Remembering Muhammad Ali: Bahamas Non-Resident Ambassador to Qatar, Tony Joudi at right is shown next to his friend Muhammad Ali in 1982 at a Roast that celebrated Ali’s 40th birthday in Chicago.

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” – Muhammad Ali

Nassau, Bahamas – Newly appointed Bahamas Non-Resident Ambassador to Qatar, Tony Joudi was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of his friend Muhammad Ali who had made a lasting impact on his life.

Ali, a three-time world heavyweight-boxing champion, an Olympic Gold medalist, a civil rights activist and humanitarian, was loved around the world, in and out of the ring.

Speaking from The Bahamas where Ali’s career ended in 1981 with a loss to Trevor Berbick, Joudi said, “The timing of Ali’s death has caused me to reflect on our friendship and the influence he had on me.”

Joudi and Ali’s friendship had span many decades, starting as a business relationship in Chicago in the late 1970’s. In the early 1980’s Joudi found his love for foreign affairs when Ali took Joudi to Saudi Arabia as an Arabic interpreter for a meeting with His Royal Highness, King Khalid Bin Saud.

Over a dinner with Ali at the Conference Palace that included Ali’s third wife Veronica Porsche and his manager Herbert Mohammed, Ali had suggested to Joudi that one day he should become an Ambassador, as they were both passionate about foreign relations.

“We had raised funds for Ali’s many charities,” explained Joudi. Our trip to the King was successful and Ali had praised me for my language and network skills. He told me that I should put it to good use in international relations.”

A few years later, Ali was instrumental in starting a chain of events that led Joudi towards a political career in the United States that he eventually would not pursue.

TOP LEFT: Current photo of newly appointment Bahamas non-resident Ambassador to Qatar, Tony Joudi; TOP RIGHT: Tony Joudi worked with the Muhammad Ali in Chicago starting in the late 1970’s and they eventually became good friends. Shown in the photo is Joudi (second from left) attending a function with Muhammad Ali (right) and his daughters in the early 1980’s; BOTTOM LEFT: Muhammad Ali and Tony Joudi had made a trip to Saudi Arabia to visit King Khalid Bin Saudi in the late 1970’s with Ali and his delegation. Joudi was the Arabic interpreter for Ali. Shown in the photo is Muhammad Ali (left) having dinner with Tony Joudi (right) and his friends. Ali who adored his fans was admired all over the world as a Champion and little children loved him. He allowed the little boy, the son of a friend of Joudi, to dine in his lap; and BOTTOM RIGHT: Tony Joudi (left) having a discussion with Muhammad Ali’s manager, Herbert Muhammad (right) and a guest at a restaurant in Chicago in the late 1970’s. Tony Joudi had assisted Muhammad Ali in many of his business endeavors.

Ali had asked his attorney, Charles Lomax, a partner in the prestigious law firm, Sidley and Austin to introduce Tony Joudi to Sam Skinner who was highly connected in the political world. Skinner later became the Secretary of Transportation and then Chief of Staff for President George Bush Senior. They quickly realized that Joudi was a perfect fit

for international relations, and Joudi was invited to join the US State Department as Deputy Assistant Undersecretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. He was also asked to serve on the Republican Presidential Task Force.

At the time of President Bush’s invitation, work commitments in The Bahamas had increased for Joudi and therefore, he did not pursue US politics. He went into partnership with AMEE International and together they completed many local projects, including work on phase one of the Atlantis Resort.

As he moves into his new role as an Ambassador, a career that Ali had predicted for him, Joudi is grateful for the time he spent with the “Great Champion.”

“Muhammad Ali is a legend that will continue to live in my heart and I will remember him as a man who did what he believed, and he helped create a better world for us,” said Joudi.

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, Kentucky and died on June 3, 2016 in Arizona at the age of 74 from complications relating to Parkinson’s.