A tribute to Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest” left this world but he will live forever in the minds of the people, not only as a boxing champion but as an exceptional human being, whose heart was filled with love, compassion and righteousness. He was not afraid of to speak out his mind and do what seems right to him. He touched many souls with his infinite kindness. Muhammad Ali also used to speak philosophically, once he said, “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” He had a special feeling for Bangladesh. He described Bangladesh as a ‘land of heaven’ when he visited here in 1978, meaning he was a nature lover too.
We pray for him, may he find eternal peace.
Nur Jahan
Chittagong
Ali, symbol of justice
Former World Boxing Champions Mohammad Ali breathed his last on Friday (US time 8am) in Phoenix, Arizona leaving behind millions of people to mourn his death. As he was a man of justice, he refused to join the US sponsored unjust war against the freedom loving Vietnamese. The US government did not accept it and influenced the World Boxing Association to stripe him of the world boxing title in 1967.
He was a Muslim and tried to uphold the image of Islam. He knew the philosophy of Islam and that is why he did not go to Vietnam to fight against the freedom loving people of that country. He lost his world title, which he regained by dint of his labour, merit, skill and patience.
Mohammad Ali, as boxer, made boxing a game of art. He used to dance like a butterfly in the ring – and it his specialty to maneuver his opponents and to give immense pleasure to the spectators. This was the reason that he was very popular through out the world.
To me, he will be remembered always for his refusing to join the war against the freedom loving people of Vietnam than becoming world boxing champion. There is lesson in him for others. Secondly, he maintained his religious belief all through and never deviated, even under heavy pressure.
We mourn his death. May Allah bless him.
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
