Editing Muhammad Ali (section)

===Philanthropy, humanitarianism and politics===

Ali was known for being a humanitarian<ref name="sky">{{cite news |title=Muhammad Ali Handed Humanitarian Honour |url=https://news.sky.com/story/muhammad-ali-handed-humanitarian-honour-10470033 |work=[[Sky News]] |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=May 12, 2018 |archive-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080927/https://news.sky.com/story/muhammad-ali-handed-humanitarian-honour-10470033 |url-status=live }}</ref> and philanthropist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Ali |url=https://www.biography.com/people/muhammad-ali-9181165 |website=[[Biography.com]] |language=en-us |date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=May 12, 2018 |archive-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513003801/https://www.biography.com/people/muhammad-ali-9181165 |url-status=live }}</ref> He focused on practicing his [[Zakat|Islamic duty of charity]] and good deeds, donating millions to charity organizations and disadvantaged people of all religious backgrounds. It is estimated that Ali helped to feed more than 22{{nbsp}}million people afflicted by hunger across the world.<ref name="Christopher">{{cite book |last1=Christopher |first1=Paul J. |last2=Smith |first2=Alicia Marie |title=Greatest Sports Heroes of All Times: North American Edition |date=2006 |publisher=Encouragement Press, LLC |isbn=978-1-933766-09-6 |page=20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=81mybCXNstAC&pg=PA20 |language=en |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224609/https://books.google.com/books?id=81mybCXNstAC&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Early in his career, one of his main focuses was youth education. He spoke at several [[historically black colleges and universities]] about the importance of education and became the largest single black donor to the [[United Negro College Fund]] in 1967 by way of a $10,000 donation ($78,000 in 2020 USD). In late 1966, he also pledged to donate a total of $100,000 to the UNCF (specifically promising to donate much of the proceeds of his title defense against Cleveland Williams) and paid $4,500 per closed circuit installation at six HBCUs so they could watch his fights.<ref name="Ezra82"/>

Ali began visiting Africa, starting in 1964 when he visited Nigeria and [[Ghana]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36469288 |title=In pictures: Muhammad Ali's love affair with Africa |work=BBC News |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405012209/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36469288 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1974, he visited a [[Palestinian refugee]] camp in [[Southern Lebanon]], where Ali declared "support for the Palestinian struggle to liberate their homeland".<ref name="thenation">{{cite magazine |last=Zirin |first=Dave |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/andrew-cuomo-would-have-blacklisted-muhammad-ali/ |title=Andrew Cuomo Would Have Blacklisted Muhammad Ali |magazine=[[The Nation]] |date=June 8, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828102821/https://www.thenation.com/article/andrew-cuomo-would-have-blacklisted-muhammad-ali/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During that visit Ali also declared that the "United States is the stronghold of Zionism and imperialism."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zidan |first=Karim |title=We can all learn from Muhammad Ali's solidarity with Palestine |url=https://www.sportspolitika.news/p/muhammad-ali-palestine-israel-activism |date=November 21, 2023 |website=Sports Politika |access-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217084531/https://www.sportspolitika.news/p/muhammad-ali-palestine-israel-activism |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1978, following his loss to Spinks and before winning the rematch, Ali visited [[Bangladesh]] and received [[honorary citizenship]] there.<ref name="thenewinquiry.com2">{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2016 |title=Muhammad Ali, We Still Love You: Unsteady Dreams of a "Muslim International" |url=https://thenewinquiry.com/muhammad-ali-we-still-love-you/ |access-date=January 21, 2022 |website=The New Inquiry |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121190107/https://thenewinquiry.com/muhammad-ali-we-still-love-you/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rahman |first=Mizan |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/497055/Muhammad-Ali-s-forgotten-land-in-Bangladesh |title=Muhammad Ali's forgotten land in Bangladesh |work=[[Gulf Times]] |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912113146/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/497055/Muhammad-Ali-s-forgotten-land-in-Bangladesh |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="thenewinquiry.com">{{Cite web|date=June 19, 2016|title=Muhammad Ali, We Still Love You: Unsteady Dreams of a "Muslim International"|url=https://thenewinquiry.com/muhammad-ali-we-still-love-you/|access-date=January 21, 2022|website=The New Inquiry|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121190107/https://thenewinquiry.com/muhammad-ali-we-still-love-you/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, he participated in [[The Longest Walk]], a protest march in the United States in support of Native American rights, along with singer [[Stevie Wonder]] and actor [[Marlon Brando]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/06/04/greatest-muhammad-ali-walks-164692 |title='The Greatest' Muhammad Ali Walks On |publisher=[[Indian Country Today Media Network]] |last=Schilling |first=Vincent |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821134332/http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/06/04/greatest-muhammad-ali-walks-164692|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref>

In early 1980, Ali was recruited by President [[Jimmy Carter]] for a diplomatic mission to Africa, in an effort to persuade a number of African governments to join the US-led [[1980 Summer Olympics boycott|boycott]] of the [[Moscow Olympics]] in protest of the [[Soviet–Afghan War|Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]]. Having arrived in [[Tanzania]], Ali told cameras, "[[Soviet Russia|Russia]] is invading a Muslim country, Asiatic country," and that its probable intention to head to [[oil]]-rich [[Persia]] to take wells and ports "could lead to [[nuclear war]]. My purpose in coming here was to try to stop that."<ref>{{cite AV media | people=Fuqua, Antoine (director) | date=2019 | title=''[[What's My Name: Muhammad Ali]]: Part II'' | type=Motion picture | publisher=HBO}}</ref> However, according to Ali biographer Thomas Hauser, "at best, it was ill-conceived; at worst, a diplomatic disaster." The Tanzanian government was insulted that Carter had sent an athlete to discuss a serious political issue. One official asked whether the United States would "send [[Chris Evert]] to negotiate with London". Consequently, Ali was only received by the youth and culture minister, rather than President [[Julius Nyerere]]. Ali was unable to explain why the African countries should join the US boycott when it had failed to support the African boycott of the [[1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Olympics]] (in protest of [[Apartheid in South Africa]]), although neither did the [[Soviet Union]], and was unaware of the sentiment that the Soviet Union had backed some popular revolutions on the continent, although none of the countries on the itinerary were Soviet allies.<ref name="Hauser 2004 p397">{{Harvnb|Hauser|2004|p=397}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ezra |first=Michael |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/muhammad-ali-diplomat-213941 |title=Muhammad Ali's Strange, Failed Diplomatic Career  |magazine=[[Politico Magazine]] |date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401234340/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/muhammad-ali-diplomat-213941 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Nigerian government also rebuffed him and confirmed that they would be participating in the Moscow Games. Ali did, however, convince the government of [[Kenya]] to boycott the Soviet Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cuddihy |first=Martin |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-09/muhummad-ali-is-remembered-by-africa/7495452 |title=Muhammad Ali: Africa remembers the boxing legend |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905151738/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-09/muhummad-ali-is-remembered-by-africa/7495452 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 19, 1981, in Los Angeles, Ali talked a [[suicidal]] man down from jumping off a ninth-floor ledge, an event that made national news.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2016/06/the_time_muhammad_ali_stopped_a_man_from_leaping_to_his_death.html |title=The Time Muhammad Ali Stopped a Man From Leaping to His Death |first=Josh |last=Levin |work=Slate |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604153847/http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2016/06/the_time_muhammad_ali_stopped_a_man_from_leaping_to_his_death.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ali Talks Would-Be Jumper Off Ninth-Floor Fire Escape |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19810119&id=CRJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6956,2319132&hl=en |publisher=The Blade / Associated Press |date=January 20, 1981 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828091017/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19810119&id=CRJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6956%2C2319132&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:MuhammadAliundRonaldReagan.jpg|thumb|right|President [[Ronald Reagan]] with Ali in the [[Oval Office]] in 1983]]
In 1984, Ali announced his support for [[1984 United States presidential election|the re-election]] of United States President [[Ronald Reagan]]. When asked to elaborate on his endorsement of Reagan, Ali told reporters, "He's keeping God in schools and that's enough."<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Campaign Notes: Muhammad Ali Switches His Support to Reagan |agency=[[United Press International]] |date=October 3, 1984 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/03/us/campaign-notes-muhammad-ali-switches-his-support-to-reagan.html |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914091416/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/03/us/campaign-notes-muhammad-ali-switches-his-support-to-reagan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1985, he visited Israel to request the release of Muslim prisoners at [[Atlit detainee camp]], which Israel declined.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.jta.org/1985/06/28/archive/muhammad-ali-steps-into-ring |title=Muhammad Ali Steps into Ring |work=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |date=June 28, 1985 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914095112/http://archive.jta.org/1985/06/28/archive/muhammad-ali-steps-into-ring |url-status=live }}</ref>

Around 1987, the California Bicentennial Foundation for the U.S. Constitution selected Ali to personify the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]]. Ali rode on a float at the following year's [[Tournament of Roses Parade]], launching the U.S. Constitution's 200th birthday commemoration.<ref name="Liberty">{{cite web |title=Muhammad Ali 2012 Liberty Medal Ceremony |url=https://constitutioncenter.org/calendar/muhammad-ali-2012-liberty-medal-ceremony |publisher=[[National Constitution Center]] |access-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118064736/https://constitutioncenter.org/calendar/muhammad-ali-2012-liberty-medal-ceremony }}</ref> In 1988, during the [[First Intifada]], Ali participated in a Chicago rally in support of [[Palestinian territories|Palestine]].<ref name="thenation" /> The same year, he visited [[Sudan]] to raise awareness about the plight of [[famine]] victims.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khaled |first=Ali |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2016/06/04/How-Muhammad-Ali-became-a-sporting-hero-to-the-Arab-world.html |title=How Muhammad Ali became a sporting hero to the Arab world |publisher=[[Al Arabiya]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917203313/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2016/06/04/How-Muhammad-Ali-became-a-sporting-hero-to-the-Arab-world.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''[[Politico]]'', Ali supported [[Orrin Hatch]] politically.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/muhammad-ali-orrin-hatch-224132|title=Muhammad Ali and Orrin Hatch: An unlikely friendship|first=John|last=Bresnahan|website=Politico|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717055508/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/muhammad-ali-orrin-hatch-224132|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, he participated in an Indian charity event with the [[Muslim Educational Society]] in [[Kozhikode]], Kerala, along with [[Bollywood]] actor [[Dilip Kumar]].<ref name="timesofindia" /> 

[[File:Muhammad Ali 1997.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Ali in 1997]]
In 1990, Ali traveled to Iraq prior to the [[Gulf War]] and met with president [[Saddam Hussein]] in an attempt to negotiate the release of American hostages. Ali secured the release of the hostages, in exchange for promising Hussein that he would bring America "an honest account" of Iraq. Despite arranging the hostages' release, he received criticism from president [[George H. W. Bush]], and [[Joseph C. Wilson]], the highest-ranking American diplomat in Baghdad.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shenon |first1=Philip |title=MIDEAST TENSIONS; At Baghdad's Bazaar, Everyone Wants Hostages |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/27/world/mideast-tensions-at-baghdad-s-bazaar-everyone-wants-hostages.html |access-date=June 19, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=November 27, 1990 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221823/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/27/world/mideast-tensions-at-baghdad-s-bazaar-everyone-wants-hostages.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answercoalition.org/i_was_with_muhammad_ali_on_his_hostage_release_trip_to_iraq_and_the_media_has_it_all_wrong |title=I was with Muhammad Ali on his hostage-release trip to Iraq — and the media has it all wrong |publisher=ANSWER Coalition |author=Brian Becker |date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702011125/http://www.answercoalition.org/i_was_with_muhammad_ali_on_his_hostage_release_trip_to_iraq_and_the_media_has_it_all_wrong |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1994, Ali campaigned to the United States government to come to the aid of refugees afflicted by the [[Rwandan genocide]], and to donate to organizations helping Rwandan refugees.<ref name="Christopher" />

In 1996, he lit the flame at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in Atlanta, Georgia. It was watched by an estimated 3.5{{nbsp}}billion viewers worldwide.<ref name="Hajeski" />

After Ali met a lesbian couple who were fans of his in 1997, he smiled and said to friend and biographer Thomas Hauser, "They look like they're happy together." Hauser wrote about the story, "The thought that Liz and Roz (the lesbian couple he met) were happy pleased Muhammad. Ali wanted people to be happy."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hauser |first1=Thomas |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Muhammad Ali: They Look Like They're Happy Together |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/muhammad-ali-they-look-li_1_b_10517930 |access-date=September 21, 2020 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170533/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/muhammad-ali-they-look-li_1_b_10517930 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 17, 2002, Ali went to Afghanistan as the "[[United Nations|U.N. Messenger of Peace]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=5382&Cr=Muhammad&Cr1=Ali |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021213180823/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=5382&Cr=Muhammad&Cr1=Ali |archive-date=December 13, 2002 |title=UN Messenger of Peace Muhammad Ali arrives in Afghanistan |publisher=UN News Centre |date=December 13, 2002 |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref> He was in Kabul for a three-day goodwill mission as a special guest of the UN.<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=May 20, 2008 |url=http://www.life.com/image/1647010?epmid=1 |title=Muhammad Ali visits Kabul | magazine=LIFE |publisher=Getty Images |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316125459/http://www.life.com/image/1647010?epmid=1 |archive-date=March 16, 2010}}</ref>

On September 1, 2009, Ali visited [[Ennis]], County Clare, Ireland, the home of his great-grandfather, Abe Grady, who emigrated to the U.S. in the 1860s, eventually settling in Kentucky.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fightin-talk--as-ennis-awaits-mohammed-ali-1857049.html |title=Fightin' talk as Ennis awaits Muhammed Ali (''sic'') |date=August 12, 2009 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=August 26, 2009 |first=Brian |last=McDonald |archive-date=August 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815171334/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fightin-talk--as-ennis-awaits-mohammed-ali-1857049.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 27, 2012, Ali was a titular bearer of the Olympic flag during the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremonies]] of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London. He was helped to his feet by his wife Lonnie to stand before the flag due to his Parkinson's syndrome rendering him unable to carry it into the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/27/sport/olympics-muhammad-ali/index.html |title=Muhammad Ali returns to the Olympic stage, once again, in London |last=Wilson |first=Stan |date=July 28, 2012 |work=CNN|access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729023056/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/27/sport/olympics-muhammad-ali/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, he was awarded the [[Philadelphia Liberty Medal]] in recognition of his lifelong efforts in activism, philanthropy and humanitarianism.<ref name="Liberty" /><ref name="sky" />