Canadian Imams plan service for ‘great ambassador of Islam’ Muhammad Ali

Mourners will also be able to pay their respects at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, which will be open to the public all week.

Reading a statement from Ali’s family, Mr Gunnell said: “Muhammad Ali was truly the people’s champion and the celebration will reflect his devotion to all races, religions, and backgrounds”.

“If you like a sport and you see one of the best in the world and you get invited into his room, I mean that’s pretty fantastic”.

“He loved boxing and he loved Muhammad Ali, more so, for who he was than the boxer that he was”, Cotton said about his father.

Jeff Fenech (pic) has described Muhammad Ali as one of the greatest people of all time.

Cooney was close friends Ali and says his toughest fight was his decades long battle with Parkinson’s.

Scores of people of all faiths and races packed River Road Mosque at the Louisville Islamic Center for an interfaith service to celebrate Ali, a man who made his living through violence but who preached peace outside the boxing ring.

All across Ali’s hometown, the faithful headed to Sunday church services to mourn the loss of the Louisville Lip, the city’s most celebrated son.

What time does Muhammad Ali’s funeral procession start? Here is how he won over the world with his words, humour and spirit.

Former US president Bill Clinton, comedian Billy Crystal and sports journalist Bryant Gumbel will offer eulogies for the boxing great. He says he owes his career to Ali, who let him train for free at his gym.

Ali, who had suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 32 years, died on Saturday morning after being admitted to hospital with a respiratory condition.

He was 74 years old at the time of his death.

The visitors had come from as far away as Georgia and as near as down the street.

“The will to win has a lot to do with it, plus god gifted him with the body, the power, the speed, timing, and all that stuff”.

Pele said: “He used to say he was my brother”.

The guests piled flowers and boxing gloves around the marker designating it a historical site.

[Ali’s] flamboyant shtick-a charismatic young fighter reveling in the role of the cocky black braggart-was a shot in the arm for the sweet science.