Why did muhammad ali refuse to be drafted apex?

Ali, a Muslim, cited religious reasons for his decision to forgo military service.

The future three times world champion had converted to Islam at the inspiration of Malcolm X and joined the nation of Islam. For his refusal he was charged for evasion, tried for five years, and banned from boxing. He however appealed the ruling and went forward to win two gold medals.

Muhammad Ali refuses to be drafted in the military service because he doesn't want to serve in the Army of a country that treated members of his race as second-class citizens. He also made three separate appeals to change his draft status because of his membership in the Nation of Islam and his non-violent Muslim faith.