In the message, released by the Prime Ministry Press Center, Erdoğan expresses that Anatolia, where for centuries members of different religions and cultures have lived together in peace, is a center of reciprocal respect and understanding.

Erdoğan's statement reads: ''Do not perceive diversity as an element of discrimination, quite the opposite, as members of a civilization which considers this to be prosperous, we attribute great importance to the fact that everyone who lives in this nation, no matter of what religion they practice, language they speak, or from which ethnic roots or faith; they are able to freely practice their beliefs and traditions without being subject to any form of discrimination.

I believe that by placing importance on staking claim to our cultural prosperity and historical legacy, Turkey will continue in the future to be a nation where diversity and peace will be able to coexist.

It is with these sentiments, that I want offer my sincerest wishes to congratulate our Jewish citizens for Hanukkah and wish them peace, happiness and well-being while also using this occasion to offer my respect and regard to all of our citizens."