‘Except Israel’ to be reinstated on Bangladeshi passports, says home minister

Newly issued Bangladeshi passports will once again carry the phrase “Except Israel”, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (24 May), describing the move as a reflection of both government policy and public sentiment.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Secretariat’s media centre.

The minister said the design of passports and visa pages would also be revised to better reflect Bangladesh’s heritage, culture and people.

“In the past, there was a person-centric presentation there, which does not represent the country’s culture and people,” he said.

According to the minister, the new design will highlight the country’s heritage, culture and tourist attractions. He mentioned the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Tanguar Haor and Cox’s Bazar beach as examples of sites that could be featured.

Salahuddin Ahmed also said discussions were underway about including images of the Bir Shreshthas on currency notes in the future. He noted that the matter falls under the Ministry of Finance but remains under consideration.

He said there would be no political perspective in the redesigned passports and other such presentations.

“We want to come out of the trend of politicising everything,” he said, adding that the focus would be on representing Bangladesh’s history, culture and people.

Govt seeks Sheikh Hasina’s return

Responding to a question about reports regarding the possible return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the home minister said the government had repeatedly requested her extradition from India through diplomatic channels.

“We have sent a letter to the Government of India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for her extradition a long time ago, and we have sent it repeatedly,” he said.

He said the government hoped she would be returned under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries and face legal proceedings in Bangladesh.

New gambling law planned

The minister also said the government was preparing a new law to address online gambling, betting and other modern forms of gambling-related offences.

He said the current law, enacted in 1867, is outdated and no longer sufficient to deal with contemporary forms of gambling, including internet-based betting.

According to the minister, the government hopes to place the proposed law before parliament during its next session.