he White House
"Muhammad
Ali was The Greatest. Period. If you just asked him, he’d tell you.
He’d tell you he was the double greatest; that he’d 'handcuffed
lightning, thrown thunder into jail.'
But what made The Champ the greatest—what truly separated him from everyone else—is that everyone else would tell you pretty much the same thing.
Like everyone else on the planet, Michelle and I mourn his passing. But we’re also grateful to God for how fortunate we are to have known him, if just for a while; for how fortunate we all are that The Greatest chose to grace our time.
In my private study, just off the Oval Office, I keep a pair of his gloves on display, just under that iconic photograph of him—the young champ, just 22 years old, roaring like a lion over a fallen Sonny Liston. I was too young when it was taken to understand who he was—still Cassius Clay, already an Olympic Gold Medal winner, yet to set out on a spiritual journey that would lead him to his Muslim faith, exile him at the peak of his power, and set the stage for his return to greatness with a name as familiar to the downtrodden in the slums of Southeast Asia and the villages of Africa as it was to cheering crowds in Madison Square Garden.
'I am America,' he once declared. 'I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me—black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me.'
That’s the Ali I came to know as I came of age—not just as skilled a poet on the mic as he was a fighter in the ring, but a man who fought for what was right. A man who fought for us. He stood with King and Mandela; stood up when it was hard; spoke out when others wouldn’t. His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing. It would earn him enemies on the left and the right, make him reviled, and nearly send him to jail. But Ali stood his ground. And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today.
He wasn’t perfect, of course. For all his magic in the ring, he could be careless with his words, and full of contradictions as his faith evolved. But his wonderful, infectious, even innocent spirit ultimately won him more fans than foes—maybe because in him, we hoped to see something of ourselves. Later, as his physical powers ebbed, he became an even more powerful force for peace and reconciliation around the world. We saw a man who said he was so mean he’d make medicine sick reveal a soft spot, visiting children with illness and disability around the world, telling them they, too, could become the greatest. We watched a hero light a torch, and fight his greatest fight of all on the world stage once again; a battle against the disease that ravaged his body, but couldn’t take the spark from his eyes.
Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it. We are all better for it. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family, and we pray that the greatest fighter of them all finally rests in peace." —President Obama
But what made The Champ the greatest—what truly separated him from everyone else—is that everyone else would tell you pretty much the same thing.
Like everyone else on the planet, Michelle and I mourn his passing. But we’re also grateful to God for how fortunate we are to have known him, if just for a while; for how fortunate we all are that The Greatest chose to grace our time.
In my private study, just off the Oval Office, I keep a pair of his gloves on display, just under that iconic photograph of him—the young champ, just 22 years old, roaring like a lion over a fallen Sonny Liston. I was too young when it was taken to understand who he was—still Cassius Clay, already an Olympic Gold Medal winner, yet to set out on a spiritual journey that would lead him to his Muslim faith, exile him at the peak of his power, and set the stage for his return to greatness with a name as familiar to the downtrodden in the slums of Southeast Asia and the villages of Africa as it was to cheering crowds in Madison Square Garden.
'I am America,' he once declared. 'I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me—black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me.'
That’s the Ali I came to know as I came of age—not just as skilled a poet on the mic as he was a fighter in the ring, but a man who fought for what was right. A man who fought for us. He stood with King and Mandela; stood up when it was hard; spoke out when others wouldn’t. His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing. It would earn him enemies on the left and the right, make him reviled, and nearly send him to jail. But Ali stood his ground. And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today.
He wasn’t perfect, of course. For all his magic in the ring, he could be careless with his words, and full of contradictions as his faith evolved. But his wonderful, infectious, even innocent spirit ultimately won him more fans than foes—maybe because in him, we hoped to see something of ourselves. Later, as his physical powers ebbed, he became an even more powerful force for peace and reconciliation around the world. We saw a man who said he was so mean he’d make medicine sick reveal a soft spot, visiting children with illness and disability around the world, telling them they, too, could become the greatest. We watched a hero light a torch, and fight his greatest fight of all on the world stage once again; a battle against the disease that ravaged his body, but couldn’t take the spark from his eyes.
Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it. We are all better for it. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family, and we pray that the greatest fighter of them all finally rests in peace." —President Obama
Niloy Khan "I would like to be remembered as a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him.....who stood up for his beliefs....who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love." - MUHAMMAD ALI
Hamed Ramsey “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 mil...See More
Hamed Ramsey Nick Feliciano: On April 29, 1967, Muhammad Ali one of the greatest boxers in history was stripped of his world heavyweight title.
Ali refused to be drafted into the U.S. military to fight in the Vietnam War citing his religious beliefs. He was arrest...See More
Ali refused to be drafted into the U.S. military to fight in the Vietnam War citing his religious beliefs. He was arrest...See More
Ali El-Hallani Last night I had a dream, When I got to Africa,
I had one hell of a rumble.
I had to beat Tarzan’s behind first,...See More
I had one hell of a rumble.
I had to beat Tarzan’s behind first,...See More
Young Weez “Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means beloved of God, and I insist people use it when people speak to me and of me.”
During second Liston fight, 1965. ...See More
During second Liston fight, 1965. ...See More
Reza Rezai The man who taught the world success isnt only about winning medals or awards but in reality its all about winning Peoples' hearts
Cleusa Aparecida Leite Santos ... Impossible is just a big word used by poor people, who prefer to live in the world as it is, instead of using the power they have to change it, improve it.
Impossible is not a fact.
It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration....See More
Impossible is not a fact.
It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration....See More
Physician Harouna Shuaibu 0 Allah, forgive our brother # MuhammadAli and elevate his station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came before, and forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. Enlarge for him his grave and shed light upon him in it.
Aseged Yohannes 'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'Sad, sad news today. A sporting legend, who inspired millions, has lost his last fight.
Kaptan Saimon Halil Bill Russell said it best in 1967. "I'm not worried about Muhammad Ali. I'm worried about the rest of us." That still holds.
May Allah bless his soul… forgive him of his sins… make his grave a garden and grant him the highest levels of paradise….. Inshallah“
May Allah bless his soul… forgive him of his sins… make his grave a garden and grant him the highest levels of paradise….. Inshallah“
Ryz Peace Peace be with U President Obama. Thank you for sharing about The Champ! We stand together to bring the truth to light as the delusion and denial is revealed slowly but surely. We salute our Nobel Peace Prize winning President, as He finishes His term to bring hope to the World! You are also, a "powerful force for peace and reconciliation around the world"...be well and encouraged....peace
Donald Weber There are a lot of people who don't like President Obama simply because he's black they just don't say it out loud. Apparently being a closet racist is the only thing they know.
What’s not to like about this president? RECORD unemployment numbers, l...See More
What’s not to like about this president? RECORD unemployment numbers, l...See More
Qasim Imtiaz The word champion has never fit a man better. Muhammad Ali was a champion for peace, a champion for justice, and a champion for equality. He was a man who gained fame in a violent game, but immortality as a gentle and caring soul. In the ring, there was no one better, but his contributions to humanity managed to eclipse his boxing prowess.
Rest in peace Legend!
Rest in peace Legend!
Jenniemarie Ramirez Well said Mr President. Muhammad Ali kept fighting to the end and is now in the best ring ever. Hearing not the bell of the boxing ring but the bells rung by the Angels in heaven. Free at last. R.I.P.
Oways AL Qareni Condolences to Ali Family ... He fought a courageous fight as he did as a boxing champion and as one who stood for justices in Americans various social issues .
Waqas Safdar A great tribute indeed Mr. President, but unfortunately, you did all that what the legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali stood against for, he will be remembered for his humanity and you'll be remembered for the atrocities took place during your 8 years reign.. God bless the dead, Amen!
Rita Tanos Beautifully said. Underneath all of his toughness and strength lived a soft and gentle man whose kindness touched millions of hearts and souls. I will never forget that light inside Muhammad Ali's eyes. He was The Greatest!
Judea I. Lawton So beautifully written and so beautifully told. My condolences to the family. Muhammad Ali, May you rest in Peace and Power.
Phaysal NoTime What I loved about him among all was how he would let you understand that money and fame aint nothing if you didnt obey God...R.I.P legend wait for me in heaven Muhammad Ali
Mohammed Khalifa Omiesh Muslim muhammad Ali , we muslims Christians jews etc ... All of us proud of what you did , the whole world loves you .. Rip.
ππ»O Allah, forgive him and have mercy ohim and grant him peace and pardon him. Receive him with honour and make his place of...See More
ππ»O Allah, forgive him and have mercy ohim and grant him peace and pardon him. Receive him with honour and make his place of...See More
Precious Chidiebere May God rest his soul. We're indeed fortunate enough to be alive in this epoch in time. It's on us to make the most of life, live it rectitudinally on till we seize to inhale
Prahalad Rajagopalan My salute, respects and tributes to Muhammad Ali one of the greatest human to walk on the surface of Earth, a true Champ. RIP.
Masao Motomochi He has shown good courage not only during boxing in rings but during usual living out of rings. He made great progress for peace and against racial discrimination.
Avdo Gacevic I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.
Legend.
Legend.
Shereen Zall Hes with allah now, the most merciful the most kind. May he rest in peace. "Allah gave me this illness to show me that I'm not number one; he is" -Muhammad Ali. The world has lost a great legend. May we meet in paradise... π’❤π
Ramazan Oduncu If you would ask him what made him the greatest, his answer to this question was Islam. Rather than just sharing his photos, everyone should try to understand his life philosophy.
Becky Hauer I'm not a sports boxing fan. But, I'm all for what he represented to the world. President Obama stated this so well in the above writing. Thank you!
Ibtissem Hnifi Rest in peace Muhammad Ali. You were a true inspiration to the world.
Pat Cumberledge Much like Stuart Scott said about beating cancer, Mohammad Ali beat Parkinson's by how he lived, why he lived and in the manner in which he lived.
Richard Mckrieth I Didn't know him, i saw him on television πΊ and social media, i guess I am still learning new things in this life everyday, I just want to say one thing, my Respect and condolences goes out to all the family πͺ at this time, however I am a Different kind i am Rebel Artist controversial and unprecedented Artist π¨ and unprecedented political activist π πΊ πΌ worldwide news π°
Bushra Taj We will always feel proud of our Hero...May God place you at the high standards of paradise. ..Ameen.
Joshua L. Mayfield Wings of a Butterfly
By: Joshua L Mayfield
(Dedicated in memory of Muhammad Ali)...See More
By: Joshua L Mayfield
(Dedicated in memory of Muhammad Ali)...See More
Amine Berbale “I ain’t draft dodging. I ain’t burning no flag. I ain’t running to Canada. I’m staying right here. You want to send me to jail? Fine, you go right ahead. I’ve been in jail for 400 years. I could be there for 4 or 5 more, but I ain’t going no 10,000 mi...See More
Lugendo Lugazo Don't poison your soul with hate. It's too huge of a burden to carry. Learn to love & appreciate. It'll make u a better & happier person inshaAllah!
Lorena Anderson These are the best words I have ever heard about Ali. He was such a powerful man inside and outside the ring. Your words are so toughing and dear. Mohammed Ali will be missed. RIP Ali.
Omar Abuzaitoun I am America, a great meaning into words by the greatest. God bless him.
Ammar Khalid The world always remember good people , he was the greatest and will be remembered for his kind deeds and powerful words.
Sheriff Keita Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the rest of his family. May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace. Ameen.
Hashim Malable Though departed he left a light strong shine our way for the rest of his absence
Boven Mido ....and he was lucky to live long enough to see a black president .
Shoukathali Tnr Even the body gets tired the soul remains strong ,that was Muhammedali I knew
Rosanne Spadafina-Phillips I will miss Ali, and your intelligence and grace when you are no longer President.
Timothy Byers I had a picture from SI of Ali in my HS locker in 1969/70. This was at an all boys, Catholic, pretty much all white school in Chicago and never had a problem. Started and ended every school day with him.
Craig Alexander Peiss Thoughtful words as a tribute to a great man and a flawed human. Thank you Mr. President.
Francine Yvette Mandeville Ali was a great boxer, a man that helped and inspired so many, he struggled like all of us, he learned and did good. He followed his heart and refused to go to Vietnam. Ali had a most infectious and amazing spirit which inspired many to do better.
God bless you Ali and rest in peace in God's garden floating with His butterflies.
God bless you Ali and rest in peace in God's garden floating with His butterflies.
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