Turkish politicians extend Christmas greetings to Christians

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

AA photo

Turkish political leaders released messages of holiday greetings today to Christian citizens in Turkey and the entire Christian world for the Christmas holiday.

Common values shared within Anatolia and the ways in which they contribute to strengthening the country’s national unity were the theme of a message delivered by President Abdullah Gül yesterday in celebration of the Christmas holiday.

“Our common values, which have always been valid in Anatolia, the cradle of civilization that has hosted different religions throughout history and which also reflects the spirit of the Christmas holiday are today strengthening our national unity and togetherness from Istanbul to Mardin, from İzmir to Hatay,” President Gül said.

‘Differences are richness’

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also released a message congratulating Christian citizens. “We are members of a tradition that has, throughout history, respected different religions and cultures, and that has perceived differences as richness. I believe that our determination to build a joint future in this region will continue in the upcoming period in line with this tradition, by always protecting a respect of different faiths and cultures and by living together in peace,” Erdoğan said.
Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek released a message yesterday for the occasion of Christmas in which he expressed hope that meaningful days such as this holiday would continue to contribute to different culture living together without the “otherization” of each other.