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What Muhammad Ali Meant to US Muslims?

A touching video by Quartz during the funeral of the late boxing champ and Muslim figure Muhammad Ali has revealed the special position Ali holds in the hearts of American Muslims, being their ultimate ambassador of the faith.

“Ali made being Muslim cool. Ali made being a Muslim dignified… Ali put the question of whether a person can be a Muslim and American to rest,” a voice in the video narrates.

The video, which was viewed more than a million times on Facebook, received many positive comments from Muslims and non-Muslims.

“He was a true Ambassador of Islam, Muhammad Ali a legend of our time. World praying for Muhammad Ali, That is Respect. He was for the Humanity. Will we be lucky to see another person of this magnitude in our life time. Highly unlikely. May Allah open the gate of Heaven for Muhammad Ali. Ameen,” one wrote.

“I’m a Cristian but I do support what Ali did. It’s ok to have a different opinion or faith. Please don’t let radicalized people influence what you feel about a certain religion or opinion,” another added.

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The famed boxer and icon died Friday at the age of 74, after spending 32 years fighting Parkinson’s disease.

His name trended all over social media with hashtags such as the Greatest of All Time or #GOAT for short, and Rest in Power.

Named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr after his father, the sporting champion, who died aged 74, reverted to Islam in 1964 and changed his name to Mohammad Ali, dubbing his former alias, Cassius Clay, “my slave name”.

Battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years, his death was confirmed by his family in a statement who said the family “would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support” and asked for privacy.

The funeral took place on Thursday, June 9, in Ali’s home town of Louisville, Kentucky.