Muhammad Ali meets the Dalai Lama back in 2003

Muhammad Ali to meet Dalai Lama in Indiana

Published: Friday, July 25 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary
Muhammad Ali will meet the Dalai Lama when the exiled Tibetan leader visits Bloomington, Ind., in September.





Muhammad Ali will meet the Dalai Lama when the exiled Tibetan leader visits Bloomington, Ind., in September.

"It will be the first time the two have met," said the Dalai Lama's nephew, Jigme Norbu of Bloomington. "We're honored that he is taking the time and making the effort to be with us."

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Bloomington Sept. 7 to dedicate a new, 10,000-square-foot interfaith temple, the Chamtse Ling. It will be his fourth visit to Indiana University's hometown, about 50 miles south of Indianapolis.

Ali plans to attend the ceremony to show support for the temple's mission of promoting world peace and for the people of Tibet, The Herald-Times reported Thursday. The Chinese government has occupied the mountain nation has been occupied for decades.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 with thousands of supporters after a failed uprising against China. Since then, the 68-year-old has headed a government-in-exile in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle against Chinese rule.

Ali, the 61-year-old retired heavyweight champion will be a guest in the temple, which also includes quarters for the Dalai Lama.

Actor Richard Gere, who has been active in the Tibetan cause, also is expected to attend the dedication ceremony. Local religious leaders and Gov. Frank O'Bannon also have been invited.

The U.S. State Department is in charge of security, which is expected to include metal detectors, bomb-sniffing dogs, bag searches and pat-downs.