World Leaders, Fans Bid Ali Farewell

Tens of thousands of people on Friday  gathered in the hometown of Muhammad Ali for the boxing legend’s funeral and daylong memorial,  attended by world leaders including former United States  President Bill Clinton and King Abdullah II of Jordan, Al Jazeera reports.

Ali’s remains were buried during a private ceremony at Louisville’s Cave Hill Cemetery on Friday, following a motorcade passing through several city landmarks, as well as his childhood home.

People lining the streets threw flowers, and shouted, “Ali! Ali!”, as the hearse carrying his body pulled out of the funeral home. Others carried banners and photos of Ali.

Barrack Obama was not present at the funeral of the man he calls a “personal hero” since it coincides with his daughter Malia’s graduation from high school.Ali died  at the age of 74 on June 3 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

But the US president published a video message on  Thursday in which he displayed two mementos given to him by “The Champ” –  a book of photographs and a set of gloves – which he has kept near to him through his time in the White House.

“This week we lost an icon,” Obama said in the message. “A person who for African Americans, I think, liberated their minds in recognizing that they could be proud of who they were.”

“I grew up watching him. I grew up having my identity shaped by what he accomplished,” he said. “The incredible gestures of love and support that he showed me was one of the great blessings of my life.”

Chants of “Ali! Ali!” were heard along the 19-mile route as the hearse travelled across the fighter’s home town.

A police-escorted hearse carries the body of Ali past his childhood home for the final time

The casket, covered in a cloth bearing Arabic writing, was placed into the hearse by pallbearers, who included Hollywood star Will Smith and former boxers Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, before it left the funeral home.

The procession then travelled along Muhammad Ali Boulevard, passing the Muhammad Ali Centre and his childhood home as fans threw flowers towards the vehicle carrying Ali’s body.

As huge crowds waited in sweltering heat for the procession to pass, some of Ali’s family and friends in the cars following the hearse waved to people watching from the roadside.

The procession ended at Cave Hill Cemetery, where a private burial took place.

In a video message, Obama said,  “It’s very rare when a figure captures the imagination of the entire world. It’s even rarer when that figure does so by being open and funny and generous and courageous.”

Former US president Bill Clinton delivered the eulogy, while Ali’s widow Lonnie and two of his nine children, daughters Rasheda and Maryum, also addressed the congregation.

Speaking ahead of the funeral, former world heavyweight boxing champion Lewis said it was a “privilege” and an “honour” to be involved in the ceremony.

He said,  “We’re laying to rest another king – the greatest.

“He was the only one that floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. I think he’s in a better place right now.”

Promoter Don King, who put on the Rumble in Jungle in 1974, was among the mourners to remember the life of the gregarious Ali.

Ali joined the Nation of Islam sect in 1964 – changing his name from Cassius Clay – but later left the group to practise orthodox Islam.

City officials estimated 100,000 people came out to honor Ali, many traveling from across the country and across the world. Some tossed flowers atop the hearse carrying his casket as part of an 18-car procession over 23 miles (37 km) in a memorial unlike any other in recent U.S. history.

After Ali’s body was put to rest, former President Bill Clinton and celebrities such as Billy Crystal, Will Smith and Mike Tyson were among those gathered at a 20,000-seat sports arena for an interfaith memorial service that began with Muslim prayers.