President Erdoğan gives Hanukkah message
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wished a happy Hanukkah to Turkey's Jewish community on Monday.
In a written statement, the president advocated for the "freedom of faith" and noted reforms made in Turkey in the past decade "that strengthened our nation's unity, solidarity and sense of belonging as well as enabling our citizens to exercise their right of belief," he said.
"I wish all Jewish people, primarily our Jewish citizens who are an inseparable element of our society, a happy Hanukkah, peace and happiness," Erdoğan said in his message.
"We are members of a civilization which regards diversity in our social, cultural, political and humanitarian lives as richness and respects freedom of faith and religion. This tradition which allowed our people - regardless of their religion, language or ethnicity - to coexist in peace for centuries is the main contributor to our country's lauded rise in the region and the world," Erdoğan said in his message.
Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jews worldwide for eight days and nights and is celebrated on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November to late December on the secular calendar. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "dedication," as the holiday celebrates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish victory against the Seleucid monarchy in 165 B.C.
Turkey has about 18,000 Jews according to the figures of the Turkish Jewish community who started the eight-day celebration on Sunday. During Hanukkah, Jews burn menorahs or a candelabrum for eight days, adding one new candle each day.
In a written statement, the president advocated for the "freedom of faith" and noted reforms made in Turkey in the past decade "that strengthened our nation's unity, solidarity and sense of belonging as well as enabling our citizens to exercise their right of belief," he said.
"I wish all Jewish people, primarily our Jewish citizens who are an inseparable element of our society, a happy Hanukkah, peace and happiness," Erdoğan said in his message.
"We are members of a civilization which regards diversity in our social, cultural, political and humanitarian lives as richness and respects freedom of faith and religion. This tradition which allowed our people - regardless of their religion, language or ethnicity - to coexist in peace for centuries is the main contributor to our country's lauded rise in the region and the world," Erdoğan said in his message.
Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jews worldwide for eight days and nights and is celebrated on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November to late December on the secular calendar. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "dedication," as the holiday celebrates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish victory against the Seleucid monarchy in 165 B.C.
Turkey has about 18,000 Jews according to the figures of the Turkish Jewish community who started the eight-day celebration on Sunday. During Hanukkah, Jews burn menorahs or a candelabrum for eight days, adding one new candle each day.
Last Update: December 07, 2015 20:25