Thousands of people of all races and creeds gathered on Thursday (June 9) for a Muslim funeral service in Muhammad Ali's hometown in Kentucky to pay their respects to a man who fought in the ring and sought peace outside it.

The jenazah, or funeral in Arabic, was held at a convention space in Freedom Hall, the complex where the former heavyweight world champion defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961 in his last fight in Louisville.