Discover The Mosque That Offers A Home For Stray Cats
One of the things that most attracts the attention of tourists visiting Turkey, in addition to its mosques, its bridges and its historical monuments, is the enormous quality of cats walking through the streets. In this article, we will tell you about the big problem of the Turkish cats. We will also comment on the story of a mosque that gives a home to abandoned cats.
Millions of cats live in Turkey
An official census has not yet been carried out, but without fear of being wrong, we could say that in Istanbul alone (the most important city in Turkey)… millions of cats live! Most of them are homeless and look for any corner to sleep and hide. Always looking for food or affection from locals and tourists. Many of them choose ancient places to take refuge or seek shelter from the cold or rain.
Neighbors are used to seeing cats abandoned in the streets and buildings. This animal is a favorite of the Turks and a symbol in Ottoman culture. According to historians, the sultans worshiped them and held them as princes in the gardens of their palaces.
In turn, Islam (majority religion in the country) is a belief that expresses esteem for cats. Consider them a pure animal. However, they are still a problem for residents. They are the ones who feed and care for them anonymously, as far as possible.
They leave food and fresh water for them at the doors of their homes, as well as boxes, pillows and blankets so they can sleep comfortably and warmly. Even the government of Istanbul joined the residents’ initiative and ordered the construction of wooden houses in various parts of the city.
Shopkeepers and hoteliers feed abandoned or stray cats. Very often they adopt one or two. However, the vast majority of them continue to live outdoors and do not renounce this “freedom” so characteristic.
Where is the mosque that provides a home for stray cats?
As it couldn’t be different, it’s in… Istanbul! The imam of the mosque, Mustafa Efe, decided to give them shelter during the winter months (which are usually quite cold and snowy). This man, in charge of conducting the collective prayers in the temple, opened the doors for the abandoned cats to sleep on soft rugs and other facilities.
According to local newspapers, Efe is known for his diligence, his good humor and, above all, his love for cats. For this reason, since last winter, it has allowed the stray cats to feel “at home” in the Aziz Mahmud Hudayi Mosque, located in the city of Istanbul.
The animals feel so at ease and safe there that a cat even took her cubs, one by one, to a very important corner of the temple. He placed them near the pulpit used by the imam to deliver his sermons and conduct the five daily prayers. In his words, “the cat has found the heart of compassion and mercy.”
Mustafa Efe’s great work was published on social networks. His initiative was respected and celebrated by the faithful who go to the mosque every day. They also take food, affection and provide them with thousands of pampering and games. At each step, the Imam stops to greet or caress his four-legged friends who thank you in their own way for the beautiful gesture he has with them.
Images source: blogs.hogarmania.com
