Algerian imam Walid Mehsas
Algeria
The video achieved more than one billion six hundred views within 48 hours on social media
The video clip of the Algerian imam and the cat that climbed his shoulder during the Tarawih prayer spread like wildfire, achieving more than one billion and six hundred views within 48 hours on social media, and it was admired by many, as praising comments rained down from all over the world and even from different religions, as the video transmitted. Also, Western media, as it was republished by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the American CNN, and others.
As a result, the Algerian Ministry of Religious Affairs honored Imam Walid Mahassas, who showed mercy in dealing with a cat that climbed on his shoulder during prayer.
The Algerian Muslim Scholars Association said that the scene of the cat invaded the channels and inflamed sites globally.
And a video clip had spread widely of the Algerian imam, the moment the cat climbed on his shoulder, and his focus during prayer, so he was not alienated from it or resented, but rather treated it gently and tenderly.
Activists of all intellectual levels and religious orientations celebrated the great resonance achieved by the spontaneous clip, stressing that it contained a deep message.
With a simple, spontaneous movement, the clip flew from the land of Algeria, between the pages of Chechnya in the east, to the American positions in the west, according to the famous Egyptian activist Abdullah Al-Sharif.
The Egyptian activist added: “Sheikh Al-Tayyib spoiled texts written, commissioned stars, exhausted rehearsals, and millions spent with free photography, free advertising, and a cat.”
From honoring Imam Walid Mahsas
At a time when some voices were raised saying that the video was normal and had nothing impressive, others emphasized that the imam’s behavior was a reflection of religion and belief.
Western media also circulated a video of the Algerian imam, Walid Mahsas, with the cat. The comments of non-Muslims were beautiful and humane, reflecting the true picture of the tolerance of the Islamic religion, as some put it.
Among those comments: “I don’t know what he’s saying but he’s so beautiful. Oh God, this sound took away all my anxiety, what a joyful moment.” Another said, “I feel comfortable listening to that prayer.” Another wrote, “A Christian, but I admire Islam so much.” Another activist wrote, “I am Catholic, but I admire Islam.” .
And a cat infiltrated a mosque in Algeria on Tuesday evening, and went directly to where his sheikh was leading the performers behind him in Tarawih prayers, according to what we see in a video that quickly spread on the communication sites.
The Imam dealt kindly, and in a way that is better with the cat that we see trying to caress him for a moment, at a time when he was reciting verses from the Holy Quran, then she climbed onto his shoulder, approached his mouth with her mouth, and then left him at a moment almost a second before he bowed.
Sheikh Walid Mahassas was born in Algeria, and he is the imam of the Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the 12-hectare neighborhood in the state of Bordj Bou Arreridj, in eastern Algeria.
He was classified as one of the most beautiful voices for reciting the Noble Qur’an, and he also continues to hold Quranic evenings to memorize and recite the Qur’an within the “Baraem Al-Biban” competition.
He presents Friday prayer sermons, as well as special lessons explaining and interpreting the Islamic religion and legal sciences, including what is also related to the righteousness of parents.
