Masjid Muhammad Remembers Muhammad Ali
Following the passing of Muhummad Ali on June 3, Imam Basim Muwwakkill and the members of Bermuda’s Masjid Muhammad have paid tribute to a man they said was “more than a legendary boxer, he was a man who was committed to fighting injustice.”
A spokesperson said, “While it is with great sadness to hear the passing of our dearly beloved Brother, Muhummad Ali, we also want to thank Almighty Allah [G-d] for blessing us with a global model.
“More than a legendary boxer, he was a man who was committed to fighting injustice as well as one who deeply cared about the underserved and underprivileged. His courage and fortitude during the early days of the Nation of Islam attracted many people to the Organization in Bermuda.
“His warrior spirit and warm heart which remained the same even as he evolved will truly be missed. We ask G-d to forgive him of his shortcoming and grant him Paradise. We also ask that G-d strengthen his family during this time of bereavement.”
One of Muhammad Ali’s final public statements was to refute a suggestion by U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump that Muslims be barred from entering the USA.
Ali said, in a statement first provided to NBC News — titled “Presidential Candidates Proposing to Ban Muslim Immigration to the United States” — said ”True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”
“Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is,” Ali said.
Muhammad Ali’s memorial service Friday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, will be open to all faiths, as the three-time heavyweight champion wished, ESPN reports.
According to Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell, Ministers from multiple faiths will be at the service, which will be led by California imam and scholar Zaid Shakir.
On Thursday, a 30-minute Islamic funeral prayer will be held at Freedom Hall starting at noon ET. Ali’s final fight in Louisville, against Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961, was held in Freedom Hall.
I think it’s important to note that Muhammed Ali was a staunch and passionate advocate for the black struggle throughout the world and the liberation of black people during his career. The only time many whites really started to like him was when he lost his voice through Parkinsons disease and could no longer speak about them. Just thought people needed to be reminded about this now that the media has decided he was America’s hero. He was the hero of BLACK people! America took 3 years of his boxing career during his best years because he refused to fight their war.
N/A I concur with you totally.
Thanks for reminding us.
Rest in peace my brother ,let the naysayers ,wring their hands in grief and frustration. Allah-u-Akbar.Ramahdan -Mubarak.