Controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is to visit the Island next week.

Minister Farrakhan, who was banned from travel to the Island prior to his 1998 visit, will speak on peace and unity between the races at a free rally on Monday.

He was invited by the Emperial Group, who say his "message of Atonement has grown to embrace people and nations of all persuasions".

Said Emperial Group director Eugene Dean: "2009 has been declared by United Nations as the Year of Reconciliation and it is in that spirit that we are bringing Minister Louis Farrakhan to the Island.

"He has been following the media with regards to Bermuda and with that in mind, he has a real interest in coming."

The entire community is invited to attend the free event at the National Stadium on Monday.

The Minister is widely known as an advocate of black interests.

Said Mr. Dean: "He has evolved and his message is really about unification. At this time in Bermuda when our racial divide has grown and the negative social behaviour is constantly increasing, we need to come together in support of positive change.

"The racial divide has really been polarised and we have started to move backwards and we need to quickly arrest that scenario and get back on track and begin moving things forward. It is very important that we become progressive.

"The Minister has a track record of going into, I guess high risk areas, and helping to get beyond differences."

Mr. Dean said Minister Farrakhan plans to address leaders in all facets of the community while here.

Gates open at 5.30 p.m. The event starts at 7 p.m.