
I had the great opportunity of meeting him and listening to an electrifying speech during his memorable visit to Bangladesh in 1978. I was lucky enough to be seated at a close range in the large stadium. Then I had yet another rare opportunity of speaking with him in USA over the telephone in the early nineties. The phone meeting had been coordinated by his wife Lonnie Ali and one of his friends. Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's disease, which was diagnosed in 1984, had progressed considerably over the years. As a result his audience and visitors had to be strictly limited. I consider myself a very fortunate one for gaining an access to him in spite of the limitations imposed by his illness. I introduced myself as a human rights' activist and an immigrant from Bangladesh. I spoke briefly of his historic visit to my motherland. He said that he certainly remembered the heartfelt welcoming he had received from all segments of people of the country. Despite the Parkinson's disease which slurred his speech, his deep passion undergirded his words. When I asked him what his message would be for the youth. He responded, "Prayer...prayer is the answer to many problems our youth are facing today. Sister, please tell our youth to pray to the Merciful God......"In spite of his legendary fame and success, Muhammad Ali never swayed from his faith deeply rooted in compassion for people irrespective of their race, faith, gender and class. He believed in cultivating our spiritual core in order to reclaim our true selves. His spiritual evolution from the sectarian Nation of Islam to the main stream universal Islam and his delve into the teachings of the Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan in later years reflected on his emergence as a peace and reconciliation hero, champion of the poor and help lesson a global level. As he battled with his illness so did he progress spiritually over the years. In the end he was transformed in to a world citizen. His examples can serve against those who misuse religion and kill innocent people.
Muhammad Ali won his first Olympic Gold Medal at age eighteen in 1960 and earned his first world boxing heavy weight championship defeating the "unbeatable" Sonny Liston in 1964. Ali, born in Louisville, Kentucky as Cassius Clay (January 17, 1942) of humble African American descent, declared his conversion to the Nation of Islam soon after his victory against Liston. His unconventional tactic of overpowering his opponent through the psychological warfare, boastful claim, such as " I am the greatest", humorous poems, " float like a butterfly, sting like a bee..", swift speed and dance like stance at the boxing arena left millions stunned and entertained like no other sport champion before.

Muhammad Ali was sentenced to five years in prison with a ten thousand dollars fine. Yet he did not compromise his position in the least. He appealed to the court. In 1971, the US Supreme Court conceded in his favour. Ali emerged as victorious. But it was a different kind of a victory he achieved which transcended all the worldly gains and glories. It was a victory of human spirit, in all its beauty, and resilience. This was Muhammad Ali, a real great man who dared to walk the talk and inspired generations to come.
Sharmin Ahmad lives abroad and is the author of the work 'Tajuddin Ahmad: Neta O Pita'