麻豆约拍

From Abdul-Rehman Malik, journalist and broadcaster

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This month marks an important anniversary in my life. Two decades ago I embarked on what has turned out to be听 a truly long-term relationship. It started a little patchy, it took time to grow and when it finally started to take shape it was messy and a little wild. At times I wished I could let it all go - to replace it with the smooth, easy days that had preceded it, but I persevered and now I can't imagine life without it.

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So, it's with a fair degree of pride that I wish a Happy 20th - to my beard.

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Growing up, I was usually so far behind the fashion curve that I couldn't even keep up with the high street.

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But When it came to the beard, I was way ahead of the crowd, being one of a very few 19 year olds sporting one. I associated the beard with rugged strength and earthy wisdom. I wanted to channel the creativity of bearded men like Jeff Lynne, but I had other reasons for growing the beard - spiritual reasons.

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In my tradition, the beard is synonymous with being a man. It's a physical reminder of our duty to God - to live an honourable, dare I say, chivalrous life. We patiently grow this thing out, deal with the naysayers when they say it makes us look old, stroke it when we're deep in thought. I feel it connects me with the great philosophers, prophets and revolutionaries of the past.

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"God does look at your appearances or what you possess", counselled the Prophet Muhammad. "God scans your hearts and looks at your deeds."

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The hipsters who surround me in London's East End have made the beard not just acceptable, but fashionable - and I thank them for it. But for me, my beard will always be visual cue about who I am and who I aspire to be.

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With every white hair that now sprouts from my chin - and there are far too many - I am reminded of growing older and the urgency of life. To live well is to live beautifully and for the benefit of others - and of course you don't need to be bearded to that.

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