Turkish PM’s presidency logo includes prophet’s name in Arabic: Minister

ISTANBUL

The official presidential election campaign logo of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan includes the name of the Prophet Muhammed in Arabic, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said on July 6.

“Did you know that ‘Muhammed’ in Arabic is used in the logo of our presidential candidate, Mr. Erdoğan?” Şimşek wrote via his Twitter account.

The logo stirred a debate after it was first shared with the public, with many suggesting that it resembled the logo used in U.S. President Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012.

Both logos feature a sun to symbolize hope, with the circular shape of the Erdoğan logo tracing the outline of a tunnel. According to AKP officials, the sun - like the light at the end of a tunnel - is where a hard, zigzagging road leads, in reference to Erdoğan’s “journey of life.”

The Erdoğan campaign also announced two official mottos on July 1: “National will, national power” and “The man of the nation, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”