Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, Oct 1: BBC journalist Hanna Yusuf, who shot to fame for defending the ‘hijab’as a 'feminist statement' died suddenly at the age of 27.

The BBC's Fran Unsworth, director of news, said Hanna was a "talented young journalist who was widely admired" and her death was "terrible news".

Her family in a statement said they were shocked as well as 'deeply saddened and heartbroken' by the journalist's sudden death.“You will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.May Allah forgive you and grant you Jannatul Firdous [a high place in heaven],” the statement read.

Born in Somalia in 1992, Yusuf moved to the UK with her family after growing up in the Netherlands. She studied for her undergraduate degree in French and Spanish at Queen Mary University, before enrolling at City University of London to study for an MA in Newspaper Journalism. Yusuf wrote for the BBC News website, and had also worked as a TV news producer.

Yusuf’s recently had done an investigative story into working conditions at Costa Coffee stores. Her article revealed employees’ complaints alleging managers' refusal to pay for sickness or annual leave, working outside of contracted hours and the retention of tips.