The National Council of Canadian Muslims is calling for an apology and dialogue after Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander shared anti-Muslim videos on social media, CBC reports.

Steven Zhou, the council’s media and communications lead, described the posts as disappointing and “very disconcerting,” but said there was an opportunity to build a stronger relationship through education.

“Above all, I think everybody wants to see an apology from him,” Zhou said Monday, according to reporting by CBC’s Gregory Strong and Sadeen Mohsen.

Santander shared the videos after last Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections and deleted them two days later. The videos included a preacher disparaging Muslims and a suggestion that Sharia law would be imposed on the United States following Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate election victory in Michigan.

CBC reported that a message left with Santander’s agent and sports management company was not immediately returned.

The Blue Jays issued a statement Friday saying baseball is for everyone and that the club has created an inclusive experience for fans.

“Individual comments do not represent our organization’s values and beliefs,” the team said.

Some Muslim fans told CBC that the response fell short. Emad Ahmed, a 26-year-old influencer from Oakville, said he was “appalled” by the posts and that such behaviour makes the sport less welcoming.

Abdul Murad, commissioner of the Toronto-area One Ummah Softball league, said he had not expected to see a player from a team he loved sharing those sentiments. He said many Muslim fans were upset by the team’s statement and the lack of an announced reprimand.

It remained unclear whether Santander would face consequences. General manager Ross Atkins was scheduled to speak with reporters Tuesday at Major League Baseball’s general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, a team spokesperson told CBC.

Zhou said the council was open to meeting with both Santander and the club’s ownership.

“Our doors are absolutely open,” he said. “We want to meet the player. We want to meet the ownership. We want to develop something going forward.”

Sources