Erdogan snubbed from speaking at Muhammad Ali’s funeral, returns to Turkey
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been snubbed by Muhammad Ali’s funeral organisers after he was told he would be speaking at the late boxer’s memorial service on Friday.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah of Jordan had been scheduled to speak at the service at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said that two mystery speakers are going to be added to the current programme, meaning there will not be room for foreign dignitaries.
“Hurriyet” reported Erdogan wanted to put an Islamic covering on the coffin, but the organizers told him “we will put it later”. This was negatively received by the Turkish President. Moreover Erdogan’s wish to recite the Quran was denied.
Gunnell said both their offices were “gracious and understood”.
He also said 15,000 people were expected to attend the service at the Yum! Centre, while 14,000 tickets will made be available to the public for the Jenazah, the Muslim funeral prayer.
Malcolm X’s daughter Attalah Shabazz, Ali’s wife Lonnie Ali, his eldest daughter Maryum and American actor Billy Crystal are also among the speakers.
The service for Ali will also include a 30-minute public Islamic service on Thursday led by Imam Zaid Shakir, a Muslim American scholar based in California. It will be held at Freedom Hall where Ali once fought.
“Everything that we’re doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested,” Mr Gunnell said.
“He wanted the memorial service to reflect his life, and how he lived. He wanted everyone to be able to attend. He was the people’s champ, and he wanted the memorial service to reflect that.
“We want this to be inclusive of everyone. That’s why we set Freedom Hall – not just with its historical significance – but with the size of Freedom Hall, so that everyone fits in.
“That Muslims and people of all faiths could attend, and perhaps learn more and be like Muhammad Ali, and open their hearts to everybody.
“This is not a political statement, this is not about politics, this is about how Muhammad Ali lived his life.”
Ali died last Friday in Arizona following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74.
