A BELFAST preacher who had charges brought against him over his controversial remarks about Islam is to address Muslim leaders at a conference in Co Down.
Pastor James McConnell will speak at the 'Meeting of People of Influence' event in Rostrevor next week, which will include Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders as well as politicians, scholars and artists.
The outspoken Evangelical Christian cleric provoked outrage on 2014 when during a sermon at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, he described Islam as "heathen", "satanic" and "a doctrine spawned in hell".
During the sermon, Pastor McConnell said he did not trust Muslims. While he later apologised, the Public Prosecution Service brought charges against him.
He was later acquitted in court after a judge found his remarks did not amount to being "grossly" offensive under the law.
The preacher will be joined at the event on March 9 by Muslim cleric and Irish traditional singer Sheikh Dr Muhammad Al Hussaini, who testified on behalf of Pastor McConnell's right to free speech.
It will take the form of a concert and interview format with other Muslim guests including Sheikh Dr Umar Al Qadri and Sheikh Dr Ali Saleh as well as a delegation from the Belfast Islamic Centre.
Belfast Catholic priest Fr Patrick McCafferty will also be among the guests at the two-day conference, which is organised by singer Tommy Sands and artists, peace cre-activists, journalists and academics based in Rostrevor.
It is based on the tradition of the annual 'Music of Healing' seminar, which began in Rostrevor during the early 1990s and aims to "facilitate meetings of opposite sides in the Northern Ireland conflict".
Friday's event, which is private, will see global insecurity, religious extremism, Brexit and the future of the Stormont assembly discussed by participants.
