Turkish president and prime minister release Novruz messages

Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan released messages on Sunday on the occasion of Nevruz, a traditional festival marking the beginning of spring.

"Regardless of their ethnic background, religious belief, language and political opinion, everyone in Turkey is inseparable and equal citizens of this country," Gül said.

"Nevruz is the symbol of the awakening of nature, hopeful beginnings and fertility. It is celebrated not only in Turkey, but in a vast region from Asia to the Balkans, from the Middle East to Anatolia, with a great enthusiasm. It constitutes a powerful cultural tie among peoples of this area," he said.

Gül said Nevruz was a festival reminding people of the importance of values such as peace, brotherhood and love.

"Therefore, we should celebrate it peacefully. Our nation is aware of the value of living as a whole, with peace and tranquility. Differences and diversities are our biggest assets," he said.

Erdoğan said in his statement that Nevruz, a feast that has been celebrated across a wide region from Central Asia to Europe for centuries, symbolized rebirth and refreshment.

"We will celebrate this meaningful day all together, hand in hand. We will embrace each other knowing that we are the basic elements of this land with all our differences," said Erdoğan.

"We are members of a culture and faith which describe the earth as 'Mother Earth' and which says that we were created from the earth and will one day return to it. Therefore, the rebirth of the earth represents the refreshment of life and humanity for us," he said.


/Hurriyet Daily News/