President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has released a congratulatory message to Turkey’s Jewish community and Jews all over the world who are marking the Passover religious festival this week.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Erdogan described Passover as one of the most important religious feasts of the Jewish people.

Erdogan also said Turkey’s Jews had been an integral part of the country for centuries. "They have been making remarkable contributions to our country in every single area of our economic, commercial and social life," he added.

The Turkish leader also described Turkish Jews as “equal citizens of our country with whom we have been living in peace and confidence”.

The Passover holiday began on Sunday and will last for seven days.

Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt during the time of Prophet Moses, is considered one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religious calendar.