International Courant
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has accused the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) of double requirements – this time after he was denied permission to show the picture of a dove of peace on his bat in solidarity with Gaza.
What occurred between Khawaja and the ICC?
Khawaja deliberate to indicate his assist for Palestine by adorning his bat with the picture of the dove, accompanied by the message “01: UDHR”, a reference to the primary article of the Common Declaration of Human Rights, by which states that human rights are common and inalienable.
Based on the Australian newspaper, the ICC refused to permit him to show this message on his bat.
The ICC Code of Conduct prohibits gamers from sporting, displaying or transmitting messages via armbands or different objects on clothes or tools with out prior consent, particularly for ‘political, non secular or racial’ functions.
Nevertheless, Khawaja and his supporters level out that this rule has not stopped different gamers from displaying such messages up to now.
For instance, West Indies gamers have been allowed to put on ‘Black Lives Matter’ logos on their shirts throughout a Take a look at sequence towards England in 2020.
In a video he posted on Instagram late on Monday on the eve of the second Take a look at towards Pakistan on the Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG), Khawaja additionally posted photos of different worldwide gamers with non secular symbols and messages on their bats.
He captioned his submit: “Merry Christmas everybody, generally you simply gotta snicker… #inconsistent #doublestandards.”
Khawaja’s case shouldn’t be the one occasion the place the ICC has prevented a participant from displaying such symbols. England’s Moeen Ali was banned from sporting wristbands with the messages ‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Liberate Palestine’ throughout a house check towards India in 2014.
Khawaja’s bracelet and footwear
Pakistani-born Khawaja has made a number of makes an attempt this month to indicate solidarity and assist for the individuals of Gaza, the place greater than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli assaults.
On Friday, he stated he would problem the ICC’s reprimand for sporting a black armband throughout the first Take a look at towards Pakistan in Perth on December 14.
He initially deliberate to indicate his assist by displaying the messages “Freedom is a human proper” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear within the colours of the Palestinian flag. He wore these footwear throughout coaching and deliberate to put on them throughout the Take a look at match as nicely, however was prevented from doing so. He argued that his message was not political in a video posted to X on December 13.
All lives are equal. Freedom is a human proper. I elevate my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian attraction. When you see it otherwise. That is as much as you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
Khawaja, 37, argued that the bracelet choice made no sense.
“I informed them it was a private loss. I by no means stated it was for the rest. The boots have been one other matter, I am completely satisfied to say,” he stated on the Melbourne Cricket Floor. He didn’t present particulars concerning the private loss.
I need to thank everybody who supported and beloved me this week. It did not go unnoticed . Nothing price doing is straightforward. Historical past reveals that we’re doomed to repeat the errors of our previous. However collectively we are able to battle for a greater future. #freedomishumanright #alllivesareequal pic.twitter.com/HAhbebDbCT
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 18, 2023
What does the dove of peace characterize?
Doves have lengthy been an emblem of peace in lots of cultures, together with Palestinian tradition.
A number of graffiti symbols have been painted on the wall that separates many communities, together with the Palestinian city of Bir Nabala within the occupied West Financial institution, together with the dove of peace. A part of the wall runs via Bethlehem.
The armored pigeon of the British avenue artist Banksy is especially celebrated. It reveals a white dove sporting a bulletproof vest and carrying an olive department in its beak. This pigeon may be seen in lots of locations in Palestine.
Banksy’s armored pigeon on the wall of a store in Bethlehem within the occupied West Financial institution (David Silverman/Getty Photos)
How have others responded?
Australian skipper Pat Cummins defended Khawaja, arguing that there is no such thing as a distinction between Khawaja displaying the pigeon image and his teammate, Marnus Labuschagne, displaying an eagle on his bat as a spiritual image.
The Australian staff was sympathetic to Khawaja’s want to indicate his assist, Cummins stated on Monday.
“I do not know the ins and outs of the applying, however I believe it is fairly vanilla, pigeon,” he informed reporters. “We actually assist Uzzy, I believe he stands up for what he believes in and I believe he does it very respectfully,” he stated.
“He can maintain his head excessive the best way he has, however there are guidelines so I imagine the ICC have stated they will not approve that. They decide the principles and you need to settle for them.”
Cricket Australia stated in an announcement that Khawaja had the best to specific his views however they anticipated him to adjust to ICC guidelines that ban shows on its enjoying tools.
Australian Sports activities Minister Anika Wells gave Khawaja her full assist.
“Usman Khawaja is a superb athlete and an amazing Australian. He ought to have each proper to talk out on points which might be vital to him,” she stated.
“He did this in a peaceable and respectful method. He has executed this as a person and expressed a person view that doesn’t jeopardize the Australian cricket staff’s obligations to the ICC.”
Why is cricketer Khawaja not allowed to indicate solidarity with Gaza? | Israeli-Palestinian Battle Information
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