In a disturbing aftermath to Australia's deadliest terrorist incident in nearly thirty years, the family of star cricketer Usman Khawaja has been subjected to a torrent of online racial abuse. The attack, which shook Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14, was followed by hateful messages directed at Khawaja, one of the nation's most prominent Muslim athletes, and his family.
Wave of Hate Targets Cricketer's Family
Usman Khawaja, currently participating in the Ashes cricket series, has not publicly addressed the vitriol. However, his wife, Rachel Khawaja, took to social media to share a selection of the abusive comments they have received. "I've collected a small sample of some of the comments we have received over the past week," she posted. She expressed her dismay, noting that while such abuse is sadly not new, it has intensified significantly following the tragic events at Bondi Beach.
Details of the Bondi Beach Terror Attack
The abuse stems from a horrific terrorist act that occurred during a Hanukkah gathering. Two gunmen, identified as father and son Sajeed Akram and Naveed Akram, opened fire, killing 15 people. Australian authorities have described the assault as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
Sajeed Akram, 50, an Indian national who entered Australia on a visa in 1998, was shot and killed by police at the scene. His son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who was born in Australia, survived and was charged last week. He faces 15 counts of murder, alongside charges related to committing a terrorist act and planting an explosive device with intent to cause harm. Naveed Akram was transferred from a hospital to the Long Bay Correctional Complex and has not yet entered a plea.
Who Are Usman and Rachel Khawaja?
Usman Khawaja is a celebrated Australian Test cricketer, born in Islamabad, Pakistan, on December 18, 1986. A left-handed opening batsman, he made history in 2011 as the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia and was named the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023.
Rachel Khawaja, who holds dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship, met Usman while they were both students at the University of New South Wales in 2015. The couple married in April 2018. She works as a Business Development Manager and reporter for 7Cricket. They are parents to two young daughters, Aisha and Ayla.
The targeting of Khawaja's family highlights the ugly spillover of bigotry following a national tragedy, raising serious concerns about online hate speech and racism in sport and society.
