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Ali Jr Says Airport Detention Shows Civil Rights Fight Continues

NBC News

Muhammad Ali's son says he felt "violated" when immigration officials questioned him about his religion at a Florida airport.

The boxing great's namesake, Muhammad Ali Jr., says his detention shows some of his father's civil rights battles are still being fought. Ali Jr. commented on the Feb. 7 incident on Monday. He said he was appalled that as a U.S. citizen he was asked about his religion. Ali Jr. and his mother, Khalilah Camacho Ali, said they were pulled aside and separated at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as they returned from a trip to Jamaica.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Daniel Hetlage confirmed that Ali Jr. was held for questioning by customs officers, but said it wasn't because he's a Muslim or his Arabic-sounding name.