Turkish PM gives Hanukkah message

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

PM Erdoğan underlines the understanding of different religions and cultures in his Hannukah message. AA photo

Underlining Anatolia’s tradition of mutual respect and understanding of different religions and cultures, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended holiday greetings to the country’s Jewish citizens on the occasion of the Hanukkah holiday Dec. 8.

Erdoğan released a written message at the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, a day after a similar message was released by President Abdullah Gül Dec. 7.

“We, who are members of a civilization which doesn’t perceive differences as a disintegrating element, but on the contrary view them to be a richness, are attaching great importance to everybody in this country living -- no matter what their religion, language, ethnic origin and faith is – their faith and traditions freely, without being exposed to any discrimination,” Erdoğan said.

“I believe that Turkey, by taking pains to claim its rich cultural and historical heritage, will continue to be a country where differences live in peace,” Erdoğan said, wishing peace, happiness and well-being to Jewish citizens.