Historic Meeting for Ali and Dalai Lama
Sunday, September 7, 2003, Bloomington, IN

In a historic moment, for a celebratory cause, on a perfect autumn day, two of the most recognizable figures on earth, met and embraced for the first time. Muhammad Ali and the Dalai Lama were brought together in Bloomington, Indiana at the Tibetan Cultural Center's interfaith Chamtse Ling Temple dedication ceremony and all-day program that featured religious representatives from several major denominations, and special guests--including Ali's daughter Hana; longtime friend and renowned photographer, Howard Bingham; and Thubten J. Norbu, founder of the Tibetan Cultural Center and the eldest brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

The theme was simple: a call for international peace.

Ali, a United Nations Messenger of Peace and the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, both considered it a high honor to meet one another and to share the day to inspire better understanding and respect of different religions.

The afternoon program was aimed towards young people. Hana Ali read a statement for her father that inspired today's youth to persist through life's challenges and work towards a better world.  More than 3,000 people attended Sunday's event.

Read more:

Dalai Lama, Ali Meet at Temple
By Jim Adams
The Courier-Journal

Peace, not Politics, Key Theme of Events
By Michael Schroeder
Herald-Times Staff Writer

Achievements of Ali, Dalai Lama Prove Anything is Possible
By Mike Leonard
Herald-Times Columnist