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