Comedian Billy Crystal said Muhammad Ali was someone who taught the world to “build bridges between people, not walls” at the memorial service for his longtime friend on Friday.
“This brash young man who thrilled us, angered us, confused and challenged us, ultimately became a silent messenger of peace who taught us that life is best when you build bridges between people, not walls,” said Crystal, drawing sustained applause from mourners.
Crystal seemed to be making a clear allusion to Donald Trump, who has vowed to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and whom Ali spoke out against last year over his proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
“We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda,” Ali said. “… speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is.”
