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BAIstanbul is known as the “City of Cats” and sometimes referred to as “Catstanbul.” Hundreds of thousands of cats have roamed the metropolis for millenniums.
The city of Istanbul is chock full of cats, with some estimates putting the number of stray felines at 125,000. The citizens of Istanbul do not see this as a problem; they welcome their feline friends with open arms.
Istanbul has a long history of caring for cats, which goes all the way back to the origins of the city and is firmly rooted in their culture, Islamic beliefs and sense of practicality.
In Islam, cats are considered ritually clean animals and the only animal to be permitted to enter the Great Mosque of Mecca. There are many stories in the history books referencing the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) love of cats.
The rise of cats in Istanbul dates back to the people who settled in the city, the Ottomans. As a result of their long history with cats, felines have become an essential part of Turkish culture and the city of Istanbul.
The Ottomans established foundations for street animals. People called “mancacı” worked on behalf of these foundations and one of their responsibilities was to feed stray animals.
Cats have an important place in Istanbul’s culture. The citizens of Istanbul have created practices that allow cats to flourish. And some breeds of cats have even become synonymous with the country of Türkiye.
Beautiful video from @jazziesillona
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