Avon and Somerset Police Detain Christian Street Preacher Dia Moodley for Alleged Religious Hatred in Bristol City Centre

A Christian street preacher has found himself at the centre of a legal storm after delivering a sermon that touched on Islam and transgender ideology.

Pastor Dia Moodley, 58, was arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred following his November sermon, according to his legal team, the ADF UK.

The arrest sparked a debate over freedom of speech and religious expression in public spaces.

Legal Team Warns of Broader Pattern

Dia Moodley’s legal counsel, Jeremiah Igunnubole, argues that this case is far from isolated.

He believes it reflects a wider trend in which police action risks criminalising lawful religious expression.

Moodley was detained for eight hours last November and released on bail with restrictions, including a temporary ban from Bristol city centre during the Christmas period.

“Being arrested for peacefully commenting on Islam and transgender ideology feels like the imposition of de facto blasphemy laws,” Igunnubole said.

“The police seem to be treating a law-abiding Christian pastor as an easy target, apparently more concerned about the possibility of offence than upholding freedom of expression.”

Repeated Police Attention

This is not the first time Pastor Moodley has faced police scrutiny.

He was previously arrested in March 2024 and has had ongoing disputes with authorities over restrictions placed on his public speech regarding other religions.

Avon and Somerset Police even invited him for a voluntary interview under caution in January, following the November incident.

“The repeated arrests and restrictions have had a profoundly negative impact on me,” Moodley said.

“It’s surreal that expressing my Christian beliefs in the public square can be treated as a criminal offence.

I’ve always been law-abiding, and yet the authorities seem determined to silence me.”

Police Statement and Public Order Law

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that Moodley was arrested on November 22 at about 2:30 pm in Broadmead, Bristol, on suspicion of assault by beating and a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence.

He was released on bail until the end of December with conditions barring him from parts of Bristol city centre.

These restrictions were lifted in mid-December after representations from Moodley.

The public order offence falls under the Public Order Act 1986, which governs behaviour in public spaces to prevent harassment or threats.

However, critics argue the law can be applied too broadly, risking the criminalisation of peaceful expression.

Concerns Over Freedom of Speech

Igunnubole and supporters argue that Pastor Moodley’s case highlights an inconsistent, two-tier policing system.

They warn that without clear legislative safeguards, citizens risk having legitimate, peaceful speech misinterpreted as hateful or criminal.

This concern is especially pressing as the UK government finalises a broad definition of “anti-Muslim hatred,” which could inadvertently censor legitimate discourse about Islam.

Legal experts caution that such ambiguity can lead to authorities misinterpreting ordinary discussion or criticism as criminal behaviour.

The Human Toll

For Moodley, the legal battles are not just about principle—they have had a personal impact.

“It’s been extremely challenging personally. I feel targeted for simply sharing my faith publicly,” he said.

Advocates argue that the case underscores the delicate balance between protecting communities from hate speech and ensuring citizens can freely express their beliefs.

What’s Next

Pastor Dia Moodley’s case is set to test the balance between freedom of expression and public order in the UK.

His legal team will continue to challenge the interpretation of laws that have led to his repeated arrests, pushing for clearer legislation to protect lawful religious speech.

The outcome could influence how authorities handle peaceful public commentary on religion and social issues across the country.

Summary

Pastor Dia Moodley, a Christian street preacher, was arrested in Bristol for allegedly inciting religious hatred after preaching on Islam and transgender issues.

His legal team argues the arrest reflects a broader pattern of targeting peaceful religious expression.

Moodley has faced repeated police attention and restrictions on his public presence.

Critics warn that UK laws, particularly public order regulations and upcoming definitions of anti-Muslim hatred, risk criminalising legitimate speech.

Moodley and his legal counsel are advocating for clearer legislative protections to preserve freedom of expression.