Crossword Genius

Symbol to bear Muslim leader (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

totem

'symbol' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bear muslim leader' is the wordplay.
'bear' becomes 'tote' (I've seen this in other clues).
'leader' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'muslim' is 'm'.
'tote'+'m'='TOTEM'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Natural object carved on poles by North American Indians" , "Representative of family" , "Motet (anag.)" , "emblem of tribe?" , "Symbolic pole" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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