Gul attends fas-breaking dinner

President Abdullah Gul attended a fast breaking dinner (iftar) yesterday which was given by Alawite-Bektashi Federations in Istanbul Polat Hotel. Attending the dinner were Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin, Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Celik, Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Kadir Topbas, Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Gursel Tekin, Justice and Development Party (AKP) Istanbul deputy Hakan Sukur, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkey's Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva. Speaking at the dinner, Gul said, "Today, there are representatives both from Muslim and non-Muslim communities here. The most important thing is to be aware of realities of our country. All the problems derive from the lack of knowledge about each other and realities of our country." Stating that there are a great many different cultures, cuisines, accents and food across Turkey, which also embraces cem houses, mosques and monasteries for, Gul said that Turkey has been so self-confident that it has ensured the co-existence of mosques, synagogues and churches at one place, and that it should support the same self-confidence now. "The fathers and grandfathers of all of us were born in this country, and this country belongs to all of us. This country is the homeland of all of us. As a result, we should join hands with each other and act in solidarity and unity," Gul added.