Religion - Muhammed Ali
Early Life
Born in 1942
Born in Kentucky and was named Cassius Clay
Took up boxing in high school and won an Olympic Gold
Medal at the 1960 Olympics
His mother was Christian and his father Muslim
Although raised in the Christian Faith Muhammad
Ali practiced the Islamic faith
Dedication To His Faith
Ali was a devout Muslim so prayer played
an important role in his life
He performed Salat five times a day.
He prayed in the mosque on Fridays
He even performed prayer in the boxing
ring.
His Career
Won an Olympic Gold medal at 18 in the 1960s Olympics.
He became the world heavyweight boxing
champion in 1964
He took up boxing in high school
He refused to fight in the Vietnam War
in the 1960s and this stand had a huge impact on his life and career. It cost him his heavyweight crown and he was banned from the ring for 3 and a half years.
His Values
Peaceful
Determined
Non-Violent
Generous
Strong
Kind
Dedicated
Athletic
Energetic
Brave
Showed Integrity
Resilient
Impact that he had on the World
Ali died in 2016
He was buried in a traditional Muslim
service with Muslims standing in line divide by gender as they recited prayers.
The coffin was facing Mecca
More than 14,000 people attended his funeral service.
In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease and campaigned to raise awareness of the condition and to get funding for research.
He was very active in humanitarian causes.
He visited Ground Zero in New York after the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001.
He was involved in a number of charitable
foundations, including Athletes for Hope, Special Olympics, UNICEF and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.