I greet our Christian countrymen on the Paschal Holiday.

Our country, where everyone is able to experience their own faith, culture, and tradition freely, and our nation, in which brotherhood and solidarity are interlocked one to the other with their feelings, continues its incomparable example for the whole world.

From the past up to today, we will continue to walk with sure steps toward the future always together in peace and tranquility as members of a deep-seated culture which is enriched by the enormous contributions of each and every individual of our nation.

On the occasion of Pascha, I wish well-being to my Christian countrymen, and to all Christians, with whom we share the joy that they feel. [End of the message]

Analyst comment:

It is no secret that Turkey, under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been anything but friendly to Christians, despite Islam’s mantra that it considers Christians to be “people of the book.” It was only four years ago that American missionary Andrew Brunson was released after having spent two years in Turkish prisons on charges of terrorism in the aftermath of the attempted July 2016 coup against Erdoğan. It is indeed curious that a die-hard Islamist would attempt to identify with members of a faith for which he has shown animosity and outright hatred in the past by issuing Paschal greetings. Whatever the ostensible reason may be for this message that stresses the inclusiveness of his policies, his ulterior motive is political, no doubt.

I have chosen to gloss the Turkish word ‘Paskalya’ as ‘Pascha’ not only because the two words are cognates from the Greek, but also because it is the word used in the Orthodox community for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Not that Erdoğan would be expected to use the term applied in the West, Easter; however, it may indicate a desire to show deference at a time when he has been attempting mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

By the way, I strongly recommend Brunson’s retelling of his ordeal and of God’s grace to him during those trying times, God’s Hostage: A True Story of Persecution, Imprisonment, and Perseverance.