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WAECFlyer:


Two days of funeral ceremonies bidding farewell to Muhammad Ali began today with a Muslim prayer service in the Kentuckyhometown of the beloved boxing legend and civil rights hero.

 






Thousands of people stood in the cavernous FreedomHall arena inremembrance of one of the 20th century’s most singular personalities,who died last week at age 74. People in the crowd held up theircellphones to snap pictures as the coffin holding Ali’s remains movedby.


The brief ceremony in Louisville launched two days of interfaithtributes – bringing together VIPs and ordinary fans – to a man known forboth his tenacity in the ring and his social activism outside of it, onbehalf of African-Americans and social causes at home and around theworld.



The three-time heavyweight world champion died after adecades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born Cassius Clay at atime of racial segregation in the Americansouth, the boxer converted to Islam in 1964, changing his name toMuhammad Ali and shocking America.




Thursday’s prayer service was held at the site of Ali’s last fight inhis hometown, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov 29, 1961.




"The service is a traditional Muslim funeral,” Imam Zaid Shakir,who helped organise it, said earlier. Muhammad Ali has a very, veryspecial significance for the Muslim community. This is about... sendinghim off in the very best of fashion, andhonor his memory, live his legacy and love each other as he would wish."




On Friday morning, a funeral procession will wind through the city of600,000, passing sites that were important to Ali: his childhood home,the Ali Centre, the Centre for African American Heritage – which focuseson the lives of blacks in Kentucky – and, of course, along Muhammad AliBoulevard before arriving at the cemetery for a private burial.




Actor Will Smith – who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayalof Ali on the silver screen – and former heavyweight champion LennoxLewis will be among the pallbearers.




The Ali family asked news media not to film the burial from helicopters.

"Please use discretion and we will encourage you not to film theburial service from afar, from your helicopters flying over thecemetery," family spokesman Bob Gunnell told a press conference onThursday.




On Friday afternoon, Ali will be honoured at an interfaith memorialservice at a large sports arena that will bring together heads of state,VIPs and fans alike. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend.

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Source: http://timenaija.com/photos-muslim-funeral-service-begins-for-muhammad-ali/

RIP Sir

Ali the greatest

oga Lalastical do the needful

I must attend this funeral, on my way...