Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan released a message for Easter, the traditional religious holiday celebrated on Sunday by Christians all over the world.

"We, as members of a deep-rooted tradition of showing respect for religious faiths and differences believe that our culture of living together in safety, harmony and peace will prevail just as it has done so in the past. With these sentiments and thoughts, I want to offer my best wishes to all Christians celebrating Easter and especially to those who are our own citizens," said Erdoğan.

Turkey's Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Çiçek also issued a message of celebration for Easter in which he noted that cultures in the Anatolian geography, which has been the land of many civilizations throughout history meet under the roof of tolerance, and that members of different religious faiths are able to co-exist in peace and harmony thereby writing their pages in history.

"It is our greatest wish, during this time in which we are focused on establishing peace, harmony and human values, that all societies understand the importance of meeting under the roof of love and respect. It is with these sentiments that I offer my wishes that Easter will bring peace and harmony to the Christian world and all of humanity," stated Çiçek.