Many of us have witnessed the countless undisturbed and carefree cats living in Istanbul.
Why do cats enjoy such reverence and respect?
Several hundred thousand cats roam the streets of Turkey’s largest city, and each one seems as well cared for as the people who live there.
Istanbul has a long history of caring for its cats, dating back to the city’s beginnings in the Ottoman Empire, the Telegraph reports.
It is an unspoken rule for the citizens of Istanbul that they provide the stray cats with the bare necessities of life – food, shelter and water. Community gardens and parks have food and water bowls for cats, and homeowners build shelters for strays so they always have a safe, warm place to stay. Many residents of Istanbul feel it is their duty to take care of these animals that inhabit the places where they live and work. Cats sit on top of cars, nap on rooftops and hang out at local restaurants.
The new Turkish Humane Law defines animals as living beings and not as goods, as was the case in the previous legislation. Previously, cases of cruelty to animals were punished with small fines, as the offense was compared to the destruction of property. Now people who kill, mistreat or torture animals will be jailed for between six months and four years.
Cats are considered a typical pet by Muslims and are revered for their ritual purity, which allows them to enter homes and mosques.
The black and white Abyssinian cat is believed to be Muhammad’s favorite cat. According to legend, one day, while he was preparing to think the prayer, the prophet found the cat dozing on the sleeve of his prayer garment. But instead of disturbing her sleep, he cut off his sleeve so as not to disturb her.
We could learn from Turkey how to treat stray cats and dogs with as much reverence and love as the people of Istanbul treat their own.
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