Imam Stray cats in Uskudar

Stray cats in Istanbul have never came to pass. One may even call it a national past-time. Walking through the streets of Kadikoy and Uskudar – two towns that share borders – small kittens run towards, unlike the traditional stereotype of cats (scaredy cat), a meow for food or drink – or even just a few seconds of petting is in their daily routine.

The nice locals, especially in Kadikoy, Acibadem, always have food and water readily available for cats who often visit the apartment doorsteps. The lack of government funding for council, municipal help for stray cats often ignites a reliance on public cooperation to keep the stray cats fed and petted.

An imam in the district of Uskudar has done just that: Mustafa Efe of the Aziz Muhmud Hudayi Mosque is visited often by stray cats, often during Friday prayers.

He calls them his ‘Friday friends’ – recently tweeted for worshippers to come on time to ‘reserve a space’ as the meowers took over some space in the the mosque.

The Imam has said they are welcome seven days a week during the winter.