Erdoğan extends Christmas greetings
ANKARA
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has wished a merry Christmas to the country’s Christians in a message in which he stressed on cultural diversity in Turkey and the historic role of Anatolia in “harboring those who escaped conflict, persecution, war, and
oppression.”
“We, as the adherents of an ancient tradition that is based on respect for thoughts, beliefs and basic human rights, regard the presence in our geography of different religions and cultures as a valuable asset today as well. This understanding, which constitutes the basis of our nation’s peace, security, unity and solidarity, is the greatest power we have that will enable our peaceful co-existence in the future, too."
"I wish that the Christmas, celebrated by our Christian citizens from different denominations, traditions and churches in line with their beliefs, will lead to the strengthening of the climate of solidarity in our country. I wish our Christian citizens and the whole Christian world a merry Christmas,” he said in a written message published on the Presidency’s website on Dec. 23
