Thursday 9 June 2016 21:56, UK
Thousands of people gathered on Thursday to celebrate the life of the great Muhammad Ali at a traditional Islamic prayer service in the boxer's home town of Louisville, Kentucky.
Around 18,000 people attended the Jenazah at the Freedom Hall, which is where Ali began his professional career with a win over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.
Ali, a three-time world heavyweight champion and one of the most iconic and charismatic figures of the 20th century, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona last Friday at the age of 74.
His funeral will take place on Friday and his coffin was wheeled into the building for Thursday's Jenazah service, which was attended by members of Ali's family.
Addressing the service, Muslim scholar Sherman Jackson said: "For millions of people around the world of every race, religion and political persuasion, the passing of Muhammad Ali has made us feel a little more alone in the world.
"I can hardly begin to imagine the depths of his family's sense of loss.
"Ali was an unapologetic fighter in the cause for black people in America."
Former British heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis attended the service and told reporters: "It's such a privilege and such an honour to be able to say farewell to the greatest. He's in a better place.
"He will never be forgotten, he was absolutely the greatest. He was the only one that floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee."
Ali's former manager Don King, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard were also in attendance on Thursday.
And Ali fans from around the world arrived to pay their respects to a man who served as an inspirational figure to so many.
Abi Ajram made the 4,000 mile trip from London and said: "I feel Muhammad Ali deserved the world turning up for him. I thought it's the least I can do and I wanted to do it the moment I heard he had passed away.
"I wanted to show my respect to a great man and an even greater humanitarian. He meant a lot to me."
Lewis will be a pallbearer at the funeral on Friday alongside Hollywood actor Will Smith, who portrayed Ali in the 2001 film about the boxer's life.
They will be joined by Jerry Ellis - the brother of Jimmy Ellis, Ali's former sparring partner and fellow world heavyweight champion - and Ali's cousins John Grady and Jan Wadell, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Komawi Ali and family friend John Ramsey.
