Turkey's Erdogan releases message honoring Hanukkah

By Enes Kaplan

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday extended holiday greetings to Turkey’s Jewish citizens and to all Jews on the occasion of Hanukkah, the winter Festival of Lights.

In the message, released by the Presidential Press Office, Erdogan said that Turkey places great importance on the freedom of everyone to observe their own religion and traditions.

"My best wishes for the Hanukkah festival of all Jews, especially the inseparable part of our society's Jewish citizens, with whom we have co-existed peacefully for centuries, and I wish them peace."

Also marking the holiday, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told how throughout history Turkey has embraced all races, religions, and beliefs.

"My best wishes for the Hanukkah festival of our citizens and all Jews, and I wish them health and goodness," he said.

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday marking the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem -- the Holy Temple in the 2nd century B.C.

Hanukkah lasts for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, falling sometime from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.