Usman Khawaja Auctions Controversial “All Lives Are Equal” Shoes for UNICEF Children of Gaza Appeal

In a significant philanthropic gesture, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has chosen to auction off his banned “All Lives Are Equal” shoes, with the auction proceeds directed towards UNICEF’s Children of Gaza appeal. The move comes after the ICC banned Khawaja from donning the shoes during the Pakistan Test series due to references to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Announcing the initiative on social media, Khawaja expressed his commitment to supporting the children of Gaza through the United Nations Children’s Fund. In a statement on Instagram, he shared, “All proceeds will go to the ‘UNICEF Children of Gaza’ appeal. The kids need your help now more than ever, and as always, thank you for your support and generosity.”

The Controversy Surrounding the Shoes

The controversy erupted when Khawaja sported the “All Lives Are Equal” shoes during the Pakistan Test series, prompting the ICC to ban them. Last week, he released a line of T-shirts featuring the banned shoes, adorned with messages like “freedom is a human right.” The Australian cricketer faced criticism for his choice, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to raising awareness about humanitarian issues.

Khawaja explained his choice of words on the shoes, stating, “I made sure that I didn’t want to segregate different parts of the population, religious beliefs, communities, hence why I’ve kept religion out of this. I wanted to be really broad and open mind speaking because I’m talking about humanitarian issues and talking about Article One of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, that is literally the crux of it.”

Previous ICC Incidents and Critique

Khawaja’s recent actions follow his reprimand during the Perth Test for wearing a black armband without official approval, which he clarified was in response to a personal bereavement. Additionally, he faced restrictions on displaying a dove symbol on his shoes in Melbourne, prompting criticism of the ICC for alleged “double standards” in enforcing rules related to political symbols.

While facing scrutiny for his actions on the field, Usman Khawaja continues to use his platform for philanthropic endeavours, aiming to make a positive impact on humanitarian causes and support those in need.

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