President Erdoğan underlines tolerance in his Christmas message

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a Christmas greeting to mark the occasion of the Christian holiday, in which he highlighted the significance of "tolerance."

The message, which was released Wednesday by the Presidency Press Center, reads: "I would like to convey my sincere greetings to all our citizens of the Christian faith who will celebrate Christmas.

"Throughout history, Anatolia has been a land where different religions, cultures and ethnicities have lived together and where racism, discrimination, animosity or hatred have never found a fertile soil to grow.

"All those people who have fled from wars, oppression and sufferance have found in this country a shelter, an environment of immense tolerance and a safe harbor in their most difficult times.

"Today, Turkey still continues to be a place where all of its citizens, regardless of their religion, faith, ethnic origin or sect live in peace, serenity and security, confident of their future amid regional conflicts and instabilities.

"As we have always lived together in unity and solidarity throughout history, we shall continue to regard the diversities in our country as a source of richness; and we shall to build up the future together on the basis of respect for each other.

"In this regard, I hope that Christmas will be celebrated by our Christian citizens, belonging to different churches and traditions, in an occasion that strengthens this understanding, and helps to foster the climate of solidarity and tolerance.

"With these thoughts and sentiments, I would like to, once again, wish a happy Christmas to all those in the Christian world, and particularly our Christian citizens, and I wish them peace, happiness and welfare."