< ! -- Deleted image removed : After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , he stated that " Islam is a religion of peace " and " does not promote terrorism or killing people " , and that he was " angry that the world sees a certain group of Islam followers who caused this destruction , but they are not real Muslims . They are racist fanatics who call themselves Muslims . " In December 2015 , he stated that " True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion " , that " We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda " , and that " 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 . " In later life , Ali developed an interest in Sufism , which he referenced in his autobiography , '' The Soul of a Butterfly '' . Around 2005 , Ali converted to Sufi Islam . According to Ali 's daughter , Hana Yasmeen Ali , who co-authored '' The Soul of a Butterfly '' with him , Ali was attracted to Sufism after reading the books of Inayat Khan , which contain Sufi teachings
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Muhammad Ali