Usman Khawaja vows to fight ruling as ICC rules pro-Palestine message out

Usman Khawaja has fired back at critics and administrators after being told he could not wear shoes with human rights statements on them in Thursday’s Test match.

Usman Khawaja has hit back at critics and cricket administrators after being told he could not wear shoes with human rights statements on them in Thursday’s Test match.

The Australian revealed on Wednesday that the opening batter was planning to wear shoes with the words “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on the field as a show of support for the innocent lives being lost in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Khawaja has been forced to retreat after being warned he could face serious consequences if he went ahead, but he has promised to fight the ruling and has explained his actions in a video.

“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it to be a political statement under their guidelines,” Khawaja said in a statement to camera that he released on his Instagram account.

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 don’t believe it is so; it’s a ­humanitarian appeal. I will respect that view and decision but I’ll fight it and seek to get approval. Freedom is a human right. And all lives are equal. I will never stop believing, whether you agree with me or not.”

The ICC intervened after The Australian’s story and warned Khawaja he could face severe punishment, including being blocked from taking the field, if he went ahead with his plans.

The Pakistan-born father of two called out those who dis­agreed with his words and said it was shocking how many people disagreed with the statements on the shoes. “Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on.

“I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice. This is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children die, without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls – what if this was them?

“No one chooses where they’re born. And then I see the world turn their backs and my heart can’t take it.

“I already felt my life wasn’t equal to others when I was growing up. Luckily for me, I never lived in a world where … inequality was life or death.”

Khawaja has spoken in the past about his feelings of alienation as a Muslim migrant in the Australian cricket community. “I won’t say much. I don’t need to,” he said. “But what I do want is for everyone who did get offended somehow, is to ask yourself these questions: Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?

Usman Khawaja's planned message of support for Palestine has been blocked.

“To me personally, it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are. Let’s be honest – 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? These people obviously don’t believe in what I have written. It’s not just a handful of people. You’d be shocked about how many feel this way.”

Khawaja had earlier received the backing of the federal Sport Minister and his teammates.

“I actually think it’s one of our strongest points in our team that everyone has their own passionate views and individual thoughts, and I chatted to Usi briefly about it today,” captain Pat Cummins said. “And yeah, I don’t think his intention is to make too big of a fuss.”