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Muhammad Ali's Compassionate Legacy Expands Globally

In a momentous week marking Muhammad Ali's 84th birthday, the United States honored the boxing legend with the release of a Forever Stamp. This recognition coincides with a significant international expansion of the Muhammad Ali Index, a platform designed to measure and promote compassion around the globe. The index's first international partner will be the vibrant city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting a commitment to Ali's enduring legacy of compassion.

The launch event, which took place on February 4, 2026, at the American University of Sharjah, featured Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali, was also in attendance, underlining the importance of this new collaboration. The partnership aims to reinforce Ali's core beliefs regarding the significance of treating others with empathy and dignity, especially during challenging times.

Originally launched as a pilot project in the United States in 2025, the Muhammad Ali Index began with a focus on twelve U.S. cities, including well-known locations such as Chicago and New York. Its objective is to assess compassion using innovative research methods, integrating artificial intelligence and local perspectives to better understand how compassion is demonstrated in daily life. As of 2026, the Index will expand its reach to 20 cities across the U.S., with Sharjah setting the pace for future global endeavors.

The expansion is a response to the findings from the 2025 Compassion Report, which revealed that 61% of survey respondents believe compassion is waning in society. Despite this, nearly half of those surveyed expressed optimism about the potential for rebuilding a culture of compassion. Lonnie Ali emphasized this point, stating, “Muhammad believed that how we treat one another matters. Compassion was a fundamental aspect of his life and choices, which is why we are so excited to partner with Sharjah.”

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour echoed this sentiment, declaring that Sharjah has long been invested in culture and education, and this partnership signals a serious commitment to enhancing civic wellbeing alongside economic development. The collaboration aims to create a comprehensive Ali Compassion Report for Sharjah, contributing valuable local insights to the broader global discussion on compassion.

Simon Cohen, Chief of Compassion at the Muhammad Ali Center, remarked that Ali exemplified greatness not by his boxing prowess alone but by his ability to uplift others. He suggested that, in a world deeply divided, it is essential to recognize that compassion can be cultivated and is not a fixed trait. With partnerships like that of Sharjah and the Muhammad Ali Index, there is a renewed sense of hope for rebuilding trust and cohesion in communities.

Moving forward, Sharjah will lead the way in producing its own Ali Compassion Report, thus setting a standard for cities internationally seeking to promote compassion as a civic strength. As Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, affirmed, this initiative will provide a framework for advancing social bonds and understanding through meticulous research.

The Muhammad Ali Center, founded in 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky, continues to honor Ali's legacy by fostering educational initiatives and social change efforts worldwide. As the Center and the newly established Ali Index invite the public to sign the Ali Compassion Pledge, they are, in essence, calling for a global movement towards empathy, dignity, and courage in our interactions.

With these significant advancements, Muhammad Ali is poised not only as “The Greatest” in sports but also as a transformative figure in promoting a compassionate global community. For more information about the Muhammad Ali Index and to participate in the pledge, visit Ali Index Pledge.