Anti-Muslim Talk: Mohammed Ali Knocks Trump

Mohammed Ali (right), celebrating after winning a fight

Boxing legend
Muhammad Ali has criticised US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering America.
Without naming Mr Trump, Mr Ali said that Muslims “have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda”.
The three-time world heavyweight champion, 73, is a cultural icon and one of the world’s most famous Muslims.
Mr Trump says he will never leave the race, despite widespread criticism.
The White House had said that his comments about Muslims “disqualified” him from running for the presidency.
Mr Ali’s statement was directed at “presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigrants to the United States”.
“They have alienated many from learning about Islam,” he said.
Image copyright PA Image caption Mr Trump has not backed down from his comments about Muslims Image copyright AFP Image caption Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg has pledged his solidarity with Muslims
The former heavyweight champion also strongly criticised violence committed by jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group.
“True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion,” he said.
“These misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is.”
“After the Paris attacks and hate this week, I can only imagine the fear Muslims feel that they will be persecuted for the actions of others,” he wrote.
“As a Jew, my parents taught me that we must stand up against attacks on all communities. If you’re a Muslim in this community, as the leader of Facebook I want you to know that you are always welcome here and that we will fight to protect your rights.”
Mr Ali in his statement said there was “nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world”.
The former boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, after quitting the sport. Born by the name of Cassius Clay, he converted to Islam and changed his name in 1964.
His statement comes after President Barack Obama’s delivered address to the nation last Sunday night, in which he called on Americans to turn away from discrimination.
Image copyright AP Image caption Mr Trump received an award named after the former heavyweight champion in Arizona in 2007