Christmas celebrations will enhance climate of solidarity, Erdoğan says

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a message on Saturday to the country's Christian citizens ahead of Christmas, in a statement focused on co-existence.

"I wish that the Christmas celebrated by our Christian citizens from different denominations, traditions and churches in line with their beliefs, will lead to the strengthening of the climate of solidarity in our country," Erdoğan said.

He described the diversity of religions in the country as a "valuable asset." Understanding this is "the greatest power we have that will enable our peaceful co-existence," he added.

Erdoğan, leader of the Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party (AK Party), also recently released a message for Hanukkah, in which he described Jewish citizens as "an inseparable part of our society."

"We will continue to maintain the climate of peace and calm, based on mutual respect and love, in our heavenly homeland," he said in that message earlier this month.