Pastor Resumes Street Preaching Amid Ongoing Investigation
(Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom)
In Bristol, a pastor has reignited his street preaching activities after a hiatus prompted by legal scrutiny. Pastor Dia Moodley, previously arrested in November for his public remarks concerning Islam and transgender issues, has been navigating a legal investigation related to these comments.
Moodley’s arrest last year was based on allegations of a “religiously aggravated” public order offence under the Public Order Act 1986, marking his second such arrest after the first in March 2024, which was ultimately dismissed.
Despite initially pausing his street ministry to avoid further legal complications, Moodley returned to preaching during Easter, driven by his conviction of its importance to his faith.
He expressed concerns before resuming his public sermons, noting, “The police investigation had hindered my public ministry because of the uncertainty over whether the police consider my entirely lawful speech to be a crime because it offends Muslims and others.”
In a statement to The Telegraph, Moodley conveyed his apprehension about potential re-arrest, stating a “fear in my heart” about the possibility during Easter sermons.
Recently, Moodley attended a voluntary police interview where he was questioned about his decision to preach in areas with specific audience demographics. He criticized the police approach as “two-tier policing” and as having a “bias” against Christian views, arguing that such actions contribute to the marginalization of Christianity in public spaces in favor of other beliefs.
He urged law enforcement to cease their investigation, saying, “I consider public preaching to be an essential part of my worship, which the police have de facto inhibited, due to their investigation.”
He also remarked, “There are no Islamic or progressive blasphemy laws in this country, and yet time and time again the police have censored me as if there are.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF) has offered support to Pastor Moodley. ADF’s legal counsel, Jeremiah Igunnubole, highlighted that causing offence doesn’t equate to criminality.
Igunnubole emphasized, “Bristol city centre is not a Muslim area or a progressive area in which [Christian] worldviews cannot be criticised.”
He further noted, “Every area in Britain is subject to the rule of law, which includes the protection of the right to freedom of speech. Permitting one group to have a veto over another undermines the principle of equality under the law and reintroduces blasphemy laws through the backdoor.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
