Australian cricket participant Usman Khawaja has promised to \u201cbattle\u201d a ruling by the game\u2019s governing physique that he says has stopped him from displaying messages in assist of \u201cthose that don\u2019t have a voice\u201d.<\/p>\n

In an emotional video posted on his social media, Khawaja clarified that his message was \u201cnot political\u201d and that the \u201cgreater drawback\u201d was individuals calling him as much as berate him for his stance.<\/p>\n

The opening batter was seen sporting cricket boots with \u201call lives are equal\u201d and \u201cfreedom is a human proper\u201d written on them within the colors of the Palestinian flag throughout Australia\u2019s coaching session previous to their Check sequence in opposition to Pakistan.<\/p>\n

The Worldwide Cricket Council\u2019s (ICC) guidelines don’t permit gamers to show \u201cnon-compliant\u201d wording or logos on clothes or tools worn throughout worldwide matches.<\/p>\n

It implies that the batter won’t be able to put on the boots throughout Australia\u2019s first Check match in opposition to Pakistan, beginning on Thursday, December 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll respect their view and determination, however I’ll battle it and search to realize approval,\u201d Khawaja stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m simply talking up for many who don\u2019t have a voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ICC has declined Al Jazeera\u2019s request for a remark.<\/p>\n

\n
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human proper. I am elevating my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian attraction. In case you see it every other manner. That is on you\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/8eaPnBfUEb<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u2018I think about my two women \u2013 what if it had been them\u2019<\/h2>\n
Khawaja stated he was talking up for the hundreds of kids which can be being killed [in Gaza] \u201cwith none repercussions or regret\u201d and that his message was not \u201cpolitical\u201d as seen by the ICC.<\/p>\n
At least 7,700 children have been killed<\/a> in Gaza because the struggle started in October, in keeping with authorities and well being officers within the besieged strip.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is near my coronary heart,\u201d he stated within the video with a quivering voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter I see hundreds of kids dying with none repercussions or regret, I think about my two women \u2013 what if this was them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Khawaja has two daughters, Aisha and Ayla, along with his Australian-born spouse Rachel whom he married in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody chooses the place they’re born, after which I see the world turning their backs on them, my coronary heart can\u2019t take it,\u201d he went on to say within the video.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old, who was born in Pakistan\u2019s capital Islamabad earlier than shifting to Australia as a toddler. He has usually spoken of his expertise and the issues he has confronted shifting by the Australian cricket circuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI already felt my life wasn\u2019t equal to others once I was rising up,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever fortunately for me, I’ve by no means lived in a world the place the dearth of inequality was life or dying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Usman Khawaja provides an on-field interview holding his daughter Aisha [File: Paul Childs\/Action Images via Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Khawaja questions backlash<\/h2>\n
Khawaja, who has represented Australia in 115 worldwide matches in a 12-year profession, stated he wished to ask these individuals who acquired offended by his act of solidarity, \u201cIs freedom not for everybody?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, personally, it doesn\u2019t matter what race, faith or tradition you’re \u2013 but when me saying \u2018all lives are equal\u2019 has offended individuals to the purpose of\u00a0 \u2013 these individuals clearly don\u2019t imagine in what I’ve written.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I’ve written will not be political, I\u2019m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Muslim life is the same as one Jewish life, is the same as one Hindu life, and so forth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regardless of Khawaja\u2019s revelation a few stunning variety of individuals calling him as much as inform him off, he has discovered assist from Australia\u2019s Sport Minister Anika Wells.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsman Khawaja is a good athlete and an incredible Australian,\u201d Anika Wells advised native media.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ought to have each proper to talk up on issues which can be necessary to him. He has carried out so in a peaceable and respectful manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Australia captain Pat Cummins stated he spoke with Khawaja and confirmed that the batter received\u2019t show the messages regardless of them \u201cnot being divisive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn his footwear he had \u2018all lives are equal\u2019. I believe that\u2019s not very divisive. I don\u2019t suppose anybody can actually have too many complaints about that,\u201d he advised reporters in his pre-match information convention.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t suppose his intention is to make too huge of a fuss, however we assist him,\u201d Cummins stated.<\/p>\n
\u2018Political messaging makes regulatory our bodies nervous\u2019<\/h2>\n
Specialists imagine how the ICC reacts to Khawaja\u2019s attraction will set a precedent for the dealing with of such points by sport our bodies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe many eyes within the sporting world will take a look at how this matter is resolved,\u201d\u00a0Ian Bayley, a senior lecturer in media and public relations on the College of Staffordshire, advised Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n
When requested if Khawaja had approached them to hunt approval to put on the messaging on his boots, they’d \u201cno remark, nothing has occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ICC code of conduct on this concern is kind of specific,\u201d Bayley stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever Khawaja\u2019s counter-argument that his messages should not political however are, actually, humanitarian is an attention-grabbing one.<\/p>\n
The educational stated, \u201cSport has at all times supplied a robust and highly effective platform for political messaging.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever it’s a proven fact that, rightly or wrongly, political messaging tends to make regulatory our bodies nervous.<\/p>\n
\u201cSetting apart the arguments about free speech, it’s not shocking that many [sports bodies] have guidelines in place which successfully restrict, and even ban, opponents from displaying political messages.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former England cricketer Moeen Ali has additionally been on the receiving finish of the ICC\u2019s warning for exhibiting assist for Palestinians.<\/p>\n
In the course of the 2014 struggle in Gaza, Ali was requested to cease sporting wristbands exhibiting assist for Gaza throughout a Check match in opposition to India.<\/p>\n
Extra just lately, Pakistan wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan devoted his nation\u2019s 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 had been made after the match.<\/p>\n
\u2018Double requirements\u2019<\/h2>\n
Cricket followers and specialists have slammed the ICC\u2019s determination and have drawn comparisons when the game has proven assist to different causes prior to now.<\/p>\n
Cricket author Ayaz Memon stated Khawaja was \u201ccourageous and proper\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s objectionable within the trigger he\u2019s espousing? ICC, which (rightly) supported Black Lives Matter, is being shamefully duplicitous on this occasion,\u201d he wrote in a put up on X.<\/p>\n
\n
We noticed high sportspeople present solidarity with BLM, Ukraine, and the LGBTQ neighborhood, which was celebrated. And I am not saying that was improper. I am all for it. Why the double requirements over right here then? Why can Usman Khawaja not put on footwear which say All Lives Matter? <\/p>\n
Garbage. https:\/\/t.co\/SKaGzIaDnQ<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Behram Qazi \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf0 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@DeafMango) December 13, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n