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Australian Muslim Cricketer Vows to Challenge Ban on Palestine Solidarity Shoes

AboutIslam & News Agencies
14 December, 2023

Australian Muslim cricketer Usman Khawaja has vowed to fight an international Cricket Council directive prohibiting him from wearing shoes that carry a pro-Palestine message of solidarity during a Test match in Perth.

Khawaja was seen during a Tuesday training wearing spikes featuring the phrases “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right,” in solidarity with the Palestinians suffering under Israel’s war on Gaza, CNN reported.

Khawaja, who was the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia, had planned to wear these shoes in the first Test starting on Thursday.

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Saying he accepts ICC rules that allow the match referee to bar players for wearing attire that violates regulations, Khawaja said he is committed to overturning this ban, aiming to wear the shoes during Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test.

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“The ICC have told me I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines,” Khawaja said on social media.

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

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The ICC has previously prevented players from carrying what it deems to be political messages. In 2014, it banned England’s Moeen Ali from wearing “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” wristbands in a Test against India.

Khawaja’s stance has garnered support from his teammates.

Travis Head, Australia’s vice-captain, showed solidarity on X, formerly Twitter, posting: “We stand with Usman Khawaja! All lives are Equal.”

Captain Pat Cummins had earlier said: “Uzzie doesn’t want to make too big of a fuss. 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.”

At least 18,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 70% of whom are women and children.