LOS ANGELES (FinalCall.com)�They will come in the name of unity from many different cities, states, countries and various backgrounds. The young, old, Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, White, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, college graduate and high school drop-out will engulf the city February 13-17 for the Nation Of Islam�s World Saviours� Day 2002 Convention and Expo, convened by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Themed "Healing The Wounds To Bring About A Universal Family," its events are slated for the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Great Western Forum. Much anticipated by local activists, politicians, spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs, this historic event marks Min. Farrakhan�s 25th year anniversary of rebuilding the mission and work of the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad, which he began in Los Angeles.

This year marks the first time since 1983 that the Nation of Islam has hosted its February Saviours� Day outside Chicago, the Nation�s capital city. In 1983, the event was held in Gary, Ind., to help spark economic activity in that predominantly Black city a short drive from Chicago.

"The Minister wants to give the Believers a refund on their spirit, and that�s what we aim to do," said Western Region Min. Tony Muhammad, whose L.A. Mosque No. 27 is host mosque for the convention/expo. Saviours� Day will have a great and positive worldwide impact because it is in line with cultural, ethnic, and spiritual unity, Min. Tony added, as he conducted one of the many wee hour-of-the-morning planning meetings for the event. "We have been working day and night to be certain that, not only the Minister is pleased, but that our guests, who will be visiting from all over the world, enjoy themselves and leave more enriched than when they came to L.A.," Min. Tony continued.

Min. Farrakhan will kick-off the five-day gathering Feb. 13 with his violin concerto, "A Musical Tribute To Humanity," at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts, and close out on Feb. 17 with his keynote address at the Great Western Forum.

Honorary co-chairs are actor/comedian Steve Harvey, designer Karl Kani, business mogul Earvin "Magic" Johnson and hip-hop guru Russell Simmons.

"Our guests can expect five days of fulfilling activities, from the Minister�s [concert] and address, right down to the personalized book making and face painting for the youths," said Western Region executive assistant Janet Muhammad.

A key member of the Saviours� Day Executive Planning Committee, Sister Janet said that no detail has been overlooked in efforts to make the event joyous, enlightening, and informative for all attendees, whatever their age or affiliation.

Scheduled adult workshops include: Atonement; Women in Religion; Children of Abraham; Education; A.I.D.S.; Ethnic and Cultural Diversity; the Prison Industrial Complex; Street Peace or Gang Summit; Male/Female Relationships; the Digital Divide; Employment Opportunities; African and International Dialogue; Financial Freedom; and the Media-Shaping Image of a People.

For youth ages 5-18, there will be a religious recital, science fair and workshops on business and banking for children and respecting differences. Other programs include a basketball tournament, talent show, a suicide prevention/crisis intervention program seminar and a rites of passage program.

For children ages 4 and under, interactive childcare will be available at the banner hotels, equipped with state-licensed, CPR certified child-care specialists.

"This will be an absolutely exciting, fun and emotional occurrence that�s right on time, considering the state of the world. It�s the beginning of a much-needed process for all of humanity," Sis. Janet continued.

Author/educator and literary agent Dr. Rosie Milligan said the mass multi-cultural gathering will be a positive vehicle for the city, and will present an opportunity for Blacks to be looked upon as they really are, and not as they are portrayed to be.

"I believe a World Saviours� Day, open to all, is positive. Since we live in a multi-cultural city and state, it will help us all come together further to learn about each other�s differences, as well similarities," she stated.

Councilman Nate Holden agreed, saying the event might help curb the city�s ethnic division.

"I would hope that it would bring about unity. If people have evil thoughts and intentions and they can�t be reached, then that�s their problem. But as long as you�ve extended an open hand and welcomed all, then those who choose to participate will be fine," he stated.

On a motion brought by Councilwoman Jan Perry (Ninth District), the L.A. City Council waived the $30,000 Convention Center fees for use of facilities during the affair, despite the Anti-Defamation League�s (ADL) attempts to derail the annual event by calling on the council to reconsider the decision.

According to sources, although councilmen Jack Weiss and Eric Garcetti voted for the fee waiver in December, they withdrew their support after complaints by the ADL, an organization that was fined in 1996 for spying on U.S. organizations, many of them Black.

Min. Tony said the fees were waived because a large aspect of Saviours� Day is Min. Farrakhan�s scheduled gang summit, designed to help curtail bloodshed and gang violence. This, he said, along with the overall family, education and spiritual focus of Saviours� Day, will help city officials, including law enforcement, improve the quality of life for Los Angelinos, and therefore, qualified the Nation of Islam for the fee waiver.

"The ADL is simply up to their old tricks of charging Min. Farrakhan with anti-Semitism, of which he is innocent, but they, no one, will be able to stop us," Min. Tony said, reflecting on the Nation�s determination to host a successful event.

Beyond helping to heal family, economic, religious and educational wounds, Saviours� Day 2002 is expected to bring over $3 million dollars to the local economy.

Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Officer Lt. Horace Frank said the LAPD and its Community Relations Division have been working closely with Min. Tony and his staff to ensure success.

"I think we have to look beyond the conventional means of addressing our community�s problems�like gangs�and ought to be open to looking at legitimate avenues or ways in which we are going to address this problem," he said.

Lt. Frank added that the LAPD is hopeful that Min. Farrakhan�s efforts are successful because they equate to success for the department and the communities they serve.

"We welcome the assistance of the Minister (Farrakhan) because it�s not a police problem, it�s a community problem," Lt. Frank said, referring to gang warfare and community policing.

(To register on-line for Saviours� Day 2002, book hotels, car rentals, etc., visit the official website at http://www.noiwest.org)