Turkey’s Erdogan to join dignitaries, celebrities at Ali memorials

During his suspension from professional boxing for refusing the US military draft, Ali lectured on the subject of Islam for about three years starting in 1967.

Rahaman Ali took centre stage at the high-energy service at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, not far from the little pink house in Louisville’s west end where the Ali brothers grew up.

“That Muslims and people of all faiths could attend, and perhaps learn more and be like Muhammad Ali, and open their hearts to everybody”.

“Everything that we’re doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested”, said family spokesman Bob Gunnell.

The family “certainly believes that Muhammad was a citizen of the world. and they know that the world grieves with him”, Gunnell said.

Ali’s cousins John Grady and Jan Wadell, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Komawi Ali and family friend John Ramsey are the others.

In 1996, at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Ali was chosen from among all of America’s most iconic athletes to be the last to hold the torch and light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremonies.

Ali’s body will then be taken in procession through the main streets of Louisville, including an avenue that bears his name and on Broadway, where a procession was held in 1960 to celebrate his Olympic gold medal.

After his boxing career ended Ali often lectured on Islam.

Among those scheduled to pay tribute to Ali at Friday’s public service are former President Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal. The service is to be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. His spokesperson said on Saturday that the boxing champion did not pass until his family was at his bedside, where they remained for about a day before Ali died at 9:10 p.m. local time on Friday.

Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., remains the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion. CCTV’s Sean Callebs has more on the 74-year-old icon’s life and legacy – in and outside the ring.

Ali won by a TKO when one Frazier’s trainers stopped the fight in the 14th round.

“I am Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people”, Ali said in the statement.

The guests piled flowers and boxing gloves around the marker designating it a historical site.