(FinalCall.com)�When it was over, all former heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali could say is, "it was heaven."

He was outside Mosque Maryam April 14 having fun with the children�performing magic tricks like elevating his feet off the ground and making a red handkerchief disappear�when he made the comment about his trip to the mosque to hear his friend, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. It was the first trip to the mosque he once called home in nearly 30 years.

Mr. Ali entered the mosque to a throng of applause by the overflow crowd that filled the auditorium, downstairs masala and the gymnasium at Muhammad University of Islam. Though he did not speak to the crowd during his visit, his face was lit with joy as he applauded many of the remarks made by Min. Farrakhan.

Referring to Mr. Ali as one of the most popular human beings in the last 6,000 years, Min. Farrakhan said he "almost single-handedly inspired a movement in America" against the (Vietnam) war.

"Muhamamd Ali, was willing to make a sacrifice of his championship, of his fame, of his fortune to standup against an unjust war," Min. Farrakhan said of his friend who also was taught by the Hon. Elijah Muhammad. "(Ali) gave us more joy in the Nation of Islam. He made us proud. I applaud this man as one of the most beautiful hearts that God has seen fit to send into the world.

"Time and circumstance may wither away the skill in boxing," the Minister continued. "Time and circumstances may dull the quickness of his speech. Time and circumstances may cause his hand to shake. But time will honor him as one of the greatest men, not only in sports but the contribution that he is making to Islam as a world religion.

"Time will give him even more honor than the honor that he�s given by his contemporaries," Min. Farrakhan said.

Photo: Muhammad Ali and Min. Farrakhan embrace at Mosque Maryam
Credit: Kenneth Muhammad