University of Virginia Library

Muhammad Ali To Speak
At University On May 16

Muhammad Ali, former Black
Muslim minister, who was stripped
of his world heavyweight championship
after being indicted for
refusing to answer the draft in
1967, will speak at University Hall
next Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m.,
Tickets are on sale at $1.25 per
person.

The talk is being sponsored by
the Black Students for Freedom
and is supported by the University
Union and PK-German dance societies.
According to the latest issue
of Sports Illustrated, Mr. Ali, now
27 years old, is reportedly interested
in returning to the ring.

The former minister was forbidden
to box by Elijah Muhammad,
leader of the Black Muslims,
and was later suspended from the
group for a year. It was the World
Boxing Association that deprived
Mr. Ali of his heavyweight title.

An outspoken defender of himself,
the Black Muslims and black
culture, Mr. Ali is presently under
indictment for rejecting the military
draft, and a court decision is
expected soon. The maximum
penalty he could incur is five years
in prison.

Reported to be wholly absorbed
in the Black Muslim philosophy,
Mr. Ali is highly responsive to
Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad's
commands.

In a speech before the United
States Student Press Association
last fall, the former fighter stressed
that black people must acquire land
and businesses in order to improve
their position in this country.

When pressed to offer an opinion
on the draft system. Mr. Ali
would only state his personal
opposition. He would not go so far
as to advocate that others share his
view, inasmuch as that could
further complicate his legal status.

What has been termed religious
fanaticism has apparently been a
motivating force in Mr. Ali's life.

The Sports Illustrated article
quoted a "close friend" of Mr. Ali
to the effect that he "will do right
and try to get back in the
Muslims."

The interview continued, "No
man ever loved his people more
than the champ...The Muslims told
him to divorce his wife so he
divorced her. They said get rid of
his friend Budini so he got rid of
her. They told him not to go into
the army and he refused to cross
the line..."