Erdogan left the funeral of Mohammed Ali ahead of schedule due to disagreements with the organizers

Turkish President Recep Erdogan left the burial ceremony of Boxer Mohammed Ali before its end. Sources surrounded by the Turkish leader told Hurriyet Daily News that this decision was caused by restrictions on the part of the organizers of the funeral. The president’s press service did not comment.

Erdogan came to the city of Louisville in Kentukki (USA), where he took part in reading funeral prayers and divided the lean meal of Iftar (evening meals during the month of Ramadan) with local Turks-Conshetists. At the same time, according to journalists, the Turkish president was not allowed on the day of the ceremony to cover the coffin Ali with a veil with the image of the Muslim Kaaba shrine in Mecca.

Other sources informed reporters that the decision to return to Turkey followed after the request of the head of the department for religion of Mehmet Hermez was rejected to read an excerpt from the Qur'an during the ceremony.

In addition, there is information that there was a small skirmish between the guards of Erdogan and representatives of the US intelligence services. Allegedly, the special services worker stood in the place intended for presidential protection.

Hurriyet notes that even before Erdogan arrived in the United States, the organizers of the funeral excluded him from the list of speakers due to a lack of time.

Mohammed Ali died on June 3 at the 75th year of his life from natural reasons . For 32 years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease. The illustrious athlete spent his last days in one of the hospitals of the Phoenix (USA), where he was hospitalized due to breathing problems.

During a professional career, the boxer, "flutting like a butterfly and stinging like a bee," spent 61 fights, having won 56 victories (of which by a knockout) and suffering five defeats. In 1999, he was recognized as an “athlete of the century” according to several sports publications. After the completion of his sports career, he was engaged in public and charitable activities, was an ambassador of the goodwill of UNICEF.