Australian cricket participant Usman Khawaja has promised to “fight” a ruling by the game’s governing physique that he says has stopped him from displaying messages in assist of “those who don’t have a voice”.
In an emotional video posted on his social media, Khawaja clarified that his message was “not political” and that the “bigger problem” was individuals calling him as much as berate him for his stance.
The opening batter was seen carrying cricket boots with “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” written on them within the colors of the Palestinian flag throughout Australia’s coaching session previous to their Check collection in opposition to Pakistan.
The Worldwide Cricket Council’s (ICC) guidelines don’t permit gamers to show “non-compliant” wording or logos on clothes or tools worn throughout worldwide matches.
It implies that the batter will be unable to put on the boots throughout Australia’s first Check match in opposition to Pakistan, beginning on Thursday, December 14.
“I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to gain approval,” Khawaja mentioned.
“I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice.”
The ICC has declined Al Jazeera’s request for a remark.
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human proper. I am elevating my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian enchantment. Should you see it another manner. That is on you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
‘I imagine my two girls – what if it were them’
Khawaja mentioned he was talking up for the hundreds of kids which can be being killed [in Gaza] “without any repercussions or remorse” and that his message was not “political” as seen by the ICC.
At least 7,700 children have been killed in Gaza because the battle started in October, in response to authorities and well being officers within the besieged strip.
“This is close to my heart,” he mentioned within the video with a quivering voice.
“When I see thousands of children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls – what if this was them?”
Khawaja has two daughters, Aisha and Ayla, along with his Australian-born spouse Rachel whom he married in 2018.
“No one chooses where they are born, and then I see the world turning their backs on them, my heart can’t take it,” he went on to say within the video.
The 36-year-old, who was born in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad earlier than transferring to Australia as a baby. He has usually spoken of his expertise and the issues he has confronted transferring by means of the Australian cricket circuit.
“I already felt my life wasn’t equal to others when I was growing up,” he mentioned.
“But luckily for me, I have never lived in a world where the lack of inequality was life or death.”
Khawaja questions backlash
Khawaja, who has represented Australia in 115 worldwide matches in a 12-year profession, mentioned he needed to ask these individuals who received offended by his act of solidarity, “Is freedom not for everyone?”
“To me, personally, it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are – but if me saying ‘all lives are equal’ has offended people to the point of – these people obviously don’t believe in what I have written.”
“What I have written is not political, I’m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Muslim life is equal to one Jewish life, is equal to one Hindu life, and so on.”
Regardless of Khawaja’s revelation a couple of surprising variety of individuals calling him as much as inform him off, he has discovered assist from Australia’s Sport Minister Anika Wells.
“Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian,” Anika Wells informed native media.
“He should have every right to speak up on matters that are important to him. He has done so in a peaceful and respectful way.”
In the meantime, Australia captain Pat Cummins mentioned he spoke with Khawaja and confirmed that the batter gained’t show the messages regardless of them “not being divisive.”
“On his shoes he had ‘all lives are equal’. I think that’s not very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have too many complaints about that,” he informed reporters in his pre-match information convention.
“I don’t think his intention is to make too big of a fuss, but we support him,” Cummins mentioned.
‘Political messaging makes regulatory bodies nervous’
Consultants consider how the ICC reacts to Khawaja’s enchantment will set a precedent for the dealing with of such points by sport our bodies.
“I think many eyes in the sporting world will look at how this matter is resolved,” Ian Bayley, a senior lecturer in media and public relations on the College of Staffordshire, informed Al Jazeera.
When requested if Khawaja had approached them to hunt approval to put on the messaging on his boots, that they had “no comment, nothing has happened.”
“The ICC code of conduct on this issue is quite explicit,” Bayley mentioned.
“However Khawaja’s counter-argument that his messages should not political however are, in reality, humanitarian is an fascinating one.
The tutorial mentioned, “Sport has always offered a strong and powerful platform for political messaging.”
“However it’s a proven fact that, rightly or wrongly, political messaging tends to make regulatory our bodies nervous.
“Setting aside the arguments about free speech, it is not surprising that many [sports bodies] have rules in place which effectively limit, or even ban, competitors from displaying political messages.”
Former England cricketer Moeen Ali has additionally been on the receiving finish of the ICC’s warning for exhibiting assist for Palestinians.
In the midst of the 2014 battle in Gaza, Ali was requested to cease carrying wristbands exhibiting assist for Gaza throughout a Check match in opposition to India.
Extra lately, Pakistan wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan devoted his nation’s win in opposition to Sri Lanka on the Cricket World Cup in India to the individuals of Gaza however didn’t face any sanctions because the feedback have been made after the match.
‘Double standards’
Cricket followers and consultants have slammed the ICC’s determination and have drawn comparisons when the game has proven assist to different causes prior to now.
Cricket author Ayaz Memon mentioned Khawaja was “brave and right”.
“What’s objectionable in the cause he’s espousing? ICC, which (rightly) supported Black Lives Matter, is being shamefully duplicitous in this instance,” he wrote in a put up on X.
We noticed prime sportspeople present solidarity with BLM, Ukraine, and the LGBTQ neighborhood, which was celebrated. And I am not saying that was unsuitable. I am all for it. Why the double requirements over right here then? Why can Usman Khawaja not put on sneakers which say All Lives Matter?
Garbage. https://t.co/SKaGzIaDnQ
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) December 13, 2023
