More than 4,000 people have been killed since 2004, when the decades-long conflict in Southern Thailand reignited. The violence, which is concentrated mostly in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, is part of a campaign to establish an independent Muslim state in the region.

On March 31, 15 people were killed and hundreds wounded in the cities of Yala and Hat Yai, in a terrorist bomb blast that was aimed at killing civilians.

However, despite the ongoing conflict, Thailand’s Pattani Football Club is bringing Muslims and Buddhists together, says the Express Tribune.

Pattani FC is a semi professional soccer club based in Pattani Province that plays in the Regional League Division 2 Southern.

Samae Samak, a Muslim member of the team, told the Tribune that the players “are not divided, whether Muslim, Buddhist or Christian. We are all friends.”

Pitsarok Rujakat, a Buddhist player, from northern Thailand, says “In Pattani, no matter how far away people live or if there have been incidents, they come to watch football matches.”