CHICAGO�The anxiously awaited return to the public of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan will be realized Feb. 25 when the popular leader graces the rostrum at Christ Universal Temple here for the Nation of Islam�s annual Saviours� Day celebration.

Recovering from recent surgery, Min. Farrakhan is expected to take the stage at 2:45 p.m. to deliver a message that will be viewed via satellite in 60 cities. Saviours� Day is a celebration of the birth of Master W. Fard Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam in North America and teacher of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

"Since his absence, so many things have occurred," said Min. Ishmael Muhammad, assistant minister at Mosque Maryam, the Nation of Islam�s headquarters. "And we can expect that he will touch on some of these things, like the change in national leadership, the continuing crisis in the Middle East and so much more," he said.

"You can always expect that when the leader undergoes anything as serious as his near-death experience and his recent surgery, which was very major, that he will share with us his experiences.

"I expect that God has shown him a lot in the last four months. And for those of us who have been tried by his absence, it has been a time of reflection for us as a community," he said.

The beloved Muslim leader�s last major public appearance was during the Million Family March, held Oct. 16 on the Federal Mall, where thousands of families heard a message of spiritual and moral upliftment.

Several weeks later, Min. Farrakhan entered Howard University Hospital for surgery that is expected to bring him to full recovery from the life-threatening effects of radiation treatments for prostate cancer.

"His recovery has been going as scheduled; in fact, it has exceeded the doctors� expectations," Min. Ishmael said.

He added: "We can expect to see a very vibrant, strong and youthful leader; the kind of leader a community can be proud of, not only because of the wisdom in his head, but because of the example he is to our community as a man of character, strong will and determination," he said.

The event at Christ Universal Church, 11901 S. Ashland Ave., in Chicago is free and open to the public. The satellite coordinates are Telstar 5/Transponder 19 KU Band Audio 6.2 6.8. Also, GE-2 Transponder 6/C-Band.