Passport to contain watermarks to feature Sayed, Mugdha and Wasim

Bangladesh has reinstated the phrase "Except Israel" on its passports, six years after it was removed during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official order on Sunday directing the Department of Immigration and Passports to take the necessary steps to implement the change.

At the same time, the pictures of Abu Sayed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughdho and Wasim Akram, who were killed in the July 2024 uprising, will be added to the watermark of the new e-passport. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a government order in this regard on Sunday (July 19).

According to the government order, the newly issued e-passport will now have the phrase ‘Except for Israel’. In addition, the design and watermark of the e-passport booklet have been rearranged. The officials concerned said that the decision has been taken in line with the country’s foreign policy, public opinion and Bangladesh’s long-standing position on the Palestine issue.

The new watermark, titled 'July Mass Uprising 2024', features a picture of Abu Sayed standing with his hands outstretched in Rangpur, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughdho standing with water in his hands in Azampur, and Wasim Akram wearing a jersey with the national flag. Symbols of all religions have also been added.

The new e-passport will have watermarks of the national flower Shapla, Royal Bengal Tiger, Doel, Shaheed Minar, National Memorial, National Parliament Building, Supreme Court, Kantoji Temple, Shikha Anirban, Lalbagh Fort, Cox's Bazar Beach, Tanguar Haor, Hilsa, Nilgiri, Ahsan Manzil, Jackfruit, Golden Temple, Baitul Mukarram, Panam Nagar, Curzon Hall, Shatgambuj Mosque, Jute, Tea Garden, Sundarbans, Holy Rosary Church and Zainul Abedin's painting 'Sangram'.

On the other hand, the new design has removed the watermarks of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Mausoleum, Independence Pillar, Model Mosque, Bangabandhu Bridge (Jamuna Bridge), Bangabandhu Novotheater, Bangabandhu Satellite, Padma Bridge, Metrorail, boats, Cox's Bazar Seaport, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Mujibnagar Memorial.

Home Ministry sources said that the phrase 'except Israel' was removed from the passport when the e-passport was launched in 2020. It has been reinstated as per the new decision. The Department of Immigration and Passports said that these changes will be effective in the new passports in a phased manner. No immediate changes will be required for current passport holders; they will get the new version of the passport when it expires.