Rousing farewell as Muhammad Ali is buried

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Mike Tyson front and center is seen above smiling with some o_the pall bearers at Ali's funeral. Daily Mail of London Picture

Mike Tyson front and center is seen above smiling with some of_the pall bearers at Ali’s funeral. Daily Mail of London Picture

It was a rousing day on Friday as thousands paid tributes to boxing legend Muhammad Ali at a memorial service in his home city of Louisville, Kentucky in the U.S.

Muslim, Christian, Jewish and other speakers spoke of Ali’s fight for civil rights, while a message from President Barack Obama praised his originality.

The interfaith event took place hours after thousands said farewell as his coffin passed through city streets.

Ali was buried in a private ceremony attended by friends and family.

The former heavyweight champion and rights activist died on June 3 at the age of 74.

The burial service, attended by dignitaries and by several thousand people who acquired free tickets, was held at the KFC Yum! Centre.

It started with a Koran reading in Arabic, with Imam Hamzah Abdul Malik reciting Sura Fosselat, Prostration chapter 41 verses 30-35.

The recitation included the words: “Truly those who say our Lord is God and are righteous, the angels will descend upon them saying have neither fear nor sadness but rather rejoice in this paradise that you have been promised.”

Local Protestant minister Kevin Cosby said: “Before James Brown said `I’m black and I’m proud’, Muhammad Ali said “I’m black and I’m pretty’,”

Rabbi Michael Lerner attacked injustice against black people and Muslims, saying “the way to honour Muhammad Ali is to be Muhammad Ali today — speak out and refuse to follow the path of conformity.”

Ali’s wife Lonnie told the crowd: “If Muhammad didn’t like the rules, he rewrote them. His religion, his beliefs, his name were his to fashion, no matter what the cost.

“Muhammad wants young people of every background to see his life as proof that adversity can make you stronger. It cannot rob …Read More

Source:: PM Newspaper