CHICAGO�A roar of cheers and a standing ovation greeted the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as thousands attended the closing ceremony of the Muslim American Society�s 25th Annual Islamic Convention on Sept. 3.

More than 10,000 attended the power-packed convention, held here Sept. 1-4 at the Palmer House Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kennedy King College and the University of Chicago Pavilion. Conventioneers were immersed in activities related to the conference theme, "The Muslim American Society in the Year 2000 and Beyond."

The crowd became ecstatic while Min. Farrakhan and Imam W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the Muslim American Society, embraced once again after publicly rekindling their relationship in February during Saviours� Day 2000 in Chicago.

"Words are inadequate to say how happy I am to be home with my family and my brother, Imam W.D. Mohammed, an esteemed teacher. I thank Imam W.D. Mohammed for giving me this opportunity. I did not think I would be able to make it here, as I was in Africa yesterday," Min. Farrakhan said.

During his powerful address, Min. Farrakhan encouraged the Black Muslim community to remain united to build a stronger nation and serve as an example for all humanity. The Minister also invited the Muslim American Society to join him at the Million Family March on Oct. 16 in Washington, D.C.

"We want to reconstruct family life with Allah (God) as the center. You know and I know that the family is absolutely dysfunctional. I am asking you, with the permission of the Imam, to join us at the Million Family March. We are asking the men who came to the Million Man March to bring their wives and girlfriends. I am also asking the Imam if he would help me to re-marry and marry us, so that they can make a commitment to stay together as husband as wife and as a family.

"America is the land of freedom and is the greatest nation on earth, but she is dying from within from an internal rot. I believe only Islam can heal and help her to become what America could be," he said.

"It is a great joy to have Min. Louis Farrakhan, the honorable leader of the Nation of Islam with us," said Imam Mohammed, whose keynote address was "The Means and Values of Business on the Plan to Establish Islamic Life in America."

Imam Mohammed said the ability to create jobs and economic empowerment are vital to the Muslim community. A strong economic base will make Muslims able to control their own communities and serve as an example for America and the world, he continued.

There is a need for Black people to do something for themselves, just as the Hon. Elijah Muhammad taught, he said. Waiting for hand-outs shows a lack of faith in Allah (God) and promotes dependency, the Imam argued.

But Muslims should depend on Allah (God) alone, work together as a community and help reform American society, he continued.

"It is clear to me that we have a struggle to hold up our own and defend the excellence of human life. We have an opportunity to do more than look for faults and problems," Imam Mohammed said.

Hundreds of Muslims from different racial communities participated in Sept. 1 Jumuah prayer services at Kennedy King College led by Imam Mohammed. Jumuah is a traditional, congregational prayer service observed by Muslims every Friday.

"In the past, people would walk right past each other, not saying anything and to now see brothers and sisters from various communities give the greetings, that makes me feel wonderful," said Gloria Seifullah Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam, who teaches pre-school at the Muhammad University of Islam.

"I believe it�s time," said Wali Mohammed of Richmond, Calif. "I have been in Islam for 30 years, beginning under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. It�s time for us as a people to come together under the banner, which is Islam, under the direction of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), and with that comes the leadership of the world."

During the two-hour lecture, the Imam made references teachings of his father, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He believed that things the Honorable Elijah Muhammad spoke in the �70s have come true. His father predicted by the end of the �70s the world would be finished and Imam Mohammed agrees. Man will be so busy, overly taxed, he won�t have time to keep moral strength but the destruction will be of what man has made, not the physical world, he continued.

Imam Mohammed leads one of one of the largest Islamic communities in America.

Don�t look for something to increase your doubt, look for something to increase your faith and nothing, big or small matters, is left out of the Holy Qur�an, he said.

The Imam asked the audience to continue to study the words in the Holy Qur�an and manifestations of its teachings with an open mind. The word of God is filled with justice and truth and can never be changed, he said.

During the closing ceremony, the son of the Grand Mufti of Syria acknowledged Min. Farrakhan as "a great friend and brother" of his father, recognized Imam Mohammed for working on behalf of Islam and expressed his joy that the two communities have come together.

The closing ceremony included insightful presentations on "The Muslim Journal," "Islam and the Media" and "Promoting the Best Image in America."

International dignitaries and Muslims from across America participated in the convention. Among dignitaries were Imam Plemon T. El-Amin of Atlanta; Imam Darnell Karim of the Harvey Islamic Center; Imam Ibrahim Pasha of Atlanta; Imam Abdul Hafeez Waheed; Judge David Shaheed of Indianapolis; Sis. Sahirah Muhammad, international president of the International League of Muslim Women, Inc.; Sis. Lateefah Muhammad, a Tuskegee, Ala., councilwoman; and Ahmad Sabree and wife Zaimah of Bronx, N.Y.

Conference workshops were well attended, with seminars devoted to "Family Life," "Music as Culture," "Qur�an Recitation," "Youth Marriage," "Announcing and Celebrating New Births in the Community," "Health," "Our Youth and the Importance of Education," "The Value of Business for Muslims," "The State of Muslim American Society Youth" and "Planning the Future."

During the conference, a special address was given on "Father and Son Relationships" by Imam Muhammad Siddeeq of Indianapolis. The conference included a musical tribute and a fashion extravaganza, a talent show and a basketball tournament.

The Coalition for Good Government and the Muslim American Society also conducted a "Presidential Poll/Mock Election" during the closing ceremony.

The results however were not announced.