Back in December 2015, Will Smith and Muhammad Ali gave a powerful message to Donald Trump reminding him that many of our heroes are Muslim. This is part of a statement that Ali issued to Donald Trump (R-N.Y.) after Trump’s anti-Muslim remarks:
“I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world. True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”
This week, we were saddened to hear of the loss of Muhammad Ali at the age of 74. The New York Times had some very kind words to say about “the Great” Ali:
“Ali was the most thrilling if not the best heavyweight ever, carrying into the ring a physically lyrical, unorthodox boxing style that fused speed, agility and power more seamlessly than that of any fighter before him.”
Will Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for playing Ali in a film in 2001. Smith is joining the group of pallbearers who will carry Ali’s coffin. Another boxer, Lennox Lewis will also be carrying the coffin as well. Some of Ali’s cousins and nephews will be helping as well. Jerry Ellis, brother of Ali’s sparring partner, Jim Ellis, will also be a pallbearer.
His widow, Lonnie Ali, his daughter, Maryum Ali, and comedian Billy Crystal will address the service.
Before the service, Muhammad Ali’s coffin will be paraded around the streets of Louisville, Kentucky, so fans around the world to say goodbye to this boxing legend.
California Imam Zaid Shakir will preside over the traditional Muslim service. The night before the funeral, there will be an Islamic prayer service and a private family-only funeral.
His daughter Laila, who followed in her father’s footsteps to the boxing ring, said:
“I’m obviously really sad. But I have been sad for a long time, just watching my father struggling with Parkinson’s disease. I have comfort in knowing that he’s not suffering anymore.”
https://youtu.be/EYoh62jUFpk
Featured image by Celestine Chua via Flickr, available under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
