Bermuda could be a shining model for other nations to follow if she adheres to the principles of justice, a Muslim Minister said yesterday.

And while the Island may be small in size, her significance as a player on the world stage cannot be underestimated or taken lightly.

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan shared these ideas at a Press conference yesterday just minutes after he alighted a private jet around 5.30 p.m.

Minister Farrakhan, 64, arrived with an entourage of 24 persons including his wife and son and the wife of former Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad.

Among those who met him at the Airport were members of the local Nation of Islam and PLP Shadow Affairs Minister Ewart Brown.

He spoke to a crowd at the Somerset Cricket Club last night where he expounded on the themes of atonement and responsibility.

During the Press conference, however, Minister Farrakhan, who had arrived from a trip from Cuba, and will be travelling to Canada later this morning, said he intended to keep close ties with the local population. "(Bermuda) is a tiny island. One of the most beautiful in the world,'' he said. "But it has its history of pain and suffering for our people.

"But in the long march toward independence and self determination I think Bermuda, as small as she is, can be a wonderful example to big nations.'' He added: "If Bermuda can erase racism and sexism and establish a nation built on the principles of justice, then Bermuda will be the launching pad for the Kingdom of God on earth.'' Born in Boston, on May 11, 1933, Minister Farrakhan came to Bermuda as a two-year-old with his mother, a native of St. Kitts. She worked as a seamstress in St. George's.

Her first husband was a Bermudian who died here during the flu epidemic of 1919.

His relatives are members of the Mills, Manning and Manchester families.

He returned to the Island in October 1974 to dedicate a new mosque on Curving Avenue, Hamilton.

The following year, the Nation of Islam newspaper, the Final Call, was imported into the Island but was soon banned because authorities charged that it violated the Prohibited Publications Act.

Minister Farrakhan, a former professional singer, was placed on the stop list in 1985 but a request was made to the Government to take him off.

Immigration officer John Payne said: "A request was made to remove his name from the stop list and that decision was made five years ago. This is not anything new.

"I am not at liberty to say who made the request. That is classified information which only the Immigration Minister can release.'' Minister Farrakhan praised the work of local Nation of Islam member Byron Muhammad for the work he did to get the ban lifted.