A traditional Muslim funeral service was held Thursday, with an estimated 6,000 admirers arriving from all over the world.
Advertisement
The crowd cheered when Lerner, editor of the Jewish interfaith magazine Tikkun, made a rousing reference to Hillary Clinton, Bill’s wife and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Valerie Jarrett also delivered a statement from President Obama.
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, was a devout Muslim, and known for his political and religious stance, including – at times – when it was detrimental to his career.
During the ceremony, Lonnie, Ali’s widow, shared the fond memories and the legacy that the boxer left behind.
Pallbearers included Will Smith, and former boxing stars Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, while Billy Crystal and former U.S. President Bill Clinton read eulogies at the service. “Muhammad Ali will always be America”.
People walk by a large picture of Muhammad Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center on June 10, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. It was evident that Parkinson’s disease had taken its toll on the former boxing champion, but you could still recognize the strong and determined spirit within him.
Rabbi Michael Lerner received a standing ovation from sections of the crowd after highlighting injustices black people face.
Earlier, fans along the funeral procession route, stretching about 18 miles (30 kilometers), were in a festive mood – taking photos, cheering, applauding and chanting Ali’s name in the bright sunshine. And a downtown bridge will be illuminated the rest of the week in red and gold: red for his boxing gloves, gold for his 1960 Olympic medal.
“He always called me that till last time I saw him”, Crystal explained.
“Muhammad indicated that, when the end came for him, he wanted to use his life and his death as a teaching moment. I grew up having my identity shaped by what he accomplished”, he said. There is no other way to say this – there aren’t a whole lot of spaces and times in this city where you see this many black and white residents gathered together to spend time in each other’s company, to laugh together, to pray together, to honor the same public figures, to reflect on what it means to be human and the responsibilities that entails.
Advertisement
Ali leaves behind daughters Laila, Rasheda, Hana, Maryum, Jamillah, Khaliah and Miya, as well as sons Muhammad Jr and Asaad. “This brash young man thrilled us, angered us, confused us, challenged us, ultimately became a silent messenger of peace and taught us that life is best when you build bridges between people and not walls”. “And till we meet again, fly, butterfly, fly”.
