Usman Khawaja reveals mother was abused at Boxing Day Test, says he kept incident secret

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has disclosed that his mother was subjected to Islamophobic abuse at last year’s Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and said he kept the incident private until contributing a foreword to a government report on Islamophobia released Friday.

In the foreword to "A National Response to Islamophobia," Khawaja wrote that two young men walked behind his mother and screamed obscenities in both her ears simply because she was wearing a hijab. A security guard witnessed the episode, the men were detained and police were called, but Khawaja said his mother did not want to press the matter further.

"She was terrified. My mum was distraught. She did not know what to do as she was extremely frightened, shocked and upset by the incident," Khawaja wrote, according to his foreword. He said he and his family kept the episode quiet, including from his teammates, because his mother did not want to escalate the situation.

Khawaja described the broader challenge faced by hijab‑wearing Muslim women, saying they are visibly identified by their religion and can become targets for hate and prejudice. "I believe there is nothing more difficult than being a hijab wearing Muslim," he wrote. "As a Muslim man, no one knows what I am ... but a Muslim woman who covers her hair is out there for the world to see; she can't hide and she automatically becomes a target for hate and prejudice."

The 36‑year‑old left‑handed batsman, born in Pakistan, was the first Muslim to represent Australia in Test cricket. He has played more than 70 Tests, scored more than 5,000 runs at an average above 45 and registered three Ashes centuries. Khawaja said incidents of abuse linked to his background and faith have occurred throughout his career and that the attack on his mother brought the issue close to home.

Khawaja also described a personal precaution he takes when out in public with his parents: he purposely walks slightly behind them so he can see and respond if someone attempts to act out of hate. "Many times, I purposely walk slightly behind my parents in case someone tries to do something out of hate, just so I can see and respond and defend them adequately," he wrote.

In his foreword, Khawaja contrasted his mother's response to the episode with the prejudice it reflected. He quoted his mother as saying, "I don't want to ruin the rest of these boys' lives over one incident," and added that he respected her wishes to keep the matter quiet. "My mum's mercy was inspirational to see. Something she had learned from Islam, the religion of so‑called 'violence and hate.' But don't tell me Islamophobia doesn't exist," he wrote.

The disclosure comes as the Australian government released "A National Response to Islamophobia," a document intended to examine and recommend actions to address anti‑Muslim prejudice. Khawaja's contribution is among personal accounts included to illustrate the report's findings.

Cricket administrators and players have previously addressed issues of diversity and inclusion within the sport, and Khawaja has spoken publicly about his experiences as a Muslim athlete. He is expected to be a key figure for Australia in the upcoming Ashes series against England, which resumes in Australia this summer.

The allegation that two men verbally abused a spectator at the Boxing Day Test underscores ongoing concerns about spectator conduct at major sporting events. Stadium security detained the men at the time, according to Khawaja's account, and police were involved. Khawaja said he and his family chose not to pursue further legal action because of his mother's wishes.

Khawaja's account adds a high‑profile voice to debates about Islamophobia in Australia and the measures needed to protect minority communities at public gatherings. The government report that carries his foreword advocates a national approach to identifying and responding to anti‑Muslim prejudice, noting that personal testimonies can inform policy and public awareness.

Officials who authored the report did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Khawaja's revelation is likely to prompt renewed discussion among sporting bodies, law enforcement and policymakers about preventing and responding to hate incidents at sporting venues and in public spaces more broadly.