Full title: Syrian passports include a photo of Souq al-Hamidiyah, a famous historic marketplace in Damascus. Apparently, the image was taken from the internet without removing the photographer’s watermark, “Wassim al-Asmar Photography,” which means the watermark ended up being printed on Syrian passports.

The image used on Syrian passports features a photograph of Souq al-Hamidiyah, a historic marketplace in Damascus. The photo appears to have been sourced from the internet without removing the photographer’s watermark, “Wassim al-Asmar Photography,” resulting in the watermark being printed on the passports.

Gallery image 2

  • Enkrod@feddit.orgEnglish
    15·
    3 hours ago

    Depending on the state of the Syrian justice system someone is either going to cash out or “donate” the image to avoid pissing off the government.

    • TheJesusaurus@piefed.caEnglish
      10·
      2 hours ago

      This is one of those ones where like, I’d absolutely have donated if the government said they liked my photo and wanted to put it in the passport. But since you did it without asking now I’ll burn my whole life down if I have to to make sure you never get it

  • k0e3@lemmy.caEnglish
    5·
    2 hours ago

    I can’t find anything about this online. Anyone have a source?

    • NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      2·
      57 minutes ago

      I don’t know either. This is reposted from reddit, and no one there even thought to ask. However someone did link to the photographer’s page on facebook and another user claims to have checked a real passport and confirm it, but this is the internet (and worse, reddit) so take it with a grain of salt. If this is true, it’s possible that the reddit OP is the first person to publicize this.

      • k0e3@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        19 minutes ago

        Thanks for the info! Of course, the dumb-dumbs over at Reddit wouldn’t questions it…

        Anyway, the last redesign-related news I can find is Jan. 2025. There’s no way that not a single Syrian noticed that obvious mistake for over 1 year, right?? I also couldn’t find that specific photo on the first page or tagged photos section on his facebook (I didn’t bother to scroll down any further because I’d need an account and… FUUUUCK THAT). You’d think a photo that was used for the country’s passport would be tagged on his page, right?

        Lastly, even if this were real, it’s not really mildlyinfuriating. It’s more like nottheonion or even worldnews.

        Sorry, rant over.