President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has wished a happy Easter to all Christians celebrating the religious holiday on Sunday.

"We place great importance on our citizens' ability to live in accordance with their religion, culture and traditions freely, whatever their faith, religion, sect or ethnic background may be in our country," Erdoğan said in a written statement.

He said Turkey comes from a geography that sees differences as part of its rich heritage. He hoped the peaceful coexistence of different religions and sects in the area for hundreds of years would constitute an example for the world.

Erdoğan wished a happy Easter holiday to all Christians in Turkey and around the world.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım also wished a happy Easter to Christians in a written statement.

Yıldırım said Turkey has been a symbol of peace and tolerance for hundreds of years with its churches, synagogues and mosques sharing the same streets.

In addition, Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avcı wished Christians a happy Easter in a separate written statement on Sunday.

Avcı emphasized the importance of respecting different traditions, cultures and faiths.

Around 150,000 Christians are thought to be currently living in Turkey.

Easter is celebrated by Christians to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection three days later.