She is now embracing the role of chief advocate for his legacy.
Advertisement
Around 100,000 people lined the streets of Muhammad Ali’s hometown yesterday to pay their respects to one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport as he was laid to rest.
Also speaking at the memorial service, Rabbi Michael Lerner earned a standing ovation for remarking that all Muslims should not be judged by the actions of a few. Ali’s nine children, his widow, two of his ex-wives and other family members accompanied the body to the cemetery. “As he moved easily around the world, the rich and powerful were drawn to him, but he was drawn to the poor and forgotten”, she said.
“His power toppled the mightiest of foes, and his intense light shined on America, and we were able to see clearly in justice, in equality, poverty, pride, self-realization, courage, laughter, love, joy and religious freedom for all”.
Crystal remembered sitting next two Ali two decades later at Cosell’s funeral, a solemn occasion, as Crystal reminded the crowd. She wanted me to be a pallbearer and I accepted that great honor, ‘ Mr Waddell told WLKY. Muhammad wants young people of every background to see his life as proof that adversity can make you stronger.
She hoped the service would stand as a much-needed antidote to Islamophobic rhetoric in the USA presidential campaign. “Until we meet again, fly butterfly, fly”, she said.
His mother, Lonnie, has been “the backbone of this family forever”, he said. Ali was a radical in the most radical times. “She’s followed through with that”.
“America must never forget that when a cop and an inner-city kid talk to each other, then miracles can happen”.
Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers at the burial, which is closed to the public. Muhammad Ali spent the majority of his retirement from boxing helping those less fortunate, though he himself was struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
US President Barack Obama also paid a tribute to the legendary boxer in a facebook live broadcast and said that it was very rare when a figure captured the imagination of the entire world. “With the free spirit it made his life bigger not smaller”. “He never became bitter enough to quit or engage in violence”. His wife, Lonnie, giving a powerful tribute.
The Ali Center stopped charging admission.
As a Muslim leader welcomed the 15,000-strong congregation to the “home of the people’s” the crowd burst into applause, chanting, “Ali!”. Past recipients have included former President Jimmy Carter, former National Football League great and civil rights advocate Jim Brown and singer and activist Harry Belafonte.
“He was sure-footed in his self-awareness, secure in his faith and he did not fear death”, she said Friday.
Advertisement
Louisville Pastor Kevin Cosby spoke of Ali in the same breath as civil rights legend Rosa Parks and barrier-breaking athletes Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, all African-Americans who defied societal norms to try to break the color barrier between black and white Americans.
