Christian Preacher Cleared in Free Speech Case After Islam Criticism

Street Preacher Wins Legal Battle Over Islam Criticism

In a recent turn of events, a Christian street preacher, who faced legal action following his critical comments on Islam, has emerged victorious in the name of free speech. The case against the preacher was dismissed at Wolverhampton Crown Court due to insufficient evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Karandeep Mamman, aged 33, faced charges under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for allegedly causing religiously aggravated harassment in Walsall town centre on January 14, 2023. During his sermon, Mr. Mamman expressed that the portrayal of Jesus in the Quran is not aligned with Christian beliefs, describing Islam as presenting a “wrong Jesus” and critiquing the teachings of Muhammad.

The situation escalated when Mr. Mamman reported being threatened by a group of Muslims who allegedly warned of physical harm. Additionally, a sign he held, which labeled homosexuality as sinful, was torn by two individuals thought to be a same-sex couple.

Represented by the Christian Legal Centre, Mr. Mamman’s legal team asserted that he was persistently followed and harassed by the group until police presence intervened. Despite ensuring his safety, the police later conducted a voluntary interview with Mr. Mamman, leading to the charges.

Following the court’s decision to dismiss the case, Mr. Mamman shared his relief and reiterated his mission to preach the gospel, stating, “My aim always when preaching is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and that all of us can only be saved if we follow His teaching.” He reflected on the intimidation he faced and emphasized the importance of protecting free speech and personal safety.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented on the outcome, highlighting concerns about free speech in the UK. “We are pleased that this case has gone no further, but it is very concerning that it got this far,” she stated. Williams called for greater efforts to safeguard free speech and religious freedoms in public spaces across the nation.