Former world heavyweight champion boxer Muhammad Ali has sent a letter of condolence to the people of Norway following the terrorist attacks on Oslo and Utøya island, news agency AP reports.
In a letter written by Ali’s wife based on feelings communicated by the former boxer (who suffers from Parkinson’s disease), Ali says that his “heart goes out to each of you as you deal with the unimaginable grief of your loss.”
As a Muslim himself, Ali comments that those who commit terrorism in the name of religion or ethnicity “fail to understand that we share far more with our fellow beings than those aspects that set us apart.”
Speaking of the importance of multiculturalism and diversity, Ali said, “I see the same wishes for our children to have happy, healthy lives; I see the same concerns for others less fortunate than ourselves; I see the same desire for peace and dignity.”
Ali also encourages Norwegians to reach out to others in solidarity after the attacks. “The collective power of such individual proactive acts can have a tremendous aggregate impact and provide a lasting honor to those who are no longer able to take such action themselves,” he said.
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