“I used to be called a lot of names”: Usman Khawaja admits being initially judged by people in Australia for being an Asian Muslim

Racism, prejudices, or judging people based on certain stereotypes still find a place in modern societies across religions and nation-states. No amount of formal education can help us get rid of such value judgments unless we learn to empathize with people, or make up out minds to educate ourselves and unlearn the problematic traits we’ve acquired from our surroundings.

Southpaw Australian batter Usman Khawaja too, had been subjected to racial slurs, derogatory name-calling, especially during his initial days of growing up in Australia in the 1990s, as a Muslim who was born in Pakistan.

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The 36-year-old recently notched-up his highest Test score (195*) during the third Test match versus South Africa, and finished the series as the fourth-highest run-getter, scoring at an average of 69.66.

Khawaja, a few days ago, also admitted to have been stopped thrice at his hotel last year despite carrying the Australian kit, for not ‘looking like an Australian’.

You get use to it. I got stopped 3 times last year at our hotel, while in Australian Kit and asked if I was with the Australian Cricket team… 🤦🏾‍♂️#youdontlookaustralian😂 #orsotheysay https://t.co/XSpsX0KXdL

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 25, 2022

Usman Khawaja admits being initially judged by people in Australia

In the Amazon documentary series The Test, the second season of which is set to be released on January 13, Khawaja admitted being hurt and judged by the people for being an Asian Muslim during his growing days in Australia during the 1990s.

For those unaware, Khawaja had moved in the country along with his family when he was four years of age.

The 36-year-old remarked that due to people’s ignorance regarding the religion of Islam back then, they would assume him to being an Indian, and that Hinduism and Islam were actually the same thing.

“I grew up in Australia in the 1990s. They asked me why I don’t wear a turban. Because of that, I felt judged. I used to be called a lot of names. Curry muncher. Derogatory terms. I never let them show that it hurt me, but it did. Particularly if you look slightly different, you’re going to get people who try to bring you down, and you’ve got to have faith in yourself,” remarked Khawaja in The Test.