No fine for Bible text on taxi; German city drops penalty
Mashili's car with Gospel sticker. Photo Jalil Mashali
Central Europe
The German City of Essen has dropped a fine against the Bible text on a taxi.
On Tuesday morning, taxi driver Jalil Mashali confirmed a report by IDEA that he is free from persecution now.
Last year, the Iranian-born Mashali was fined because he had a sticker on his car with a cross and the text from John 14 verse 6: Jesus – I am the way. The truth. And the life.
According to the city, this constituted unauthorised “religious advertising,” which is not permitted on taxis under Essen’s legislation.
However, Mashali insisted that the sticker could not be classified as advertising due to its content, location at the bottom of the rear window, and small size.
With the support of the Christian human rights organisation ADF International, he took legal action against the fine.
Even after being confirmed that he would be fined in February of this year, Mashali refused to remove the sticker. However, he has since handed in the vehicle, which he used as a self-employed taxi operator. He has given up the ‘adventure’ of self-employment and now works as an employee for another taxi company.
Mashali –who was born Muslim but was converted to Christianity– looks back happily, he said to CNE. “The name of Jesus has been glorified as much as I could. It is all about Him, not about me. Many people were encouraged by this message.”
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