Members of Brooklyn’s Muslim and Jewish communities came together Sunday to make friends and play some basketball at Floyd Bennett Field, KTSM reported.
“This was one of the most special camps that I had this summer,” Turkish Muslim player Enes Kanter told KTSM.
“Obviously I was very sad that the El Paso shooting happened… that’s why I came here, (I) just wanted to hang out with the kids and put a smile on their faces. It’s definitely been priceless.”
It’s so sad that Antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise in our world.
We need to leave our differences on the table and trying to find what we have in common.
It’s all about building bridges, connecting communities and continue to spread the LOVE ♥️☪️?✡️ #Together ? pic.twitter.com/kCs6egxB0c
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) September 9, 2019
Kanter, a 7-foot center for the Boston Celtics, has always been active in giving back to communities across the country.
He voiced his support for El Paso following the Aug. 3 shooting, but what he did Saturday morning at Hanks High School was even more impressive and impactful.
Devastated to hear about what happened in #ElPaso today! ?
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of todays tragedy. ?
Enough is enough! ?
We must come together!Evil will NOT win.
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) August 4, 2019
Kanter hosted a free basketball camp to show his support for El Paso and the Walmart shooting victims.
The NBA star and his team covered all costs of the camp and their own travel to the Sun City and had fun with kids ages eight to 18.
He also donated to the Victims Relief Fund to help those affected by the tragedy.
.@celtics center @EnesKanter is in El Paso today hosting a free #ElPasoStrong basketball camp. Kanter is active in his support of mass shooting victims. He paid for all the costs of today’s camp, plus donated to the Victim’s Relief Fund. He’s hosted 40+ free ? camps all summer. pic.twitter.com/ZJHPzwLMzF
— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) September 7, 2019
Kanter was born in Switzerland to a Muslim-faith family originally from Turkey, where the majority of people are Muslim.
He is not the only Muslim player in the American national basketball competition.
Along with Kanter, Muslim players include Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng, Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters, Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu and center Jusuf Nurkic.
Other players include, New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik, Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova and guard Dennis Schroder, Dallas Mavericks center Salah Mejri, Milwaukee Bucks forward Mirza Teletovic and Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae-Hollis Jefferson.
