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In Istanbul, Turkey, there’s a mosque where you can pray alongside cats. We’re not kitten you! The Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque’s imam Mustafa Efe has been letting stray cats in since last year. He wants to keep them warm during the cold winter days.
Efe makes his guests feel exactly like at home. In fact, the felines are so safe and comfy there that one cat even brought her kittens one by one! She placed her fluffballs in the pulpit from where Efe preaches. “The kitty has found the heart of compassion and mercy,” Efe wrote on Facebook.
More info: Facebook (h/t: thedodo)
Image credits: Mustafa Efe
Image credits: İbrahim Düzkalem
Image credits: Navèëd
Image credits: Navèëd
Image credits: Mustafa Efe
Image credits: Mustafa Efe
Image credits: Kuzeyin Huysuz Kızı
Image credits: Mustafa Efe (left), Mohammed Matter (right)
Image credits: Mustafa Efe
Sevimli Misafirlerimiz Ayaklandı…
Posted by Mustafa Efe on Monday, 4 May 2015
Image credits: Mustafa Efe
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What do you think ?
YağmurCenanBoyacı 8 years ago
Sixth photograph isn't from Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Mosque, actually it has taken from Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, which is in Fatih, European Cost. But Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Mosque is in Üsküdar, which is in Anatolian (Asian) Cost. In İstanbul, there are many places which are can be used by the cats like a shelter. Especially the universitys' buildings are the most popular places among the cats. For example Beyazıt Campus of İstanbul University, which is the one I graduated from. There is a mosque too near our university, Beyazıt Mosque. There is a saying in Beyazıt Mosque "Buranın delisi, velisi bir de kedisi meşhurdur." [The most famous (meşhur) things in here (buranın): insane (deli), saint (veli) and cat (kedi).]
JulijaTelevičiūtė (Post author) 8 years ago
Thank you Yağmur Cenan Boyacı! We deleted the misleading photograph. Let us know if you spot anything else.
Load More Replies...
DebanjaleeBandyopadhyay 8 years ago
Show me one like him after those millions of terrorising in the name of religion and he's enough to being our faith back in humanity.
AnoNymous 8 years ago
A human killing, is a criminal, he can use any excuse, even God, it remains a criminal, it is just that, stop talking about religion or faith when it comes to murderer hiding behind a religion, these people have no faith. look at the Japanese, they took two American nuclear bomb, did they become anti-American? not a single second, just because the army does not represent citizens, same thing with governments. The terrorists, it is the same thing, we're not supposed to find hope when we see these pictures, because there is no relationship between the murderers and the people with the Muslim faith.
Load More Replies...
AnneMcDade 8 years ago
Absolutely amazing, thank you for being such an open hearted human being to these fur babies~ <3
HilaryTreece 8 years ago
The cats know it's a sacred space. They probably enjoy the energy and prayers. When I meditate my cats gather. I am thankful for there kindness.
aslı a 8 years ago
you are right, even if its empty mosques has that quite, neutral energy just like other religious places. Many mosques and churches has cats in istanbul, and they love to be inside.
Load More Replies...
DeanDaniel 8 years ago
This made me cry :( i wish i could help these kittens like this. what a beautiful person. I know people are like this. i love seeing it
Thomas Victorien 8 years ago
It's great to see people taking care of animals , even more so when it is Muslim people. This shows that they are normal people and not blood-lusting terrorists. I'm gonna show these pictures to some of my friends
DeborahFreese 8 years ago
That is lovely. My little stray that we've had for 9 years is snuggled next to me in bed right now.
DorothyShea 8 years ago
Mustafa Efe, may our Creator bless you for your kindness to His lesser creatures. The ones who need our help in being safe and well in a difficult world. You have a beautiful House of Worship. I am Christian, and love all animals. Thank you for sharing these delightful pictures.
DianaHockley 8 years ago
I think that's wonderful! :) I'm sure they have litter trays around the place.
LittleHedgehog 8 years ago
Aww, that's so great. Although I think it's a great and amazing idea, will people who are allergic to cats still be able to worship there?
UmutKazdal 8 years ago
Allergies to animals (especially cats and dogs) are pretty rare in Turkey so that will almost never be a problem.
Load More Replies...
Purnima Chandra 8 years ago
i was looking for some hope on the planet and reached here...this is true Islam...respect
Laura Lynn 8 years ago
This is WONDERFUL! There need to be more men like this in this world! May God bless them for carrying for the smallest of God's creatures.
Женя-Меня Парлапеня 8 years ago
this is the best thing ever. religion done right +1000 internets
HerbertNenenger 8 years ago
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi
TommyWardlaw 8 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnElkJpv0Q&feature=youtu.beI&app=desktop
GeorgeValencia 8 years ago
The muslim attitude to neuter, so long as the cat is not feeling pain after the surgery, then it's okay.
Load More Replies...
CessiMitrani 8 years ago
additional video on this issue https://twitter.com/jumuah/status/688013446634455041
ÇağlaTurhan 8 years ago
Ne muhteşem bir haber ve görüntü. Sizin gibi insanlara ihtiyacı var bu güzel ülkenin...
Luyen Dao 8 years ago
You know, i do think this is lovely - the imam seems like a warm person. I personally find it hypocritical (and no fault of this imam) that women aren't allowed in, but cats are.
Jonathan Kang 8 years ago
The last I checked, women are allowed in mosques...
Load More Replies...
VivianeKatz 8 years ago
Tomasz Ender, being this open to our fellow creatures certainly carries the risk of "accidents". Some people associate animals with filth, others with love. Personally, I'd be delighted to visit or attend an open house at that mosque. During my travels, I enjoy staying staying in accommodations that have animals. For those who don't like animals or have allergies, it's fortunately easy to avoid those places.
Load More Replies... YağmurCenanBoyacı 8 years ago
Sixth photograph isn't from Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Mosque, actually it has taken from Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, which is in Fatih, European Cost. But Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Mosque is in Üsküdar, which is in Anatolian (Asian) Cost. In İstanbul, there are many places which are can be used by the cats like a shelter. Especially the universitys' buildings are the most popular places among the cats. For example Beyazıt Campus of İstanbul University, which is the one I graduated from. There is a mosque too near our university, Beyazıt Mosque. There is a saying in Beyazıt Mosque "Buranın delisi, velisi bir de kedisi meşhurdur." [The most famous (meşhur) things in here (buranın): insane (deli), saint (veli) and cat (kedi).]
JulijaTelevičiūtė (Post author) 8 years ago
Thank you Yağmur Cenan Boyacı! We deleted the misleading photograph. Let us know if you spot anything else.
Load More Replies... DebanjaleeBandyopadhyay 8 years ago
Show me one like him after those millions of terrorising in the name of religion and he's enough to being our faith back in humanity.
AnoNymous 8 years ago
A human killing, is a criminal, he can use any excuse, even God, it remains a criminal, it is just that, stop talking about religion or faith when it comes to murderer hiding behind a religion, these people have no faith. look at the Japanese, they took two American nuclear bomb, did they become anti-American? not a single second, just because the army does not represent citizens, same thing with governments. The terrorists, it is the same thing, we're not supposed to find hope when we see these pictures, because there is no relationship between the murderers and the people with the Muslim faith.
Load More Replies... AnneMcDade 8 years ago
Absolutely amazing, thank you for being such an open hearted human being to these fur babies~ <3
HilaryTreece 8 years ago
The cats know it's a sacred space. They probably enjoy the energy and prayers. When I meditate my cats gather. I am thankful for there kindness.
aslı a 8 years ago
you are right, even if its empty mosques has that quite, neutral energy just like other religious places. Many mosques and churches has cats in istanbul, and they love to be inside.
Load More Replies... DeanDaniel 8 years ago
This made me cry :( i wish i could help these kittens like this. what a beautiful person. I know people are like this. i love seeing it
Thomas Victorien 8 years ago
It's great to see people taking care of animals , even more so when it is Muslim people. This shows that they are normal people and not blood-lusting terrorists. I'm gonna show these pictures to some of my friends
DeborahFreese 8 years ago
That is lovely. My little stray that we've had for 9 years is snuggled next to me in bed right now.
DorothyShea 8 years ago
Mustafa Efe, may our Creator bless you for your kindness to His lesser creatures. The ones who need our help in being safe and well in a difficult world. You have a beautiful House of Worship. I am Christian, and love all animals. Thank you for sharing these delightful pictures.
DianaHockley 8 years ago
I think that's wonderful! :) I'm sure they have litter trays around the place.
LittleHedgehog 8 years ago
Aww, that's so great. Although I think it's a great and amazing idea, will people who are allergic to cats still be able to worship there?
UmutKazdal 8 years ago
Allergies to animals (especially cats and dogs) are pretty rare in Turkey so that will almost never be a problem.
Load More Replies... Purnima Chandra 8 years ago
i was looking for some hope on the planet and reached here...this is true Islam...respect
Laura Lynn 8 years ago
This is WONDERFUL! There need to be more men like this in this world! May God bless them for carrying for the smallest of God's creatures.
Женя-Меня Парлапеня 8 years ago
this is the best thing ever. religion done right +1000 internets
HerbertNenenger 8 years ago
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi
TommyWardlaw 8 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnElkJpv0Q&feature=youtu.beI&app=desktop
GeorgeValencia 8 years ago
The muslim attitude to neuter, so long as the cat is not feeling pain after the surgery, then it's okay.
Load More Replies... CessiMitrani 8 years ago
additional video on this issue https://twitter.com/jumuah/status/688013446634455041
ÇağlaTurhan 8 years ago
Ne muhteşem bir haber ve görüntü. Sizin gibi insanlara ihtiyacı var bu güzel ülkenin...
Luyen Dao 8 years ago
You know, i do think this is lovely - the imam seems like a warm person. I personally find it hypocritical (and no fault of this imam) that women aren't allowed in, but cats are.
Jonathan Kang 8 years ago
The last I checked, women are allowed in mosques...
Load More Replies... VivianeKatz 8 years ago
Tomasz Ender, being this open to our fellow creatures certainly carries the risk of "accidents". Some people associate animals with filth, others with love. Personally, I'd be delighted to visit or attend an open house at that mosque. During my travels, I enjoy staying staying in accommodations that have animals. For those who don't like animals or have allergies, it's fortunately easy to avoid those places.
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