Australia’s Usman Khawaja vows to ‘fight’ Gaza message ban

Australia batter Usman Khawaja believes the statements he wrote on his shoes in support of Palestinians in Gaza were not ‘political’, saying that he would fight the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s ruling that he cannot display them while playing.

During training this week, the 36-year-old opening batter had hand-written slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear.

Usman Khawaja, who is Muslim, wanted to wear the shoes for the opening Test starting on Thursday in Perth against Pakistan, his birth country.

However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned any messages during matches that relate to politics, religion or race.

Earlier in the day, Australia captain Pat Cummins said that the opener had agreed not to display the messages during the match, but Khawaja later posted an emotional video on the social media site X.

“Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?” Usman Khawaja said in an emotional video. “To me personally it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are. I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice,” he said.

“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe it is so — it’s a humanitarian appeal,” he added.

All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I’m raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That’s on you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023

“I will respect their view and decision but I will fight it and seek to gain approval.”

Cricket Australia said that it supported the players’ right to express their opinions.

“But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages, which we expect the players to uphold,” it said in a statement.

Four days ago, Khawaja shared a video on Instagram from the children’s charity UNICEF from Gaza.

In the post he commented: “Do people not care about innocent humans being killed? Or is it the colour of their skin that makes them less important? Or the religion they practise?”

In his message on Wednesday Khawaja noted the fierce reaction his stance had caused in some quarters.

“But let’s be honest about it, if me saying all lives are equal has resulted in people being offended to the point where they’re calling me up and telling me off, well isn’t that the bigger problem?” he said.

In 2014 the ICC banned England all-rounder Moeen Ali from wearing wristbands saying “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” during a home Test.

Australian Sports Minister Anika Wells said she believed Khawaja’s shoes did not break the rules. “I think he has done it in a peaceful and respectful way,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying.

Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza in response to the deadly Oct. 7 cross-border attacks by Hamas has killed at least 18,205 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.