WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- An American basketball player has converted to Islam after playing for the Qalandia basketball league in Palestine.
Ahmad Young’s spiritual transformation is said to have deeply been influenced by his experiences during the holy month of Ramadan and the hospitality of the Palestinian people.
In video footage circulating on social media, Young could be seen uttering the Shahadah, or proclamation of Islamic faith, surrounded by fellow team members who then embrace the player as they later celebrate this joyous occasion.
Young’s transition from the Californian collegiate courts to Club Qalandia in Palestine represents a significant stride in his career, while his admiration for the hospitable culture of Palestine marks his personal journey.
Before making his move to Palestine, Young was a notable figure in Californian collegiate basketball.
On November 2, he signed a professional agreement to join Club Qalandia, a team under the auspices of the Palestinian Basketball Federation (PBF).
The team operates out of Ramallah, Palestine, which is situated approximately forty minutes to the north of the revered city of Al-Quds.