1. Muhammad Ali
Ali renounced Christianity and converted to Islam at 22. He no
longer used Cassius Clay, which he called his "slave name," but
instead used the name bestowed upon him by Nation of Islam
founder Elijah Muhammad.
Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay) nicknamed "The Greatest"
Was he “The Greatest"?
"I'm the most recognized and loved man that ever lived
cuz there weren't no satellites when Jesus and Moses
were around, so people far away in the villages didn't
know about them."
"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting
challenges, and I believed in myself."
"I'm young; I'm handsome; I'm fast. I can't possibly be
beat."
"If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—
then I can achieve it."
"It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am."
"If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up
and apologize."
"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was."
Boxer Mike Tyson, who shares the Muslim faith with Ali, tweeted:
"God came for his champion. So long great one."
2. Ali 1996, before lighting the Olympic flame at the Atlanta games, he
declared: "My mother was a Baptist. She believed Jesus was the son of
God, and I don’t believe that. But even though my mother had a
religion different from me, I believe that, on Judgment Day, my mother
will be in heaven.
It doesn’t matter what religion you are, if you’re a good person you’ll
receive God’s blessing. Muslims, Christians and Jews all serve the same
God. We just serve him in different ways.
