PERTH: Australia batsman Usman Khawaja believes the statements he wrote on his shoes in support of the people of Gaza were not political and said he would fight the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s ruling that he cannot display them while playing.

Khawaja had the messages “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” written on his boots in the colours of the Palestinian flag in Tuesday’s training for the first Test against Pakistan.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said on Wednesday that the 36-year-old Pakistan-born opener had agreed not to display the messages during the match when it started on Thursday, but Khawaja later posted an emotional video on the social media site X.

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

“I don’t believe in this though. It’s a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to get an approval. Freedom is a human right.”

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.

The ICC Code of Conduct forbids players wearing, displaying or conveying messages through arm bands or other items on clothing or equipment without prior approval.

Messages related to political, religious or racial activities or causes are not allowed.

When asked for comment on Wednesday, the ICC directed reporters to the relevant regulations which make clear that the global governing body is the final arbiter of what is allowed and what constitutes a “political, religious or racial cause”.

England batsman Moeen Ali, who like Khawaja is a Muslim with Pakistani heritage, was banned by the ICC in 2014 from wearing wristbands featuring the slogans “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”.

The ICC did, however, allow players to “take the knee” before international matches in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in 2020 and 2021.

“What I’ve written on my shoes isn’t political. I’m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal,” Khawaja added. “One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life, and so on. Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?

“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.”

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.

Australia’s Sports Minister Anika Wells gave Khawaja her full backing.

“Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian. He should have every right to speak up on matters that are important to him,” she said.

“He has done so in a peaceful and respectful way. He has done so as an individual and expressed an individual opinion that does not compromise the Australian cricket team’s obligations to the ICC.”

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2023