By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: The first exhibition dedicated to the boxing legend and activist Muhammad Ali, since his death, opens in Qatar on Thursday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
‘Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend,’ the temporary exhibition is curated by Qatar Museums’ 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum and presents a unique collection of artefacts from the boxing legend’s career.
The significant artefacts include Ali’s momentous ‘draft exemption’ letter exhibited for the first time- on loan - on the 50th anniversary since he wrote it. In this letter, addressed the US Selective Service Directorate on August 23, 1966, Ali refused his ‘draft call up’ to the US armed forces to fight in Vietnam.
Arguably it is a letter which changed history.
The exhibition also showcases photographs and a video of Ali’s visit to Qatar in 1971 and 1990.
The exhibition held under the patronage of Qatar Museums Chairperson, HE Sheikha AI Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa AI Thani, is on show in MIA’s fourth floor eastern gallery.
“This is the first significant exhibition dedicated to the A walk through the exhibition will see great movements of Ali’s career , including photography from Ali’s outdoor exhibition bout at the Doha Stadium in 1971,” said Mohammed Al Othman, Director of Public and International relations at Qatar Museums.
The significant Other notable memorabilia on display in ‘ Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend’ spans Ali’s journey to the 1960 Rome Olympics (where he won a gold medal); Ali’s two world title winning bouts against Sonny Liston in 1964; the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ fight in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974, where Ali regained his heavyweight crown from George Foreman; and his final world title winning fight against Leon Spinks in New Orleans in 1978.
Khalid Yousef AI Ibrahim, Consultant at Qatar Museums, said, “We are pleased to organise this innovative exhibition and to show our important collection ahead of it moving into the 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports museum’s permanent home at Khalifa International Stadium. For many in Qatar and throughout the Arab world, Muhammad Ali truly was ‘the greatest’ - an icon and inspiration as an athlete and a man. This retrospective celebrates that, and his life following his sad passing.”
Ali, ne Cassius Clay, died on June 3 at the age of 74. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century.
From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring figure both inside and outside the ring.
He made his professional debut on October 29, 1960, winning a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker.
From then until the end of 1963, Clay amassed a record of 19–0 with 15 wins by knockout.
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