Conversion from native religion requires either a surrounding of people with a specified religion or an event that touches a person’s heart changing his or her entire perception of life. Instances of people changing religions are common. When one talks about such people, one name that instantly comes to mind is ‘Muhammad Ali’, a well-known figure in the history of boxing.
Formerly known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., he was born in the state of Louisville, Kentucky on Jan. 17, 1942. Brought up in the shadow of racism, he became immune to fear pursuing him to the skies of success in the boxing world. A fight against a crook made him realize his true calling, and he started to practice boxing six days a week with a serious intention to be a professional.
At the age of 18, his achievements skyrocketed when he competed in the National Tournament winning Golden Glove encouraging him to embark on the way to Olympics where his performance won him the Olympic Gold Medal in the light-heavyweight championship against the Zbigniew Pietrzyskowski from Poland. His fighting style won him fans as well who were completely behind the man who knew how to knockout the day light out of his opponents. He quickly moved up the ladder and eventually with his lightning speed and tactics he tamed the then heavyweight champion ‘Charles Liston’, to snatch the title from him.
In 1965, he converted to Islam the following day after winning the World Heavyweight Championship. He also announced his conversion and alliance to the ‘Nation of Islam’, a Black Muslim group led by ‘Elijah Muhammad’ who became Ali’s mentor and also helped him get his Muslim name.
This change was controversial and wasn’t applauded by the public as the group had the ideology of a separate black nation and was considered a racist group by many. He also got banned for not following the governmental orders, and got stripped off his heavyweight title in the era of Vietnam War, which made him stay out of the ring for 3 years.
Although his comeback, after the war, was to regain his title back, he was not as boastful as he used to be, but stronger than before; he regained his title in a bout against George Foreman in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ knocking him out to regain his pride. He topped his superiority with the first person in history to win three heavyweight titles, which was eventually succeeded by his retirement.
He had to eventually hang the boots on Dec. 21, 1981 after which he was found to be suffering from a degenerative neural disease named Parkinson’s syndrome. His social work earned him the President’s Award from the NAACP for his public service efforts. He is also present on the Hollywood walk of fame in a different style as his star is on a wall and not the ground.
His work includes donating millions of dollars to those in need and organizations of all religious denominations. Being a devout Muslim, he regularly performs prayers and go to a local mosque near his estate. More can be known about his life and career through his autobiography. This celebrity may have slackened with age, but he still floats like a butterfly.
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