Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja has been vocal about his support for the live of people affected in Palestine. The cricketer was seen wearing shoes with the quote “All lives are equal” inscribed on it. However, the International Cricket Board (ICC) rejected this initiative on supporting the war affected people in Palestine. Following this, the cricketer played with a black armband. Initially it was taken as a political stance. But Usman Khawaja clarified the misconception by taking the matter to the press.
Heartbroken Khawaja worries for thousands of kids who lost their lives in the war. The recent incident in Palestine made him think about his daughter. And he feels it is his responsibility to speak about this. Khawaja also added he is blessed to be in such a beautiful country. With not worrying a thing of something like that and the same goes for their children being safe and secure. And all he wants is the same for the rest of the world.
No personal vendetta involved says Usman Khawaja
“I don’t have any agendas other than trying to shine a light on what I feel really passionately, really strongly about. What I wore on my shoes was really. I thought about it for a while, what I was going to write. I made sure that I didn’t want to segregate different parts of the population, religious beliefs, communities. Hence, I have kept religion out of this and talking about humanitarian issues. I am talking about Article 1 of the unified declaration of human rights. That is literally the crux of it. said Khawaja
“The reason I’m doing it is because it hit me hard. When I am looking at my Instagram and I’m seeing kids, innocent kids, videos of them, dying, passing away, that’s what’s hit me hardest. I just imagine my young daughter in my arms and the same thing. For me, that’s the reason I am doing this. I don’t have any hidden agendas. If anything, this brings up more negativity towards me,” Khawaja said in a video released by cricket.com.au.
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan also shared the video on his X account and stated that Usman Khawaja is an inspiration for speaking up about the issue.
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