German city seeks to censor religious expression accusing cab driver of “illegal religious advertising” over small Bible quote sticker
Christian convert, Jalil Mashali, is issued fine after months of waiting
ADF International is supporting his case
ESSEN, GERMANY (20 February 2024) – The German city of Essen issued a fine against taxi driver Jalil Mashali over alleged unlawful “religious advertising,” because of a small Bible verse sticker on his rear window reading “Jesus – I am the way. The truth. And the life”.
Mashali was asked to respond to the allegation back in October 2023 and was threatened with a fine of up to 1,000 EUR if he failed to do so. The Christian convert has so far declined to remove the sticker. The authorities are now demanding a fine and fees of 88.50 EUR. Mashali is now challenging the fine. ADF International is supporting his case.
“Jesus is the best thing I could recommend to anyone because he changed my life. That’s why I have the sticker on my car for anyone who is interested to see. I’m not looking to cause trouble, but I haven’t done anything wrong. I am grateful for this country where everyone should be free to share their faith. I hope to be able to continue to do so by appealing the unjust fine,” said Jalil Mashali.
"In a free society, the government should not be silencing peaceful expressions of faith. Jalil’s actions are protected by the basic human right to freedom of religion, which includes the right to share one’s deeply held convictions with others. The state must refrain from unjustly interfering with this freedom."
Authorities seek to censor peaceful expression of faith
In October 2023, Mashali received a letter from the road traffic authority in Essen, Germany. The city of Essen argues that the sticker is illegal “religious advertising,” which is not allowed on taxis according to an ordinance that applies to them. Due to the content, location, and small size of the sticker, Mashali has argued that the sticker does not constitute advertising.
Christian conversion followed healing prayer
Mashali has lived in Germany for the past 22 years. He was born and raised a devout Muslim in Iran. After losing his lower left leg in a traffic accident aged 13, he underwent several operations, which left him with chronic pain and wearing a prosthesis. He continued living and working in Iran and eventually married and had two sons.
At age 33, he sought further medical treatment in Germany in hopes of alleviating the pain in his leg. Despite suffering through over 20 surgeries in total, the pain remained unrelenting. It drove Mashali to consider committing suicide at the hospital. At this point, a Christian woman approached him, offering to pray with him. Although skeptical, he accepted. When the pain in his leg fully ceased following her prayer, he began reading the Bible. Mashali now stands firm in his Christian faith. For him, the sticker is not religious advertising but an expression of Mashali’s deeply held convictions.
