Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja’s family has been subjected to a wave of Islamophobic and racist online abuse following a tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. After the shooting, some trolls directed hateful comments at Khawaja’s wife, Rachel, and their young daughters, labeling the children “future school blasters” and telling the family to “go home” to Pakistan.
Khawaja, a Muslim of Pakistani descent who migrated to Australia, is currently part of the Australian squad for the ongoing Ashes series against England, which is being held in the 2025-26 season. In the aftermath of the shooting, Rachel Khawaja shared screenshots of some of the distressing messages they received, stating, “I’ve collected a small sample of the comments we have received over the past week. I would love to say this is new, but sadly we have always received these kinds of messages, though they have, of course, gotten worse.”
She emphasized the importance of unity in the face of such hatred: “It’s important more than ever that we come together and stand united. Whether it’s standing up against antisemitism, Islamophobia or racism, we shouldn’t stand for any of it.”
This backlash followed Khawaja’s condemnation of the violence, despite his clear disassociation from the perpetrators. In a message to the Jewish community after the attack, he expressed heartbreak over the lives lost and emphasized the trauma faced by the Bondi community. “Two horrible crimes in two years. Truly devastating news from Bondi today,” he wrote. He also shared a statement from the Jewish Council of Australia, describing their horror and shock at the mass shooting during a Hanukkah event that left several dead.
The Bondi Beach incident was Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades, claiming 15 lives and creating a national outcry. Khawaja, an advocate for the Palestinian cause, has faced backlash for expressing solidarity with Palestine amid ongoing conflicts, particularly during the recent Gaza crisis. He has firmly rejected accusations of antisemitism, emphasizing that advocating for Gaza is not an indictment of the Jewish community but a critique of the Israeli government’s actions.
Before the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, Khawaja had intended to wear shoes with messages such as “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal,” reflecting colors of the Palestinian flag. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) prohibited this, citing regulations against personal political statements without prior approval.
On the field, Khawaja played a crucial role in Australia’s 82-run victory in the third Ashes Test, securing a 3-0 series lead. He scored 82 runs off 126 balls in the first innings, contributing to vital partnerships that stabilized the Australian innings. He followed up with 40 runs in the second innings, helping to set a daunting target for England.
Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Khawaja moved to New South Wales at the age of four. He made history as the first Australian of Pakistani origin to represent the country in cricket during the 2010-11 Ashes series. He was also part of the Australian team that triumphed in the ICC World Test Championship from 2021 to 2023, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 1,621 runs, the most by any Australian player, and subsequently receiving the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2023.
The post, “Future school blasters”: Usman Khawaja’s family targeted with Islamophobic abuse after Bondi Beach shooting, appeared first on Maktoob media.
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