Q:

Assalamualaikum. Recently I have discovered that when I am praying salah and someone walks in, I lower my voice in shame of what they will think of me as I don’t live in an Islamic environment so I get ashamed. Is this shirk?

A:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu waRahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

You need to ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Am I afraid of people? You then should convince yourself that you should fear Allah more than His creation. Islam teaches us to firmly believe that no one can harm or benefit us except by Allah’s will.

By convincing yourself in this way, you should be able to change this habit. 

Another option for you may be to ask: Can I pray where no one will see me?

If you can find such a place, you should do that until you summon enough courage to do it in public.

Almighty Allah knows best.