Muhammad Ali came out swinging Wednesday in response to Donald Trump's recent comments about banning Muslims from entering the U.S. The champ also had a few words aimed at "so-called Islamic jihadists" and how they're not what a true Muslim should be.
"I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world," Ali said in a statement to NBC News. "True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion."
Ali's statement was titled "Presidential Candidates Proposing to Ban Muslim Immigration to the United States," and one can only assume that it was a direct hit to Trump. Earlier this week, the GOP candidate stated that he couldn't name any Muslim athletes, but photos don't lie, and he's been pictured with Ali several times.
Ali went on to say that Muslims have to stand up to those "who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda."
"They have alienated many from learning about Islam. True Muslims know or should know that it goes against our religion to try and force Islam on anybody," Ali continued.
You can read Ali's full statement below:
I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world. True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.
We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda. They have alienated many from learning about Islam. True Muslims know or should know that it goes against our religion to try and force Islam on anybody.
Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is.
One has to wonder what Trump will have to say now.