Rest in Power, Muhammad Ali!

Just a reminder to Muslim-Americans that Muhammad Ali didn’t earn his way into becoming one of the most beloved heroes in history by showing off how “American” he is and begging to be loved by his oppressors.

He loved himself. He was proud to be a Muslim. He taught the country that being “black is best.” He stood up for what he believed in based on religious convictions by refusing the draft in the Vietnam war, even if it meant he’d be strip of all his world boxing titles and fortune — even if he’d go to jail.

He made a name for himself by fighting the system rather than working with the system. He was proud to call himself Muhammad Ali. He feared no one, but Allah. He respected himself. But most importantly, he loved himself and loved Allah — and that love spread throughout the entire world for many generations to come.

You can’t convince a society to love and respect you if you don’t love and respect yourself. Be proud to be a Muslim. Refuse to be apologetic. Be Ali. Be the Greatest.

I hope my community remembers this under these hard times, and never will compromise their integrity and beliefs in order to feel “accepted” by a country they already call home.