Thousands pay respects to Muhammad Ali at Muslim funeral service in hometown of Kentucky

MOURNERS caught a glimpse of Muhammad Ali's coffin today at a prayer service for the champ.

The Greatest's close family joined 14,000 worshippers and boxing royalty - including Lennox Lewis, Sugar Ray Leonard and Don King - at the Islamic service.

 Goodbye ... late boxing champion arrives in casket for the Jenazah in Kentucky

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Goodbye ... late boxing champion arrives in casket for the Jenazah in KentuckyCredit: Reuters

 Somber mood ... pallbearers bring legend boxer's coffin up as mourners take last pictures of the champ

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Somber mood ... pallbearers bring legend boxer's coffin up as mourners take last pictures of the champCredit: Splash News

A black hearse took Ali's body from a funeral home to the prayers at Freedom Hall in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky - where the ring legend defeated Willi Besmanoff on November 29, 1961.

His wooden casket, draped in a black cloth with a gold Islamic inscription, was then wheeled in front of weeping mourners and placed to face the holy city of Mecca.

 Led by a police escort ... black hearse brings Muhammad Ali's coffin to ceremony

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Led by a police escort ... black hearse brings Muhammad Ali's coffin to ceremonyCredit: SPLASH NEWS

 Heading into the Freedom Hall ... the world watches as star boxer is laid to rest

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Heading into the Freedom Hall ... the world watches as star boxer is laid to restCredit: Splash News

 Farewell ... the service took place in Ali's homestate of Kentucky

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Farewell ... the service took place in Ali's homestate of KentuckyCredit: Splash News

 

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The service - called a Jenazah and led by prominent Muslim scholar Imam Zaid Shakir - lasted for 45 minutes.

Former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, who sat through the service, called Ali a "man of great character and courage".

 Bowed heads all round ... wife Lonnie wears dark sunglasses throughout service

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Bowed heads all round ... wife Lonnie wears dark sunglasses throughout serviceCredit: Splash News

 Ali's wife Lonnie, left, and daughter Laila, right, don traditional dress for service

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Ali's wife Lonnie, left, and daughter Laila, right, don traditional dress for serviceCredit: Associated Press

He was seated near promoter Don King - who clutched a selection of flags from around the world.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also attended.

Ali famously joined the Nation of Islam, the black separatist religious movement, as a young boxer before embracing mainstream Islam.

 Heartbreaking day ... daughter Laila sits with her kids during the Janazah

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Heartbreaking day ... daughter Laila sits with her kids during the JanazahCredit: Splash News

 Soon to be at rest ... Muhammad Ali will be laid to rest in a private burial

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Soon to be at rest ... Muhammad Ali will be laid to rest in a private burialCredit: Splash News

He died last Friday after battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years.

The boxer's coffin will be paraded through the streets of Louisville tomorrow before he is laid to rest in a private burial.

Actor Will Smith, who played the star in film "Ali", as well as ex-British heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be pallbearers.

 Battle til the end ... Ali suffered from Parkinson's for the last 32 years of his life

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Battle til the end ... Ali suffered from Parkinson's for the last 32 years of his lifeCredit: Rex Features

 The Greatest ... the three-time world champ received a service fit for a king

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The Greatest ... the three-time world champ received a service fit for a kingCredit: Press Association

A public memorial service will then take place at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.

Eulogies will be given by former US President Bill Clinton and actor Billy Crystal - in an event screened around the world.

Mourners have made their way to Kentucky from all across the globe, including a man - also named Mohammad Ali - who arrived in the US from Bangladesh without even booking a place to stay.

 Lennox Lewis ... Brit heavyweight said he was 'honoured' to help carry Ali's coffin

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Lennox Lewis ... Brit heavyweight said he was 'honoured' to help carry Ali's coffinCredit: Splash News

 Celebrating the champ's life ... Lennox Lewis arrives at memorial with wife Violet

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Celebrating the champ's life ... Lennox Lewis arrives at memorial with wife VioletCredit: Splash News

 Shock death ... Ali died after being taken to hospital for a respiratory condition

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Shock death ... Ali died after being taken to hospital for a respiratory conditionCredit: Associated Press

He was found a place to shelter by Ali's team after proving that the champ had in fact stayed at HIS Bangladeshi house after the pair struck up a friendship.

Champ Ali visited his home in 1978 and always joked he was his twin brother, the man said.