Page 7 The Islamic Bulletin Volume XXX No. 30 He even increased the active role in pursuing justice all over the world. With time the disease severely affected his mobility and his speech. “We as Muslims have to stand up against those who use Islam to advance their own personal gain,” – Ali has said. He remembered that though he was great, he was not The Greatest; that he was a servant of Allah (SWT). On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali returned to his Lord. He is one of the most famous, most loved and most written about public figures in the last century. He has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine 30 times. He lit the Olympic Torch in the 1996 Atlanta Games and was the first Muslim to do so. To his last breath he challenged America to live up to its promises and refused to accept the unjust imposition of class and race. The former Attorney general of the United States, Eric Holder said, “his biggest win came not in the ring, but in our courts in his fight for his beliefs.” He never ceased to be an example to all and constantly reminded the people of Allah and the Islamic faith. He spoke the truth, he was never ashamed to be pious and he felt as much at home in the palaces that he visited as he did in the humble homes of the people of his home town. He knew how to handle the pressures of fame and the obligations that fame bring. He managed to channel his fame to a good purpose and lived his life according to his faith and the principles of Islam. This ambassador to humanity always managed to practice what he preached in every sphere of his life. Muhammad Ali was buried in his home town of Louisville Kentucky. An estimated 100,000 people holding signs and chanting, “Ali!Ali!” lined up the streets as he was carried to his final resting place. His headstone was simple in keeping with Muslim tradition. Muhammed Ali was a Champion for all people and will be remembered fondly . “Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return.” (Quran 2:156) We ask Allah to have Mercy on him, forgive his sins and grant him the highest level in paradise, Jannat Al Firdous. Ameen. Ibtihaj Muhammad Fencing Champion A five-time Senior World team medalist and 2014 Senior World Team Champion, Ibtihaj Muhammad will make history in Rio de Janeiro this summer as the first U.S. woman to compete in the Olympic Game with a hijab. Ranked No. 7 in the world during the 2015-16 season, Muhammad has won both individual and team medals on the World Cup circuit. As a Muslim youth, Muhammad’s parents were in search of a sport for her to play where she could be fully covered. Growing up in New Jersey, Muhammad’s after-school schedule was a round robin of youth sports: swimming, volleyball, tennis, softball, and track. But she always seemed to stand out on the court, field or pool deck, because her religion prevented her from wearing a uniform that didn’t cover her arms, legs and head. She was teased, even harassed. Then, while driving past the local high school, she and her mother saw girls wearing fully covered uniforms. Muhammed’s mother turned to her daughter said, “I don’t know what that is, but when you get to high school, you’re doing it.” Fencing provided a unique opportunity where Muhammad could fulfill her desire to participate in a sport, while still adhere to the tenants of her faith to cover her body. She began fencing at age 13 and now at 30, Muhammad is set to be the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. And while competitors in other sports have had to fight to be able to dress according to their religion, Muhammad deftly worked her way up the international fencing rankings without having to defend the way she dresses. Muhammad trains in New York City at the Peter Westbrook Foundation, an organization founded by Olympian Peter Westbrook to mentor inner-city kids through the sport of fencing. Westbrook said, “She has something in her that it takes in real champions, that unbelievable will to win.” Muhammad graduated from Duke University with a dual major in international relations and African studies, and a minor in Arabic. In 2014, Muhammad launched her own clothing company, Louella, which aims to bring modest fashionable clothing to the United States market. She also is a sports ambassador, where she serves on the U.S. Department of State’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative. She has traveled to various countries to engage in dialogue on the importance of sports and education. The Greatest Champion Of All Times Muhammad Ali 1942-2016
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