Of the hundreds of stray cats roaming the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, several of the homeless pets have found refuges from the winter cold and a home in a mosque thanks to a kind Imam.
Imam Mustafa Efe began welcoming stray cats indoors as his “guests” so they could keep warm during the cold winter months.
One female cat even decided that the Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque in the historical district of Üsküdar would be a safe place to raise her young.
In the videos below, the mother brings her kittens into the mosque and finds a cozy place in the pulpit.
“There is no power greater than mercy…” says Imam Efe. He’s shared several pictures with his “guests” on Facebook.
The cats seem perfectly at home in the halls of the mosque and amongst those visiting and praying.
@hafizmustafaefe pic.twitter.com/1qEiMrZFgx
— İbrahim Düzkalem (@ibrahimduzkalem) January 3, 2016
Imam Efe’s kindness to his feline friends has earned him praise from animal lovers around the world.
Here are just a few images of the guest cats that currently reside in the mosque.
Tüm dostlarımıza Hüdayi Hz.’nin sofrasından hayırlı, bereketli, güzel bir Cuma dileriz 🙂 @hafizmustafaefe pic.twitter.com/bccSOtASTj
— Serdar Çelebi (@serdarcel) January 8, 2016
This story reminds me a little of the Greek cafe whose opened its doors at night for stray dogs to stay warm.
What a kind gesture for the animals with no home.
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