Two days of funeral ceremonies bidding farewell to Muhammad Ali began today with a Muslim prayer service in the Kentucky
hometown of the beloved boxing legend and civil rights hero.
Thousands of people stood in the cavernous Freedom
Hall arena in
remembrance of one of the 20th century’s most singular personalities,
who died last week at age 74. People in the crowd held up their
cellphones to snap pictures as the coffin holding Ali’s remains moved
by.
The brief ceremony in Louisville launched two days of interfaith
tributes – bringing together VIPs and ordinary fans – to a man known for
both his tenacity in the ring and his social activism outside of it, on
behalf of African-Americans and social causes at home and around the
world.
The three-time heavyweight world champion died after a
decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born Cassius Clay at a
time of racial segregation in the American
south, the boxer converted to Islam in 1964, changing his name to
Muhammad Ali and shocking America.
Thursday’s prayer service was held at the site of Ali’s last fight in
his hometown, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov 29, 1961.
"The service is a traditional Muslim funeral,” Imam Zaid Shakir,
who helped organise it, said earlier. Muhammad Ali has a very, very
special significance for the Muslim community. This is about... sending
him off in the very best of fashion, and
honor his memory, live his legacy and love each other as he would wish."
On Friday morning, a funeral procession will wind through the city of
600,000, passing sites that were important to Ali: his childhood home,
the Ali Centre, the Centre for African American Heritage – which focuses
on the lives of blacks in Kentucky – and, of course, along Muhammad Ali
Boulevard before arriving at the cemetery for a private burial.
Actor Will Smith – who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal
of Ali on the silver screen – and former heavyweight champion Lennox
Lewis will be among the pallbearers.
The Ali family asked news media not to film the burial from helicopters.
"Please use discretion and we will encourage you not to film the
burial service from afar, from your helicopters flying over the
cemetery," family spokesman Bob Gunnell told a press conference on
Thursday.
On Friday afternoon, Ali will be honoured at an interfaith memorial
service at a large sports arena that will bring together heads of state,
VIPs and fans alike. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend.
38 comments:
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Rip to him
Rest on great man. Linda take note!
RIP.
Ok.. Noted. Rip Muhammad Ali
May Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus
Rest on, legend!
...merited happiness
May Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Rest on the legend.
says,Genevieve.
R.i.p
May his soul rest in peace in Jesus name amen
#nothankyoui'dratherbeselfmade
I taught muslims are buried in mats and not coffins?
If not for the love I have for him, I would have said he is a terrorist since he is Muslim
He was a great and just man. He was a sincere man as well but I couldn't remember him condemning terrorism carried out by fellow Muslims. Anyway... he is gone. Rip
Rip
Wow wat an icon. Rip Ali. Bk was here!!
I thought Muslims don't use coffin for burial? Abi Nairn Muslims own different? Thought he was supposed to be buried immediately...
I thot Muslims dnt keep their corpse for more than 24hrs!
Eyaah RIp
Omo 15 thousand people...
If he condemns them he wil call u on phone and tell....anuofia
The Great One...Keep resting in perfect peace
Lukman or whatever u're a stupid man, u will die one day and no will offer their prayers for u state mugu.
Get some education man.
Get some education man.
U are stupid lukman or whtever u cal urself,,idiot
Rest peace muhd Ali may Allah grant you eternal mercy.....but Muslims are not buried dis way....point of correction Muslims are not terrorists
Ur a fool.. He's had Parkinson since he was 44 retard.. Wen was d last time he talked ode oshi..
Chioma Azuwike,make the internet your friend. Go and watch his videos on YouTube. He condemned terrorism and all forms of violence. The man has not been active for many years now owing to Parkinson's disease he has been battling with for over 30years. I guess you didn't know that too! Rather than just say a word of prayer for him & his family, some of you are here spewing nonsense.
Chioma Azuwike,make the internet your friend. Go and watch his videos on YouTube. He condemned terrorism and all forms of violence. The man has not been active for many years now owing to Parkinson's disease he has been battling with for over 30years. I guess you didn't know that too! Rather than just say a word of prayer for him & his family, some of you are here spewing nonsense.
RIP to the world's G.O.A.T.
Rip..lindaway, this ur knorr cub maggi advert is disturbing me I beg remove it from comment site is annoying.
wonderful! born a christian, lived and died a muslim, celebrated in the church. and finally buried a muslim. i think there's something great about this man.
RIP
-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds
i dont know how some mad people will continue to castigate islam for what some mslim does in name of islam which was not its teaching. how many tines did i hear a any christian critising a fradulent pastor for telling people to eat grass and other abominable act. i think somebody like chioma must be a child and not a reasonable person. even in nigeria hear, how many pastor have condemn niger delta avenger for their action,everybody keep quiet and somebeody like chioma and the rest did not voice out on this. this is pure hiprocracy.
RIP to the great man, but seriously I thought Muslims had to bury by the next day or something like that and also on a mat.
Maybe the rules are different for statesmen.
Someone please enlighten me.
When did muslims start conducting funerals prayers in a coffin?
Rip
Rip Ali. A true chrismus
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