Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has revealed that his mother was attacked during the 2024 Boxing Day Test against India because she was wearing a hijab, with two teenage boys screaming in her ears, according to an extract from his memoir Sabr.
In the extract, Khawaja writes that the incident occurred as his mother Fozia walked down the members' race with his brother during play on the first day of the Test. Two boys aged around 17 or 18 approached from both sides and screamed into each of her ears, leaving her "catatonic" and unable to move, he writes. His brother only realised what was happening when she was no longer next to him.
A security guard who witnessed the incident grabbed the boys, Khawaja writes. The guard asked what had been said, but his mother did not respond, only tears flowing from her eyes. The boys were taken to a holding room and the guard asked if she wanted to press charges, but Khawaja says his mother declined, telling the guard: “No, I don't want to ruin their lives over one small incident. Let them go.”
According to Khawaja's account, his brother told the boys: "Do you know who you just abused? That's Usman Khawaja's mum." Khawaja says the boys looked more worried after this. He adds that the incident showed some people see what they want to see: someone with a hijab is not seen as Australian but as "terrorist", "outsider", "immigrant", "enemy".
The memoir also recounts a meeting Khawaja had in August 2025 with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for sanctions on Israel. Khawaja writes that the day before the scheduled meeting, Albanese cancelled, and he spoke on radio. He says he texted Treasurer Jim Chalmers, a friend he has known for a few years, who five minutes later told him to meet in the PM's office.
Khawaja writes that he asked Albanese hard questions and the meeting got heated at one point, but there was mutual respect. According to the extract, the PM refused to accept that taking action against Israel in terms of sanctions would serve a purpose. Khawaja writes that he agreed it would not make a material difference, but argued that was not the point: it was about making a statement and showing where Australia stood, and that the country would not stand with a war criminal.
The book, Sabr, is published by Penguin Random House and available from November 10.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights ongoing Islamophobia and racism in Australian public spaces, even at major sporting events, and raises questions about social cohesion
- Khawaja's account of his meeting with the PM reveals the political sensitivity of Australia's position on the Gaza conflict and the domestic pressure on the government to take stronger action
- The memoir adds to a growing public debate about racism in Australian cricket and society
Background
Usman Khawaja, 38, is a veteran Australian Test cricketer of Pakistani heritage. He has been an outspoken advocate on social issues including racism, Islamophobia and the war in Gaza. The Boxing Day Test against India in 2024 was also notable for the debut of Sam Konstas, who scored 60 off 65 balls on the first day. Khawaja has previously been involved in controversy for wearing messages on his shoes during Tests, including "All lives are equal".
Key Perspectives
Usman Khawaja: His memoir recounts the racist abuse his mother suffered at the MCG, and details a "heated" meeting with Prime Minister Albanese in August 2025 where he pushed for sanctions on Israel over Gaza.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: According to Khawaja's account, the PM refused to accept that sanctions against Israel would serve a purpose. Khawaja writes that there was mutual respect but that he asked hard questions.
What to Watch
- Further public and political reaction to Khawaja's memoir, particularly to his account of the meeting with Albanese
- Whether the incident at the MCG prompts any policy response or renewed discussion about safety and racism at sporting events
- Australia's ongoing position on Israel-Gaza and any domestic political fallout
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedKhawaja’s mother told the guard, “No, I don’t want to ruin their lives over one small incident. Let them go.”The Age - Latest News: “with love she said, “No, I don’t want to ruin their lives over one small incident. Let them go.””
- SupportedKhawaja’s brother told the boys, “Do you know who you just abused? That's Usman Khawaja's mum.”The Age - Latest News: “My brother went over to them and said, “Do you know who you just abused? That’s Usman Khawaja’s mum.””
- SupportedKhawaja’s mother was attacked at the 2024 Boxing Day Test against India.The Age - Latest News: “The 2024 Boxing Day Test against India, and particularly the first day, will always be remembered for what Sam Konstas did that first morning of his debut Test: 60 off 65 balls in an hour and a half. But I’ll always think of it as the time my mum got attacked at a match.”
- SupportedThe boys attacked her because she was wearing a hijab.The Age - Latest News: “She was walking down the members’ race during play with my brother, when two young white boys aged around 17 or 18 came up behind her from both sides, one screaming into her left ear and the other into her right – all because she was wearing a hijab.”
- SupportedTwo boys aged around 17 or 18 screamed into each of her ears.The Age - Latest News: “two young white boys aged around 17 or 18 came up behind her from both sides, one screaming into her left ear and the other into her right”
- SupportedKhawaja wrote that people may see someone wearing a hijab as a “terrorist”, “outsider”, “immigrant” or “enemy”, rather than as Australian.The Age - Latest News: “When they see someone with a hijab, they don’t see “Australian”. They see “terrorist”, “outsider”, “immigrant”, “enemy”.”
- SupportedKhawaja met Albanese in August 2025 in Canberra to push for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and sanctions on Israel.The Age - Latest News: “Because of the situation in Gaza, I got a meeting in August 2025 with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. I went to Canberra to push the case for an immediate ceasefire and to call for sanctions on Israel.”
- SupportedAlbanese cancelled the scheduled meeting the day before, and Khawaja then spoke on radio.The Age - Latest News: “Stunningly, the day before the scheduled meeting with the PM, he cancelled on me. I went on the radio and spoke my mind.”
- SupportedKhawaja texted Treasurer Jim Chalmers, whom he had known for a few years, and five minutes later Chalmers told him to meet in the PM’s office.The Age - Latest News: “I texted my mate Jim Chalmers (a member of the local electorate near me and someone I’ve known for a few years – he’s the treasurer of Australia) ... Five minutes later, Jim said, “Meet me in the PM’s office.””
- SupportedKhawaja said he asked Albanese hard questions, the meeting got heated, and there was mutual respect.The Age - Latest News: “I asked him some hard questions, and it did get heated at one point, but there was a mutual respect and still is.”
- SupportedKhawaja said Albanese refused to accept that sanctions on Netanyahu or Israel would serve a purpose.The Age - Latest News: “The PM refused to accept that doing anything to Netanyahu or Israel in terms of sanctions would serve a purpose.”
- SupportedKhawaja agreed sanctions would not make a material difference.The Age - Latest News: “I agreed it wouldn’t make a material difference, but I said that wasn’t the point.”