Why I Shaved My Beard After 20 Years: On Identity, Faith and the Hidden Cost of Looking Muslim

He had one for 20 years. It was how his children knew him. How his colleagues saw him. And it was rooted in something deeply personal — a love for the Prophet, not a political statement. But the airport interrogations, the career setbacks, the constant jibes, and the psychological weight of having to prove he wasn't a threat — it all added up. In this conversation, he opens up about the decision to shave his beard, what it really cost him to keep it, and what he would tell his son if he came home one day wanting to do the same. 🤍 Muslim Identity | Visible Faith | Islamophobia | Mental Health | Faith and Career | #MuslimMen #Podcast #reflectionsandrealisations Timestamps 00:00 The Day He Came Home Clean Shaven 00:54 Why the Beard Started Getting Shorter 01:46 The Exhaustion of Being Judged Every Day 02:22 "They Were Calling Me an Extremist" 03:21 Why He Grew It in the First Place 04:18 Airport Interrogations and Hostile Encounters 07:34 The Conversation That Changed Everything 08:15 Checking His Intention — The Light Bulb Moment 09:10 Is It Liberating? Does He Regret It? 09:35 What Would He Tell His Son? 11:09 The Psychological Burden Nobody Talks About 12:41 A Beard Doesn't Make You a Better Muslim About the Guest Shahbaz Khan is a corporate lawyer, a husband and a proud father of three. He has spent almost two decades advising large corporations and worked on key strategic, high-stakes transactions in the Middle East region. He is an advocate for emotional and mental wellbeing as well as positive, impactful leadership in the workplace, grounded on values of compassion, humility and emotional intelligence. He is a mentor and thrives on connecting with people and helping them with their personal development and growth. 🔗 Follow Shahbaz Khan on his LinkedIn:   / shahbaz-jamil-khan-9298331a   About the Host Alveena is a psychology MSc student, writer, and seeker exploring the intersection of mental health, psychology, and Islamic spirituality. Her work blends academic insight with lived experience to explore identity, belonging, and healing. Through her writing and podcast, she shares personal reflections that bridge science and spirituality, encouraging honest self-inquiry and wholehearted living. She invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with who they truly are.