Muhammad Ali’s Family Bury The Boxing Legend With Islamic Prayer Service
By amin | Comments: 0 | June 9, 2016Today 14,000 mourners joined the family of boxing legend Muhammad Ali for the traditional Muslim Jenazah service to celebrate his life.
Ali died last Friday in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 74 from a respiratory illness which was complicated by his Parkinson’s disease. His body was then flown to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky for his burial.
In attendance today were several members of Ali’s family who joined Ali’s widow Lonnie. This includes two of his ex-wives, Khalilah Camacho-Ali (his second wife) and his third wife, Veronica Porche-Ali (whom he had an affair with prior to marrying). His first wife Sonji Roi had passed away in 2005. His daughter Laila was there with his granddaughter Sydney as was his other daughter Hana.
Daughter Laila
Ali’s second wife Khalilah on the left with his widow Lonnie.
The traditional Muslim prayer service, led by Imam Zaid Shakir, marks the start of the two days of ceremonies taking place to honour Ali.
Many Muslims from all over the world travelled to Kentucky to attend the service which was noted by the speakers at the service. Sherman Jackson, a prominent member of the American Muslim community, told attendees that Ali did “more to normalize Islam in this country than perhaps any other Muslim in the history of the United States.†Many others at the service told media that they felt Ali’s greatest accomplishments were that as a humanitarian and fighter for civil rights and social justice.
Looking at the photos from the service, you can see people from all backgrounds and ages attended. Some wore traditional Islamic attire, some wore business suits, and some were dressed casually in jeans. The service lasted about 20 minutes.
Also in attendance were former boxing heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, along with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, boxing promoter Don King, former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, former two time heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman, and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.
Top left is Lennox Lewis, top right is Jesse Jackson, then Don King and Sugar Ray Leonard