Laila Ali on father’s death: “I’ve been sad for a long time”

“We hope the world will be inspired to live up to the values of Ali, which were compassion and unity and bringing people together, lifting people up”.

A public memorial service and funeral procession will be held on Friday for Ali in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where he will be buried.

Ali’s body was returned to his grieving hometown for the final time.

He is a Three time world Champion, Six-time Kentucky State Golden Gloves Champion, two-time National Golden Gloves Champion, Olympic Goldmedalist, fought over 100 fights in Amateurs, The Ring “Fighter of the Year” for 1963, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1978.

In the pages, the boxing great planned in exacting detail how he wished to say goodbye to the world.

Lieberman said Ali had been supported by his family throughout his illness.

“I bear the name of our beloved prophet Muhammad, and it is impossible that I allow people to trample over his name”, said Ali, who converted to Islam in the 1960s. He recalled Ali’s own words during meetings planning the funeral: “It’s OK”.

“We’ve been dreading this day for quite some time”, Mr Fischer said. Period. If you just asked him, he’d tell you. “So, I have comfort in knowing that he’s not suffering anymore”.

“All of his organs failed but his heart wouldn’t stop beating for 30 minutes. But Ali stood his ground”, Obama said.

Ali’s father, Cassius Clay Sr., a painter, was a member of King Solomon before his death decades ago. He painted a mural of Jesus’ baptism that still hangs behind the pulpit. But DiNicola told Lerner that for the rest of the boxer’s life, Ali admired the rabbi’s work as editor of the Jewish progressive magazine Tikkun and author of numerous books.

A public memorial service is planned Friday in Louisville.

“I got to study and feel and embody the soul of the man from the foundations of Islam and the strength of his Muslim faith in his life to the attractive wake that he always leaves in his magnificent path”.

Fans gathered on Saturday at his modest childhood home on Grand Avenue, which has been converted to a museum, and at the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational venue, to pay their respects.

“Epitomized by his catch phrase, ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Ali had a highly unorthodox boxing style for a heavyweight”.

Lifelong friend Victor Bender knew Ali ever since they were boyhood sparring partners. “He was a spoiler”, she said with a laugh. But he surprised her.

Ruby Hyde remembered the heavyweight champ cruising into her neighbourhood in a Cadillac with the top down.

“The message we’ll be sending out is not our message”, said Dr. Timothy Gianotti, an Islamic studies scholar.