They All Contain Water

By Gary Meenaghan, *Boxing was Allah's way of getting me fame to do something bigger* - Emirates Business 24/7 - Dubai, UAE
Friday, September 18, 2009

From biographies to big-screen adaptations, Muhammad Ali is without doubt the most prominent Muslim in sporting history.

His story has become an allegory of an underdog's rise to prominence: young black baptist boy grows up in America's Deep South to become world champion, an Islamic convert and break down barriers between race and religion.

Born as Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, the oldest son of an abolitionist father started boxing aged 12 after his red-and-white Schwinn bike was stolen. Clay told a local policeman in vivid detail exactly what he would do when he caught the thieves who stole his $60 bike. Joe Martin listened to the young boy before advising him to visit his gym where he trained aspiring boxers.

Martin trained Clay for six years, in which time his student won two national titles and an Olympic gold medal.

Christine Martin, Joe's wife, later recalled: "I was about as involved as Joe, except for the actual training. I would drive those boys everywhere. Indianapolis, Chicago, Toledo… "On trips, most of the boys were out looking around, seeing what they could get into, whistling at pretty girls. But Cassius didn't believe in that. He carried his Bible everywhere he went, and while the other boys were out looking around, he was sitting and reading his Bible."

Clay turned professional within two months of his Olympic victory in 1960 and harboured the dream of becoming heavyweight champion of the world.

His dream came true four years later when, aged 22, he beat Sonny Liston – and the odds – to claim the title. Yet, it would later be revealed, the fight almost never happened due to Clay's decision to join Elijah Muhammad's controversial Nation of Islam. Fight promoter Bob Faversham pleaded with Clay before the bout to postpone his announcement as a Nation of Islam convert until after the fight, or else face his title-fight being cancelled. Clay agreed and the fight went ahead, with the 'Louisville Lip' being awarded the WBA and WBC titles when Liston failed to answer the bell for the seventh round. The underdog emerged victorious.

On March 6, 1964, it was announced on national radio that Cassius Clay had changed his name to Muhammad Ali: Muhammad meaning "one who is worthy of praise" and Ali being the fourth Righteous Caliph.

Ali's conversion caused controversy due to mainstream America's suspicion and misconceptions of the Nation of Islam, as well as Elijah Muhammad's outspoken views on separatism. The negative press didn't bother him though, insisting: "I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want to be and think what I want to think."

The backlash continued when he refused to fight in Vietnam on the grounds it was against his faith.

"War is against the teachings of the Holy Koran. I'm not trying to dodge the draft," he explained. "We are not supposed to take part in wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger."

Ali was stripped of his titles in 1967 for his refusal to be inducted into the US Armed Forces and it took him until 1974, at the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" in Kinshasha, Zaire, before he managed to regain his titles.

The decision to host Ali's fight with George Foreman, one of the biggest fights in history, in central Africa, was questioned, but again Ali looked to God for the answers.

"Boxing was Allah's way of getting me fame to do something bigger," he said. "Allah, God... I'm his tool... My purpose is for my people. And I can help with just one fight."

Ali had travelled extensively in the years between his title fights. In the summer of 1969 he visited Abu Dhabi on his way to Mecca and other holy Islamic sites. Little is known of his short stay in the region, but he described to Saudi newspaper Al Madinah years later the emotions he felt during his visit. "I've had many nice moments in my life, but the feelings I had while standing on Mount Arafat on the day of Hajj was the most unique."

Having reclaimed his titles, Ali went on to defend them 10 times. It was during this period he converted from the Nation of Islam sect to become a Sunni Muslim.

Since his retirement in 1981, Ali has been involved with several charitable projects, most prominently the creation of the Muhammad Ali Centre in his hometown of Louisville.Together with wife Lonnie, Ali founded the centre in 2005 with the aim to reach beyond its physical walls and promote respect, hope and understanding, regardless of race and religion.

Despite his early views on separatism and inter-racial relationships while following the Nation of Islam, Ali is now an ardent advocate for an egalitarian society. Having embraced the spiritual practices of Sufism in 2005, Ali is keen to promote commonalities between religions rather than differences. "If you're a good Muslim, if you're a good Christian, if you're a good Jew; it doesn't matter what religion you are," he once said.

"If you're a good person you'll receive God's blessing. "Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams – they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do – they all contain truths."

Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, Ali's condition has deteriorated to the extent he no longer speaks to media. In a rare public appearance earlier this year, the 67-year-old visited the United Kingdom and Ireland to raise money for the Ali Centre. The Centre's CEO Greg Roberts said it is Ali's conviction and dedication to helping people in need that ensures he is so loved.

"He is humble and compassionate. He cares about the underdogs of the world. These are the qualities that make Muhammad 'The Greatest'," said Roberts.

Ali, however, would disagree. "Allah is the greatest," he quipped once, before adding with a trademark grin, "I'm just the greatest boxer."

Picture: Whenever Ali travelled, he would always ask where the nearest mosque could be found. In this stock picture, the world champion is at a training camp in Deer Lake, Connecticut. Photo: AFP