(SABAH)
President Abdullah Gül released a message to his fellow countrymen to celebrate the Christian holiday.
In his message, President Gül stressed, "Whatever a person's ethnic roots, language, beliefs or political views may be, everyone is an equal citizen in this nation and the Turkish state belongs equally to everyone."
The announcement released by the Presidential Press Center states that Easter, which is one of Christianity's most important holidays, is a time for family, neighbors and friends to come together, as it has been celebrated for hundreds of years.
Expressing that with the end of lent, Easter will be celebrated with great joy by the Christian world, providing the opportunity to deliver messages of peace and harmony throughout the world, President Gül states the following:
"From the bottom of my heart I share the enthusiasm felt by our Christian citizens, which are an integral part of our beloved state, for this Easter holiday. This special day, which evokes mutual love, respect, tolerance and fraternity, undoubtedly strengthens our spirit of unity and togetherness allowing us to look towards tomorrow in trust.
The extraordinary diversity within our nation is our greatest prosperity which constitutes our cultural legacy. This prosperity, which we have upheld with pride from the past to the present, is one of the most fundamental honors enjoyed by the Republic of Turkey.
Whatever a person's ethnic roots, language, beliefs or political views may be, everyone is an equal citizen in this nation and the Turkish state belongs equally to everyone.
This understanding, which is nourished by the unifying spirit of Anatolia, the cradle of cultures and civilizations, and living together with all of our public's beautiful variations is the greatest epiphany.
With this sentiment and these emotions, we want to congratulate all of our Christian citizens, all of those visiting Christians who are spending Easter in our country as well as Christians throughout the world on this holiday, and I wish for well-being and happiness."
