KENTUCKY: Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, attended the funeral of Muhammad Ali, held in the state of Kentucky, on Thursday, where thousands of his admirers and celebrities had converged to pay their homage to the boxing legend.
Ambassador Jilani paid a rich tribute to the great Muslim boxer on behalf of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and offered prayers for the departed soul and his family. He also laid a floral wreath to honour Ali, who was regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century.
A three-time world heavyweight champion, Ali died on Friday at the age of 74. The news of his death sent a shockwave throughout the world, including the United States, where he had a great following. An estimated 14,000 people also attended his funeral, according to media reports.
Ambassador Jilani offered condolences to the family of late Muhammad Ali and conveyed the message of goodwill and sympathy from the Government and people of Pakistan. Members of the Pakistani American community lauded the gesture of the Pakistan government and Prime Minister Sharif in the acknowledgement of Ali’s huge contribution to the field of sports, and to his selfless services for the welfare of the humanity.
While paying homage to the departed soul, the Ambassador eulogised Ali for his role as an active public figure and philanthropist, who had remained dedicated to his faith and the humanitarian beliefs, throughout his life. He underscored that Ali’s charisma and conviction continued to inspire and unite millions of people, around the world.
Ambassador Jilani also noted that Muhammad Ali was a great sports ambassador, a greater human being and an inspiring Muslim in the history of the United States. He was loved and admired by the Pakistanis as one of their own. Ali had visited Pakistan at the peak of his career and fond memories of his visit are still cherished by the people of Pakistan. Thousands of people, including the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and members of the Pakistani-American community had joined the funeral prayers held in the city of Louisville in the Kentucky state. On this occasion, Ambassador Jilani also met with Turkish President, who conveyed his good wishes for the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan. The Consul General of Pakistan in New York also participated in the event.
US President Barack Obama also paid a tribute to the legendary boxer in a facebook live broadcast and said that it was very rare when a figure captured the imagination of the entire world. “He was one of a kind and in my book, he’ll always be the greatest,” he added.
