Sydney’s Bondi Beach saw a deadly mass shooting during Hanukkah. Usman Khawaja’s family faced Islamophobic abuse, prompting calls for unity against racism and antisemitism.
Australia was in shock following one of its deadliest mass shootings in nearly thirty years, which occurred at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14. During a Hanukkah celebration, fifteen people were killed when two gunmen, Sajeed Akram and his son Naveed, opened fire on the crowd. The tragedy sent ripples of grief and condemnation throughout the country and drew solidarity from various communities worldwide.
In the midst of national mourning, the family of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, who is participating in the Ashes series, faced a surge of online abuse. Khawaja, a prominent Muslim athlete, has not addressed the hateful comments publicly, but his wife Rachel Khawaja shared the disturbing messages they received. “I’ve collected a small sample of some of the comments we have received over the past week,” she posted. “I would love to say this is new, but sadly we have always received these kinds of messages. But of course, they have gotten worse.”
The abuse extended beyond the couple, targeting their children with particularly offensive language. Messages referred to their daughters as “future school blasters” and “cancer terr***** blood”, while others demanded they “go home” to Pakistan. These remarks highlighted how grief and fear can quickly turn into Islamophobia and racism.
Rachel Khawaja called for unity and collective responsibility during this tense time. “It is important now more than ever that we continue to come together and stay united,” she stated. “Whether it’s standing up against antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racism, we shouldn’t stand for any of it.”
Usman Khawaja had earlier expressed his sorrow over the attack, posting a heartfelt message to those affected. “To the whole Bondi and Jewish community. Two horrible crimes in two years. Truly devastating news from Bondi today,” he wrote, accompanied by a broken-heart emoji. “Lives lost senselessly, families shattered, the Bondi community traumatised. There are no words-only heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with all affected.”
Khawaja also shared a statement from the Jewish Council of Australia, which voiced its devastation following the shooting. “We are horrified and shaken in the wake of the mass shooting at a Chanukah event in Bondi this evening, which has left at least 10 people dead and injured many more,” the council stated.