Ali returns to boxing ring

Arab immigrant inspires young Americans

By Ehab Zahriyeh in New York, United States, for Silent Heroes, Invisible Bridges

Author:

Ehab Zehriyeh

As the crowd chants his name, one could not help but to reminisce of last time an 'Ali' was making headlines in the sport of boxing. The new 'Ali' is only 22 years old, but with his fast punch-combinations; Saddam Ali is flying to success.

"I feel good. And everybody's chanting my name, 'Ali! Ali!' And I don't remember the fights. Life is going by so fast," says Ali with a youthful smile.

Andre Rozier trains Ali and appreciates his determination and youthfulness.

"Saddam is a very gifted athlete and we work very hard in the gym, but he always brings a sense of humor and comedy to everything we do," says Rozier.

Saddam Ali busy in training with his coach - Photo by Ehab Zahriyeh

A scene from Ali's boxing gym in Brooklyn, New York City

Saddam Ali busy in training with his coach - Photo by Ehab Zahriyeh

A scene from Ali's boxing gym in Brooklyn, New York City

The young Yemeni-American is the first Arab to ever represent the United States in the Olympics, and the first American boxer since 1988. He did so as a proud American and a proud Arab.

He reminds the world of glorious days of his namesake Muhammad Ali who became three-time World Heavyweight Champion and widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers. Originally known as Cassius Clay, Ali changed his name after converting to Islam in 1975.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, to immigrant Muslim parents. Like many other Arab-Americans, Ali grew up in the post 9/11 era where anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments remain high. However, he has not allowed negativity to slow him down. Instead, he wants to show the world that his roots do not handicap him.

"Being Arab-American is different. Some people don't expect someone like me to become something big, and to make it to the Olympics . . . but it really doesn't matter who you are, what you are," says Ali.

Along with much of the Arab and Muslim world, Ali's family's homeland, Yemen, continues to break news with saddened stories of conflict and instability. Even the city he claims, New York, has had unrelenting controversial debates over the equal religious rights of Muslims surrounding building an Islamic Center near the World Trade Center site. Also, hate crimes against Arabs and Muslims in the US has been on a rise in recent years. Nonetheless, Ali represents a ray of hope for all Arabs and Muslims in the West. He fell short of winning the gold medal in the Olympics, but since then he has not looked back.