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Story highlights
- Hana Ali: Two days after a funeral celebrating life of my father, Muhammad Ali, the Orlando shooting subverts a religion of peace
- "My father raised us to respect all religions," she says; he'd urge us not to judge entire religion for deeds of a few
Hana Ali is the third-youngest of Muhammad Ali's nine children and the co-author, with her father, of "The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey," his autobiography.
(CNN)My family and I were deeply troubled to hear of the tragic disregard for human life that took place in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday morning, just two days after my father's funeral.
His funeral had been a celebration of his life where world leaders and religious figures of different faiths came together in the spirit of peace, love and religious tolerance to honor the life of the world's most famous Muslim, Muhammad Ali, a man who loved his religion and dedicated himself to spreading its truths and many wisdoms.
Hana Ali and Muhammad Ali
Our father would be profoundly saddened and disappointed by the cowardice and heartless displays of inhumanity shown by the so-called Muslim gunman who took the lives of so many innocent people in the name of a religion which has as its very meaning: peace.
As much as my father loved his faith, he raised us to respect all religions and all people and to judge no one. He taught us that no man has the knowledge and understanding God has, and he often quoted one of his favorite Islamic sayings when teaching us this spiritual lesson. "If all the oceans were ink and all of the trees were pens, it still would not be enough to write the knowledge of God."
My father condemned no one, forgave everyone and always kept love in his heart.
"Hana," he'd say, "There is only one true religion, and that is the religion of the heart. God never named it Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. Man gave the titles, and that's what separates and divides us. My dream is to one day see a world that comes together to fight for one cause -- the human cause..."
Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Muhammad Ali's wife, Lonnie, speaks during the boxing legend's memorial service in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, June 10. Ali died June 3 at the age of 74.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Former President Bill Clinton delivers a eulogy during the service. "I think (Ali) decided very young to write his own life story. ... He decided he would never be disempowered," Clinton said.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Sportscaster Bryant Gumbel said he was honored to speak at Ali's service, saying "to be standing here by his and Lonnie's request is mind-numbing. God bless you, Champ."
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Comedian Billy Crystal delivers a eulogy. He said Ali "was a tremendous bolt of lightning, created by Mother Nature out of thin air."
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, delivered a message from the President.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Qubilah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, speaks during the service.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Film director Spike Lee, left, speaks to Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the service.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
The Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives at the ceremony.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Former soccer star David Beckham was in attendance.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives at the service.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
The hearse carrying Ali arrives at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Gerald Wayne Jacobs is consoled by strangers as he cries at the cemetery's gates.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
People line a street in Louisville to watch the funeral procession.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Ali's daughter Hana throws flowers as the procession enters the cemetery.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
The procession makes its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
A girl rushes to touch the hearse carrying Ali's body.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Actor Will Smith greets the public while riding in the funeral procession. Smith played the boxer in the 2001 film "Ali."
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Pallbearers place Ali's casket in a hearse before the procession began.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Lena Worthington, 2, wears oversized boxing gloves as spectators wait for the funeral procession.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Frances Woods holds a sign saluting Ali as she awaits the procession.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Akera Price-King, 9, carries a sign in front of Ali's childhood home.
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Photos: Muhammad Ali's funeral
Boxing gloves hang from a historical marker in front of Ali's childhood home.
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Our wonderful father is admired, celebrated and respected for many reasons, and perhaps more than anything else, for his ability to keep love in his heart despite all the upheavals of life. Through the ups and downs, the prejudice and injustice, through trials and tribulations, he let his heart lead him.
He didn't allow himself to hate those of a certain race based on the acts of a few. He didn't judge an entire religion based on the deeds of a single group of extremists.
Billy Crystal does famous Muhammad Ali impersonation 01:22
If my father were here today, he would stand before you humbled with a whisper and a prayer. He is no longer of this world, and no one can speak for him. But we can embrace his example and let the healing begin within. For it is especially during these times that we need to let our heart guide us.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of those who lost their lives -- all of the brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. May your hearts remain unhardened by this senseless act, and may your spirits always thrive in the light of love and forgiveness.
God bless us all.