Australian cricketer, Usman Khawaja, has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of double standards – this time after refusing to allow him to display an image of a dove of peace on his bat, in solidarity with Gaza.
What happened between Al-Khawaja and the International Criminal Court?
Al-Khawaja planned to show his support for Palestine by decorating his bat with an image of a dove accompanied by the message “01: UDHR,” a reference to Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that human rights are universal and universal. Inalienable.
According to the Australian newspaper, the International Criminal Court refused to allow him to display this message on his racket.
The ICC Code of Conduct prohibits players from wearing, displaying or transmitting messages through armbands or other items on clothing or equipment without prior approval, in particular for “political, religious or racial” reasons.
But Al-Khawaja and his supporters point out that this rule has not prevented other players from displaying such messages in the past.
For example, West Indies players were allowed to wear “Black Lives Matter” slogans on their shirts during a Test series against England in 2020.
In a video he posted on Instagram late on the eve of the second Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday, Khawaja also posted pictures of other international players displaying religious symbols and messages on their bats.
He captioned his post, “Merry Christmas everyone, sometimes you just have to laugh… #inconsistent double standards.”
Khawaja’s case is not the only case where the ICC has banned a player from displaying such symbols. England player Moeen Ali was banned from wearing bracelets bearing the messages “Save Gaza” and “Liberate Palestine”, during a home Test against India in 2014.
Al-Khawaja’s badge and shoes
Pakistani-born Khawaja made several attempts this month to show his solidarity and support for the people of Gaza, where more than 20,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks.
He said on Friday that he would appeal the ICC’s reprimand for wearing a black armband in the first Test against Pakistan in Perth on December 14.
He originally intended to show his support by displaying the messages “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his shoes in the colors of the Palestinian flag. He wore these shoes during training and intended to wear them during the Test match as well, but was prevented from doing so. He said his message was not political in a video posted on X on December 13.
All lives are equal. Freedom is a human right. I raise my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it another way. This is on you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
– Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
Al-Khawaja (37 years old) said that the leadership badge decision has no meaning.
“I told them it was for a personal bereavement. I never mentioned it was for anything else. ‘The shoes were a different matter, I’m happy to say that,’ he said at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He did not specify details about the personal bereavement.
Thank you to everyone who supported me and gave me love this week. It did not go unnoticed. Nothing worthwhile is easy. History shows that we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past. But together we can fight for a better future. 🙏🏾 #Freedom_Human_Rights #EveryoneisEqual pic.twitter.com/HAhbebDbCT
– Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 18, 2023
What does the dove of peace represent?
The dove has long been a symbol of peace in many cultures, including Palestinian culture.
The separation wall that divides several communities including the Palestinian town of Bir Nabala in the occupied West Bank contains many different writing symbols including the dove of peace. Part of the wall passes through Bethlehem.
British street artist Banksy’s armored dove is particularly celebrated. It features a white dove wearing a bulletproof vest, carrying an olive branch in its beak. This dove can be seen in many places in Palestine.
How did others react?
Australian skipper Pat Cummins defended Khawaja, saying there was no difference between Khawaja, who displays the symbol of a dove, and his teammate, Marnus Labuschagne, who displays an eagle on his bat as a religious symbol.
Cummins said on Monday that the Australian team was sympathetic to Al Khawaja’s desire to show their support.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of the app, but I think it’s a beautiful dove,” he told reporters. “We really support Uzzy, I think he stands up for what he believes in and I think he does it really respectfully,” he said.
“He can hold his head high the way he did, but there are rules in place, so I think the ICC said they wouldn’t agree to that. They make up the rules and you have to accept them.”
The Australian Cricket Association said in a statement that Al Khawaja has the right to express his opinion but they expect him to abide by ICC rules prohibiting displays on his playing equipment.
Australian Sports Minister Annika Wells gave her full support to Khawaja.
“Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian. He should have every right to speak out about matters that matter to him,” she said.
He did so in a peaceful and respectful manner. He did so as an individual and expressed an individual opinion that was not prejudicial to the Australian cricket team’s obligations to the ICC.
