Was Turkish President Erdogan 'Dissed' At The Muhammad Ali Funeral?

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (R) attends the jenazah, an Islamic funeral prayer, for the late boxing champion Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. June 9, 2016. REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON

Daily Mail: Furious President of Turkey abandons Muhammad Ali funeral and flies home after being cut from speech line-up and banned from laying a cloth on boxer's coffin during Muslim ceremony

* Recep Tayyip Erdogan had specially flown to Louisville, Kentucky, to say farewell to Ali
* But the president’s office said Erdogan left the United States for Turkey late Thursday after attending the prayer ceremony
* He was due to speak at today's multi-faith service but lost his slot due to 'lack of program space'
* Funeral organizers also 'refused to allow Erdogan to lay a cloth from the Kaaba on Ali’s coffin during the Thursday ceremony'
* In addition he wanted the head of Turkey's religious affairs directorate to recite part of the Koran, but his wish had been refused

Turkey’s President has cut short his trip to the US and will not attend the funeral of boxer Muhammad Ali, his office said Friday, amid reports of a rift with the ceremony’s organizers.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan had specially flown to Louisville in the southern US state of Kentucky to say farewell to Ali, who the Turkish president is known to have admired hugely as a committed Muslim and civil rights campaigner.

Erdogan on Thursday attended a prayer ceremony for Ali and had been due to attend the funeral on Friday along with several other high profile political leaders.

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Update: Turkey's Erdogan cuts short U.S. trip for Muhammad Ali tribute (Reuters)

WNU Editor: There are conflicting reports on why he left early .... my guess is that when he realised that the cameras would not be pointed at him on Friday, that was when he then realised that there no point for him to stay around .... especially after Thursday's prayer service.