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.
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London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II of Jordan had been scheduled to speak at the service at the KFC Yum! However, I think the Tribune should take the time to publicly examine how it covered Ali when he was alive and how that coverage reflects on both America and the Tribune itself. The Dalai Lama, a longtime supporter of Ali’s humanitarian work, was invited but said he would be unable to attend either service.
His funeral will be preceded by a Jenazah – an Islamic funeral prayer programme – which will also be open to the public at midday on Thursday at the Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut with victory over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.
The memorials and funeral service in which the world will say goodbye to Muhammad Ali were all his idea.
“We are sad and laughing at the same time – that’s what dad would want”.
“We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda”, Ali said in a sharp rebuke to the Trump proposal.
“It’s very important for us to understand, and I’m sure most people here do, and certainly those viewing, that Muhammad Ali transcended any particular community”.
Britain’s The Sun newspaper published what it said are the final images of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who died last week at the age of 74.
Ali had an incredible lifetime record of 56 wins and five loses in his boxing career, including some of the most famous matches in history.
Most downtown hotel rooms were already booked by Monday afternoon, and those in the rest of the city were selling out fast, said Stacey Yates of the city’s tourism bureau. Known for his boastful, passionate, outspoken style, Ali dubbed himself “The Greatest”, and explained his boxing style in just a few words: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.
They chose the venue because it seats 18,000 and holds historical significance for the hometown hero. The group presented “The Book” – about 2 inches thick with funeral details – to Ali in 2010, the family spokesman said.
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They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali’s home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday.
