CHICAGO-(http://www.finalcall.com)�The eyes of the world, particularly the Islamic world, will be on this city Feb. 24-27 as the 2nd International Islamic Conference gets underway, culminating in the long-awaited return of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan who will deliver a keynote address on Feb. 27.

The four-day event, part of the Nation of Islam�s annual Saviours� Day celebration, will bring together Muslim clerics, educators, scientists and entertainers from many countries. The theme of the special weekend is "A Celebration of Family," and the Islamic conference will include workshops, an historic Jum�ah prayer service and evening feasts.

A highlight of the weekend will be the participation in the Jum�ah prayer service of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Honorable Imam W. Deen Muhammad, son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Many Muslims who accepted Islam under the Hon. Elijah Muhammad will converge for this magnificent event, bringing together Muslims who have not seen each other for years. Couple that with the participation of Muslims from all over the world, and the weekend is certain to be a weekend of joy and tears, according to Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Ben-Omar, who is helping to coordinate the weekend.

"It�s been long overdue," Sheikh Tijani said, referring to the two-and-one-half years that have elapsed since the first International Islamic Conference held July 15, 1997.

"Almost all the Muslim leaders I have talked to, and that has been quite a few, have expressed extreme excitement over the call for the unity and oneness of Allah (God)," Sheikh Tijani added, "especially from those who missed the first conference. The first one really made impact."

Sheikh Tijani said the Muslim leaders also appreciated Minister Farrakhan�s focus on family as the theme of the weekend, and they appreciated the concept of an inter-faith workshop and dialogue.

"The Muslim leaders understand the importance for us to know and appreciate the disciplines of the various religions. And it is very essential for the Muslims to use the forum to allay the fears of many, especially in the U.S., who have been misinformed by the media about Muslims," he said.

"Muslims for some time now have been subject to racial and religious profiling in this country. But Muslims stand for peace and submission to the will of God."

Among those expected to attend are the Grand Sheikh of Pakistan, Maulana Ahmed Nurani Siddiqui; the Sheikh of Al Azar Mohammed Tantawi; Egyptian Grand Sheikh Mohammed Alla Aboul-Azaim; Dr. Aisha Lemu of Africa; Prof. Sapphire Ahmed, a political science educator in the U.S. Grand Sheikh of Ghana Osman Nuhu; Grand Mufti Sheikh Ekremah Saeed Sabri of Palestine; His Excellency Ali Hasan Mwinyi, the retired President of the Republic of Tanzania; De Paul University historian and professor Dr. Aminah McCloud; Dr. Freeda Shamma of the U.S.; Senegal Grand Sheikh Hassan Cisse; Nigerian Sheikh Abdu-Razak Muhyiddeen and Dr. Cynthia Sulaiman among others.

Sheikh Tijani said a grand imam from Mekkah and representatives from the World Islamic Bank and Rabita (Muslim World League) also will attend.

Last year there were 800 dignitaries and scholars who participated, not including members of the Nation of Islam, Sheikh Tijani said. "This year we have thousands responding. And many are calling me even before I can get a chance to call them," he added.

The response to Min. Farrakhan�s call for the Islamic conferences are rooted in his World Friendship Tours that began in 1996, where he took the message of Muslim unity and atonement from the Million Man March around the world, Sheikh Tijani expressed.

He added that the Minister�s work is a reflection of what the Hon. Elijah Muhammad promised to his followers: "Friendships in all walks of life," he said.

Photos: #1-Min. Farrakhan greets Grand Sheikh Muhammad Alaa Abdul-Azaeim of Egypt and Dr. Imam Shafi Idress of the U.S.; #2-Muslims convene for Jum'ah prayer service during 1997 Islamic conference; #3-Sheikh Ahmed Tijani