Turkish president wishes happy Easter to all Christians

ANKARA President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 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," Erdogan 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. Erdogan wished a happy Easter holiday to all Christians in Turkey and around the world. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also wished a happy Easter to Christians in a written statement. Yildirim 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 Avci wished Christians a happy Easter in a separate written statement on Sunday. Avci 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.