In Australian sport, few stories echo as deeply as that of Usman Khawaja. He is known for his calm presence at the crease, his graceful technique, and the quiet way he has built a legacy in a game that was not always welcoming.

But beyond the records and recognitions lies something more enduring — an example of how faith, humility and self-awareness can shape a career, a character, and a community.

Khawaja’s journey is well known, yet still deeply significant. He was the first Muslim and first player of Pakistani heritage to wear the baggy green for Australia.

In a sport shaped by tradition and longstanding norms, his presence stood out. He did not simply enter a team. He entered a system that had rarely made space for someone who looked like him, spoke like him, or prayed like him.

“I’m a Muslim coloured cricketer in Australia,” he says. “In a game that’s been very white-dominated for a long time, I had to break down a lot of barriers to get there.”

Those barriers were more than professional. They were emotional, personal, and cultural. Navigating them required more than talent. It required resilience. And that resilience, he says, came from one constant: his faith.

“My peace of mind is totally connected to my faith. One hundred percent,” he shares. “It’s the most important thing to my being.” In a world that is increasingly loud, fast, and performative, Khawaja’s steadiness stands apart.

He attributes it to Islam. “There’s a lot of uncertainty in cricket. A lot of uncertainty in life. But I believe in qadr. I believe everything is meant to be the way God intends it to be. Whether I love it or not at the time, I always believe it is for the best.”

This belief has carried him through the highs of international cricket and the disappointments that come with it. He has missed selection when he expected inclusion. He has watched from the sidelines when he was ready to contribute.

And yet, he has always stayed grounded. “Most of the worst things in my life have led to the best things,” he says. “Not always straight away. Sometimes six months, one year, two years down the track. But always, something better comes.”

It is this philosophy — one of trust, patience, and perspective — that makes Khawaja such a powerful ambassador for Salaam. Salaam is Australia’s leading Islamic finance and superannuation group.

It exists to provide ethical, Shariah-compliant financial options to Muslims and others who want their money to reflect their values. Like Khawaja, Salaam does not ask people to choose between their goals and their identity. It shows that both can be honoured, without compromise.

Khawaja’s alignment with Salaam is not transactional. It is personal. The values that shape his approach to life are the same ones that guide Salaam’s work. “People think I play cricket, so cricket must come first,” he says. “But it doesn’t. For me, it is always faith.”

That mindset is part of what makes Khawaja such a respected figure – not just in sport, but in the broader community. He carries himself with humility, even in moments of triumph.

One of those moments came during his return to the Test side at the SCG. After years away from the national team, he walked onto the field with more than a bat in hand. He carried the weight of expectation, and the quiet hopes of supporters who had waited to see him return.

“I reckon about 100 people came up to me before the game, wishing me well,” he recalls. “It was beautiful, but it brought pressure too. I thought, I better score some runs here.” And he did.

In what became one of the most emotional performances of his career, Khawaja scored centuries in both innings – something he had never done before. “It was the Ashes. The biggest series for us as Australians. To do it then, in front of that crowd, after being away for so long – it was really special.”

But it is not the numbers he talks about. It is the support. The energy. The kindness of strangers. “People were just genuinely happy that I was back. That meant more than anything.”

Khawaja’s strength lies not only in his performance, but in his character. He does not pretend to have it all figured out. In fact, he is quick to speak about the emotional growth he has had to go through.

“When I was younger, I struggled with my emotions. My parents taught me to be respectful, to be composed, to learn how to lose gracefully. That didn’t come naturally. I had to work at it.”

Over time, those lessons became part of him. “Now it’s instinct. I try not to give anything away on the field. If I’m anxious, or not feeling great, I don’t want the opposition to know. So I try to stay composed. That became my shield.” Today, that calm has become part of his public identity – admired by teammates, coaches and fans alike.

Still, Khawaja remains deeply human. He is open about his love for sport in all its forms – especially golf. “My wife would probably say I love golf more than cricket. She’s not far off,” he laughs. “I enjoy it because it’s quiet. No phones. No distractions. Just me, the wind, the course. It’s a break from everything else.”

Even with all he has achieved, he is not caught up in status. “I try to remind people – I’m just like you. I have good days and bad days. I go through challenges like everyone else.” It is that honesty that draws people in.

He remembers playing for club teams, long before the international spotlight. “You loved me then,” he says. “You loved me when I was playing for Queensland. You loved me when I was just a kid playing for Valleys. That unconditional love – that means the world to me.”

This connection to community is central to who he is. It mirrors Salaam’s commitment to serving people with empathy and purpose. Salaam is not just a financial product. It is a vision — one that empowers Muslims in Australia to make choices that reflect who they are. It is about more than returns. It is about integrity. It is about peace of mind.

For Khawaja, those values are everything. “No matter what I do in life, the personality traits I admire most are respect and humility. Respect for your family. Your teammates. Your elders. That is what I was taught at a young age, and that is what I try to live by.”

At a time when the world often rewards noise, Khawaja chooses stillness. In a culture that pushes people to perform at all costs, he centres himself in belief. In a game that has long valued a narrow definition of identity, he has expanded the frame – just by being himself.

Through his partnership with Salaam, Khawaja is doing more than promoting a service. He is making a statement. That faith and ambition are not in conflict. That you do not need to leave part of yourself behind to succeed. That peace of mind — the kind that comes from knowing your values are intact — is worth more than any trophy.

And for the thousands of young people watching, especially those who have never seen themselves reflected in the sports or systems around them, he offers something invaluable: permission to be fully and unapologetically who you are.

That is what Salaam stands for. That is what Khawaja lives. And that is the story that continues to inspire.

Republished from AMUST, 1 July 2025

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.