kardashian seemed happy to take on the elements of Islamic culture she found attractive but the healthy stock of abuse that comes hand in hand with the Niqab seemingly disappeared for someone famous who has no real understanding of the veil.

The double standard that existed between me and Khloe was horrifically evident as many swarmed to compliment her on her apt manner of adopting the Niqab yet expected other Niqab wearers to be unconditionally apologetic on the behaviour of fellow ‘Muslims’. The contrast was made crystal clear.

In my opinion, If Khloe really wanted to have the ‘authentic’ experience of the Niqab, she needed to have the same baffled look on her face when an average Joe walked up to her intending to provide an epiphany as to why she was oppressed.

She needed to have her own Muslim community question her as to why she was adamant in wearing something that simply made her seem self-righteous. She needed to have the various Quran verses propagated at her as to whether or not the Niqab was even a concept in Islam. I mean, everyone ignores the fact that it makes going to the shops ten times easier in your pyjamas!

Which is why it seems hilarious and perplexing to me that the amount of people who feel that they possess the necessary ‘wisdom’ to teach me about the patriarchal origins of the veil, forget the driving sexualised commercial force that exists behind almost all industries today. Of course, this isn’t patriarchal at all (!) But it doesn’t end there. The stares of the people when I laugh and talk loudly with an unveiled or veiled friend are often unnerving.

My self-assurance acts as an oxymoron against my covered body. I feel like people are thinking the reason as to why I’m being so brash despite my outer appearance severely conflicting my actions.

Perhaps mild paranoia has set in, coupled with an obsession of what people are thinking about me. However, strangers do look shocked when I have a dynamic chat to a friend on the way home about Sherlock or Orphan Black!

The negativity, as shown above is rife, but the benefits of wearing the Niqab are so much stronger. For example, the look on the face of someone who you help out, or share pleasantries with, is always a positive surprise that motivates you to do it more often and consolidate the choice you have made.

Also, the physical benefits of the Burqa are pretty good. I mean, the Burqa is a great fire blanket for a fiery situation. Remember- stop, drop and roll. Safety first kids.

On a more serious not, the best moments of wearing the veil are when you tell someone your (admittedly far-fetched) plans for the future and the light-bulb moment that occurs in their head as they realise the ambitious nature is definitely worth the punt.

We are empowered by the Niqab religiously. Personal experience tells me that the ability to walk down the street and have no one recognize me is one of the best feelings in the world. I show people what I want them to see. What more could you ask for in this superficial society?

These liberties ultimately overpower all the negativities that come associated with the Niqab.

With the Niqab comes opportunity which, I feel all wearers should take full advantage of.

There isn’t going to be a better time to do so; all eyes are on us. I personally feel the need to integrate into British society as I feel it would be will be beneficial and am fiercely ambitious in the way we could do so.

If people acquired some perspective on both parties and aimed to break down the segregate nature, my Niqab would not be a barrier, rather it would be a talking point, hopefully there to aim to break those barriers down.

It isn’t enough to sit and beg for the sympathy vote. The action needs to take place. It shouldn’t be handed off to somebody resulting in it being done by nobody.

The Muslim community should actively become part of the greater society and this divisive nature is doing us no favours.

The lack of veil wearing women actively taking part in the community is embarrassing and simply breeds ignorance.

With the possibility of all these benefits, I have never been more liberated. For one thing, I’ve got a free blindfold on a plane...