TURKEY

Unity Messages for Hanukkah from the State Officials

Starting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, many mayors and political party leaders sent greetings for the Hanukkah Festival which has started on the evening of Sunday, November 28th, and will last until the evening of Sunday, December 5th.
Unity Messages for Hanukkah from the State Officials

President Erdoğan in his message said “Our region has for thousands of years been a home to different cultures all of which are very valuable. Cognizant of the historic responsibility brought about by this richness, by opposing to language, religious and racial discrimination, we consider it to be one of our most important duties to ensure that all our citizens coexist freely and safely." and added "Amid growing intolerance to different faiths and identities in the world, we disapprove of any discrimination and take all the necessary steps to duly fulfill this responsibility placed on us by history. With these thoughts in mind, I congratulate all Jews, especially our Jewish citizens, on Hanukkah, and wish that this special day may bring well-being to them.”

Ekrem Imamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, shared his wishes for Hanukkah via his social media account, both in Turkish and English. Imamoğlu, in his message from his Twitter account in English, stated, "Wishing a happy Hanukkah to the Jewish community in Istanbul and anywhere else in the world. May the light of the Hanukkah candles bring hope and prosperity... Hag Hanukkah Sameach!

Among other state officials who have celebrated the Hanukkah Festival via their social media accounts are, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Acting Chairman of AK Party Binali Yildirim, Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, Mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Lütfü Savaş, Mayor of Edirne Recep Gürkan, Chairman of Memleket [Country] Party Muharrem Ince, Chairman of Deva Party Ali Babacan.

Mayors of various districts of Istanbul, Mayor of Şişli Muammer Keskin, Mayor of Beşiktaş Riza Akpolat, Mayor of Kadiköy Atty. Şerdil Dara Odabaşi, Mayor of Beyoğlu Haydar Ali Yildiz, Mayor of Princes' Islands Erdem Gül, Mayor of Sariyer Şükrü Genç, Mayor of Ataşehir Battal Ilgezdi, Mayor of Maltepe Ali Kiliç also congratulated the Hanukkah Festival of their neighbors.

Also the Izmir sports club 'Altay Sports Club' congratulated the Hanukkah Festival saying, "Happy Hanukkah - Festival of Light to all our Jewish supporters." via their Twitter account.

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