Istanbul, Turkey, is well known for its large stray cat population as they roam freely in the city’s streets. Turkey’s winters can get very cold and often times too cold for the little fur baby kitties. Imam Mustafa Efe may be known for leading prayers in his Istanbul-based mosque, but there’s something else the world’s now learning about him: he’s a devoted animal lover.
Imam Efe opened his mosque’s doors to the many stray cats and kittens that roam Istanbul’s streets. He hopes the feline “guests” (as he calls them) can find warmth and safety in his mosque.
Many strays even choose to sit in on Imam Efe’s sermons, possibly as a sign of respect for the man who’s given them a home. 
