In this episode of Burqah & Bikini, we sit down with Shabana, a woman born and raised in California, whose immigrant South Asian & Muslim upbringing shaped her experience as a mother, a survivor, and a surrogate.

Shabana had a child outside of marriage — a decision that challenged cultural and religious expectations. She later survived domestic abuse at the hands of her brother, stood up for herself by calling the police, and eventually chose to become a surrogate, carrying a baby for another family.

We explore:

• What it's like to have a child outside of wedlock in a South Asian Muslim community
• Why Shabana chose to become a surrogate and how it changed her view on motherhood
• Whether motherhood is truly the ultimate role for women — or just a cultural expectation
• How she talked to her ...