Police Arrest Pastor After Commenting on Islam and Transgender Ideology During Street Preaching

Pastor Dia Moodley, a Christian minister in Bristol, was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police last November for commenting on Islam and transgender ideology while street preaching, despite the peaceful nature of his speech. The incident highlights concerns over the use of public order legislation to suppress free expression, raising questions about the boundaries of lawful speech in public spaces.

The pastor, who has a heart condition, was detained for eight hours before being released under bail conditions that restricted his ability to preach in the city centre during the Christmas period. These conditions were later lifted, but police officers visited his home on January 8, questioning him further about the November incident and inviting him to a voluntary interview under caution.

Pastor Moodley, with the support of his legal team, is weighing whether to attend the interview. He remains awaiting a decision on whether he will face criminal charges for his speech. ADF International, a legal advocacy group, is assisting him in considering potential legal action against the police for alleged violations of his free speech rights.

This is not the first time Pastor Moodley has faced arrest for peaceful street preaching. In March 2025, he was twice threatened with arrest for discussing the differences between Christianity and Islam while holding a Quran. During that incident, he was assaulted by Muslim bystanders, and one individual even threatened to stab him, though no charges were brought against the attackers.

The pastor previously met with the US State Department, facilitated by ADF International, to discuss his experiences with censorship in the UK. He described the recent arrest as profoundly challenging, expressing frustration that the police have criminalized him for expressing his Christian beliefs in the public square.

Legal counsel for ADF International, Jeremiah Igunnubole, stated that the arrest reflects a pattern of targeting Pastor Moodley for his peaceful expression and a failure by authorities to address the serious crimes committed against him. He emphasized the need for legislative clarity to protect free speech, particularly as the government finalizes its definition of “anti-Muslim hatred.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

The case underscores the risks of misinterpreting lawful speech as “hateful,” potentially leading to the criminalization of legitimate discussion and criticism. Igunnubole called for an end to the two-tier policing approach, which disproportionately targets individuals for expressing their beliefs. (Ephesians 5:11)

Source: Read the original report

Source record preserved at time of reporting.