Symbolic ‘Rabia’ sculpture on Erdoğan’s desk draws attention

ANKARA

AA photo

A sculpture in the shape of the four-fingered “Rabia” hand gesture on the desk of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has drawn attention after being photographed during his phone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama.

The photo, made public on Nov. 10, shows Erdoğan talking at his desk at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. A plaque under the sculpture can be read stating “One nation, one flag, one homeland, one state” - a slogan often uttered by Erdoğan.

The “Rabia” gesture became popular among sympathizers of the Muslim Brotherhood around the world. It was named after Rabia Square in Cairo, which was the site of a brutal crackdown against mass protests against the coup d’etat that overthrew former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Turkish President Erdoğan, a harsh critic of the Egyptian regime, has often made the gesture during public speeches.