- Has held the abuse as a secret since the MCG Test
- Happened in front of spectators and security
Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja has revealed the extra measure he takes to protect his parents after his mother was abused at the most recent Boxing Day Test.
Khawaja, born in Pakistan, became the country’s first Muslim to represent the national team. He has played more than 70 Test matches, scoring over 5000 runs with an average above 45, including three Ashes centuries.
He will play a key role in the Aussie team again this summer with England touring to compete for the urn in a blockbuster series down under.
Outside of battling opposition bowling lineups, Khawaja has also battled trolls because of his background and religion he entire Test career.
Away from cricket, he has faced controversies and challenges tied to his Muslim faith, including being subjected to Islamophobic abuse early in his career.
Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja has revealed that his Fozia, pictured with his father Tariq, was abused at last year’s Boxing Day Test because she was wearing a hijab
The Aussie opening batsman is a proud Muslim and has defended his religion and family on several occasions
Despite those hurdles, Khawaja has spoken openly about his experiences, becoming a respected advocate for diversity and inclusion in Australian sport.
Now he has provided the forward to the government report ‘A National Response to Islamophobia’ released on Friday, revealing the shocking abuse that extended to his own mother because of what she was wearing at the MCG last summer.
‘I believe there is nothing more difficult than being a hijab wearing Muslim,’ Khawaja wrote.
‘They literally wear their religion on their sleeves. As a Muslim man, no-one knows what I am … but a Muslim woman who covers her hair is out there for the world to see; she can’t hide and she automatically becomes a target for hate and prejudice.
‘My mother is a hijab-wearing woman. For the last 10 years I have seen how many people look at her as she is walking down the street, going to the supermarket or the park for a walk.’
Khawaja said he felt like he had to act as a protector for his parents, with a subtle act to help ensure their safety when he was out in public with them.
‘Many times, I purposely walk slightly behind my parents in case someone tries to do something out of hate, just so I can see and respond and defend them adequately.
‘The looks and double takes she gets from people are quite disturbing.’
Khawaja also revealed he walks behind his parents in case he has to act against potentially dangerous situations because of anti-Islamic sentiment
Khawaja revealed how close to home the abuse got last summer in terrifying and shocking scenes at the MCG.
‘Hate is everywhere in today’s society – and my mother, of all people, experienced last year during the Boxing Day Test,’ he wrote.
‘Two young men decided to walk behind my mum and scream obscenities in both ears, simply because she was wearing a hijab.
‘She was terrified. My mum was distraught. She did not know what to do as she was extremely frightened, shocked and upset by the incident.
‘A security guard saw everything. The guys were detained and the police were called and they were taken away. But god bless my mum’s soul. She didn’t want to proceed any further.
‘I don’t want to ruin the rest of these boys’ lives over one incident’ she told me. I was furious that someone treated my mum that way but I respected my mum’s wishes and we kept it quiet and hidden even from my team-mates.
‘My mum’s mercy was inspirational to see. Something she had learned from Islam, the religion of so-called ‘violence and hate.’ But don’t tell me Islamophobia doesn’t exist.
‘The actions of those two individuals was purely based on hate and creating fear.’
