Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was a devout Muslim even changing his name to go according to his religion. Thus, it might seem natural for him to pass on the values of his religion to his daughters as well. However, her daughter and former female middleweight champion Laila Ali did not want to be fully invested in her father’s religion.
This was perfectly described by her in her book Reach, where she detailed what it was like going to the mosque with her father and sister. Moreover, she even revealed a surprising story about how Ali would leave her and her sister at the mosque for not behaving themselves.
Laila Ali details how Muhammad Ali left her at a mosque
On the 12th page, she writes that she was never a pious person like her father. Moreover, shares her experience about her visits to the mosque where she always gets a sense of boredom.
“I never felt pious or inspired, only tired. My only prayer was for the prayer session to end so I could go back to bed. I disliked the mosque even more. Daddy would take us over there and turn us to the sisters. Men sat in front, women in back. I was restless and bored and didn’t understand what was being said.” she wrote.
She then went on and revealed that her father sometimes left her at the mosque. However, this was not out of spite but out of a deep love for his religion.
“Many times daddy left without us. Again he’d forget us- not out of malice, but simply because that was his way. His religious way was deep – I realize that now” she added.
Being a devout Muslim all his life made the heavyweight legend go a little harsh on his daughters. However, Laila understood why her father did what he did. Despite that, she still resented the fact that his religion affected her in life.
Laila reveals she was miserable after being sent to a Muslim school
In the next paragraph, ‘She Bee Stingin’ revealed that her father removed her from elementary school and shifted to a Muslim school. However, this was not a great experience for her as she lost all her friends and close ones, now forced to attend another school.
“When he pulled us out of our elementary school and put us in a Muslim school, I was miserable. I missed my friends from the neighborhood. The religious instruction went over my head.” she wrote.
The situation with Laila and her sister got so bad that her mother was forced to return them to their original schools. Ali wanted his kids to grow up like him and under his religion. However, he realized that parents cannot control their children and can only support them in times of need.
What did you think about Laila revealing how her father left her at the mosque? Let us know in the comments.
The post ‘Daddy Left Without Us’: Muhammad Ali Often Left Behind Laila Ali and Her Sister in a Mosque to Teach Them a Lesson appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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