Memorial Prayer Service for Muhammed Ali Held at Islamic Center of San Diego

San Diego, CA — As the memorial service for Muhammed Ali was under way Friday in Louisville, Kentucky, one of San Diego's largest Muslim houses of worship also hosted a service in his honor. 

After its Friday prayers, the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont was scheduled to hold funeral prayers — called “Salat Al-Ghaib” (sa-lat all-guy-ib), which are customarily performed for Muslims who have died in a distant place — for Ali, a lifelong devout Muslim.

The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died June 3 at the age of 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

• WATCH LIVE STREAM NOW: Muhammad Ali's Funeral
  

The Islamic Center of San Diego encouraged mosques across the county to join in by also saying the funeral prayers for the "renowned athlete and humanitarian."

"Muhammad Ali spoke out against racism and war," Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the San Diego Office of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said in a Facebook post. "He stood up for faith and reconciliation. He was a role model—not only for Muslims, African-Americans, and athletes, but for all people who champion peace and justice."

(Image via Dutch National Archives, The Hague, Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989)