Why So Many Cats? Istanbul, The City of Cats

THE CITY OF CATS
When you think of Istanbul, cats are not likely to be the first thing that comes to mind.
This ancient city is famous for so much, but it’s cats??
I remember years ago, my brother Jim told me he loved this place because all of the cats he saw here...
But where did they all come from?
Perhaps the one thing that shaped this city, more than any other influence was Islam…

[@bbeela3257]

You have created a very interesting and culturally respectful view on Istanbul, cats and Islam. Thank you

[@forgottenworld]

Thank you. I found some amazing beauty in the presence of Islam in this city, in the respect for elders and animals. The culture has an aspect of respect and kindness I do not see in many other places. :)

[@bbeela3257]

​@@forgottenworld I totally agree

[@Samirustem]

It have nothing to do with islam. If it was, all muslims would have cats cuties. All cultures choose and adapt religion. All those stories are made up about islam becuae people wanted them to be part of islam.

[@melihsav1907]

We Turkish people love cats and dogs. All animals are valuable in Turkish culture.

[@AsijaStipcevic]

❤

[@spark_6710]

I really admire that of Turkish people !! I REALLY wish if it were the same everywhere in the world !!! 🌎 👍👍👍😍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇹🇷🐈‍⬛🐈💕💞

[@MM-yi9zn]

What a fantastic city. If you love Cats then we love You!

[@G-KHANX]

We adore cats

[@Patrikor]

it was beatiful but now it's too crowded and too many refugees.

[@carbonoksit4086]

09:26 She puts food in front of the dog, the dog only looks at the food 🙃 I really love Turkey and its people 🙂

[@JakeStar-oe9ev]

I wish America was like that with cats. Cat's are so beautiful loving and loyal. I have two cats that live in a motorhome with and I love them sooooo much! ❤ I like how Islam respects cats.

[@retiredofficer5773]

My dear brother, Islam says to love not only cats and dogs, but also the creation, because of the Creator. Islam means peace. Our Prophet Muhammad said exactly 1400 years ago that cats' mouths are clean and there are no bacteria, and this fact is something that science has just discovered. Islam respects the right of all living beings to live, and anyone who does not believe in all the prophets from Adam to Prophet Muhammad cannot be a Muslim. Prophet Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Quran and we know Mary as our mother. Stay at peace with love and prayer.

[@JakeStar-oe9ev]

@@retiredofficer5773 Thankyou. I am having a very hard time, one of my cats passed away (she was 19) and I've been crying all night. I've cried so hard my head hurts now. Thankyou brother and your kind words help. 🙏🏼 God bless 🙏🏼

[@spark_6710]

​@@retiredofficer5773That's a beautiful religion ! I love Turkish people !! I wish it were the same everywhere we go in this world !!! 🌎 😍👍👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇹🇷🐈‍⬛🐈💕💞

[@spark_6710]

​@JakeStar-oe9ev I am very very sorry to know !! But,hey,19 !! That proves you gave your beloved cat a real good care & life !!! WOW !! I am sending you lots of virtual hugs from L.A. I am Japanese who's been living in the States for almost 4 decades !! 💔💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🐈‍⬛🐈💕💞

[@Samirustem]

It have nothing to do with islam. If it was bec of islam, all muslims would have cats cuties. All cultures choose and adapt religion. All those stories are made up about islam becuae people wanted them to be part of islam

[@wikoli-kuloloniele-kapalam2779]

I need to visit Istanbul soon, its on my bucket list! Love me some 🐈 😻 🐈‍⬛️ 🐱 🐈

[@farzanahamid6107]

Cats are simply adorable as animal and as pets.

[@ProjectGaiaTravel]

very cool thanks for the tour!

[@Kendimtv]

Thank you for making this video, love from🇹🇷

[@forgottenworld]

:)

[@KenanTurkiye]

Heres something you may find interesting. :) The name of my country has nothing to do with the interesting and delicious bird ''turkey''. Name of my country has always been Turkiye, that is Turk-iye, where the -iye suffix means ''land of/belonging to''... ...just like the Latin suffix -ia in such countries as Latv-ia, Roman-ia, Eston-ia, Austr-ia, Austral-ia etc etc. Another example; decades ago Czechoslovakia Republic changed it's name to Czech Republic and a few years ago changed that to Czechia (that is Czech-ia). Anyways, most likely the Latin -ia suffix was derived from the Turkish version -iye, as Turkish is much much older. Because in old times people of different languages could only pronounce it as their languages allowed them, we got various differences in spelling like Turchia (in Italian), Turquie (in French) and Turkey (in English) all trying to resemble the pronounciation of ''Turk-ia'' thus Turkiye. Mind you this was way BEFORE the animal we currently know as 'turkey'' was found by the europeans when they explored the north americas.... ...they came across the bird and thought it was a specie of the fowl/chicken they had been buying from the country of Turkiye at the time, so they named the bird ''Turkey Fowl'' meaning ''Turkish Chicken''..... ....just like how a dog breed is known as German Shepherd (because it's from Germany), Rhodesian Ridgeback (because it's from Rhodesia), American Bulldog, British Terrier, Greek Harehound etc etc. In time you don't get to call the Greek Harehound as simply as ''Greek''; or you don't call the British Terrier as ''British''; or the German Shepherd as ''German'', but in time the Turkish Fowl started to be called just ''turkey'', and has been going on for hundreds of years. Now in 2023, this is causing confusion, especially when we have people across the world unable to point to their OWN country on the atlas, this ''confusion over the naming'' needed to be corrected. So my country decided to rectify this confusion that has been going on for so long and corrected the name in other languages to Türkiye, which it always was, we basically didn't change the name of our country, we changed the mistake made in the English language. : ) So, there's some tid bit information for you to have a great day, if you read upto this point you have a great night too, ohh just have a wonderfull life. : ) Best wishes. ;)

[@KenanTurkiye]

I ❤ 🚂🚃🚄🚅🚈🚞🚝 I have a folder on ''transportation'' thank you chou chou chouuuu :))

[@valerietaylor9615]

I read somewhere that the English called the bird “turkey” because they thought it came from Turkey. But the French call it “dindon” because they thought it came from India. 🦃

[@suzanaakic5600]

I love animals, I love cats.❤❤❤❤❤

[@Rawrioreo]

Wonderful documentary Sir!! Hope that I could come and visit Turkiye one fine day with my families, InsyaAllah :)

[@suzanaakic5600]

I love ISTAMBUL❤❤❤

[@esatyildirim202]

Great video!

[@LaughAlotThebolt]

Very nice video. I really enjoyed watching it. Thank you

[@emanjewels7588]

Awesom Great

[@suzanaakic5600]

And they have beautiful cats.

[@tariqlatif1505]

You have created an interesting cultural view of instanbul i agree thanks..

[@forgottenworld]

Thank you for the feedback! I had a wonderful time visiting there. :)

[@StrayCatsWorld]

Very interesting👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 thanks🌹

[@user-qd1iw1pw2f]

Beautiful video

[@suzanaakic5600]

They're smart, they're protecting animal nature

[@cembarhana750]

they are the reason you cannot see exotic birds lizards and insects and why there are no squirrells in istanbul. They don't protect nature they destroy it along with us. I love cats btw.

[@halbmond3506]

CATSTANBUL !!!

[@wrxTO]

Great video. Loved the view from apartment by the way. Was this an Airbnb? Around Besiktas region?

[@forgottenworld]

Yes, the Airbnb apartment was right near the tower. It was about a block away and amazing location, but keep in mind at 10 flights of stairs to get up.

[@valerietaylor9615]

I hope I can go to Istanbul someday to see all these cute cats ( also Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, etc.) 🇹🇷🐈🐈‍⬛

[@20PINKluvr]

Same. Ever since watching magnificent century

[@sinemis1989]

The fact that Istanbul is the capital of cats has nothing to do with Islam, but with the conscientious and tolerant culture of the Turks. If it were related to Islam, we would see the same love for animals in Arab countries, but they do not have such love for cats or dogs. The most well-known feature of Turkish people is their compassion. That's why all animals feel safe and happy around us.

[@VanTran-ne4yf]

There are lot of dishonest people in Turkey, if you go to the high end restaurant, you give money to the waiter and they serve you better. that is not right values and bad culture

[@sinemis1989]

@@VanTran-ne4yf Dishonesty does not belong to a single nation, race or religion. There are such disgusting people in every country. Such restaurants are already exposed in our country and citizens cancel them. We do not like them either. Also, tipping culture is a culture that comes from western capitalism and I think it should be completely abolished.

[@VanTran-ne4yf]

@@sinemis1989 Tip come from the US it very bad. Australian tourist and even Asian people struggling to accept that too . Given tip is a choice .In the US, if you dont give tip, you become a Golden roast Turkey on the dinner table on Thanksgiven Day

[@VanTran-ne4yf]

@@sinemis1989 In Vietnam , if the waiter treat the customer badly like Turkey. You can guarantee that within a few months the restaurant will become a new development zone. The customer return home and mobilized his troop and comrades and came back with sledge hammer and sword to demolish the restaurant. Everybody just run for their life. Then they left a note for the owner , next time they a dig a. hole for them so the choice for them to decide. if we see you people around the city then it will be the same . They owner and waiter move to another city or town.

[@jeannedouglas9912]

Interesting

[@sidelyaderin8331]

love İstanbul

[@user-vw2zy5zg5n]

Turkey makes the world smell like a rose.

[@retiredofficer5773]

Please not Turkey. Türkiye

[@marismet1276]

I love it -- part of the culture to love and care for them and to let them be.

[@milagroscabrega7879]

Stray cats in turkey looks healthy.😊

[@RWald8888]

The people of Istanbul are required not only to feed and protect the cats and other animals as well, if veterinary care is needed citizens take them for care. Pretty cool.

[@Samirustem]

Its not just about religion or animals. Turkish culture calls for protecting and helping those who are weak. If you win a fight how you should act. How you should act to a slave or anyone who is at your mercy.

[@tariqlatif1505]

I love this video about cats

[@forgottenworld]

Thank you!

[@tenzinlhakchung]

This is the city where I must belong❤ i am meant to be there and one day i will definitely visit the city 🏙️ and give boop to every cats in the city

[@spark_6710]

Wonderful video !! Thank you ! 👍👍😍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇹🇷🐈‍⬛🐈💕💞

[@mzdufflewis1983]

I could wish I can visit to Istanbul I’m a animals lover in have 23 cats

[@meramilcemilliegitimmudurl4260]

Love from Turkiye

[@sonnysantana5454]

back in the wild Reagan 80's i traveled the world and spent time in Istanbul and the Cat presence wasn't so noticeable to me at the time or maybe i wasn't so Cat focused but i do remember parts of Italy being busy with Cats but again i was younger and busy with the Reagan cold war which had my focus at the time of my youth

[@robedechamber]

Here is a historic fact about them; there was a Great Bubonic Plaque pandemic throughout whole Europe killed millions literally. The least effect per person in all Europe was on Istanbul, which was the "New York" of those times, because Istanbul was strongest Empire's capital of the era, having the most population etc. And at that era Cats in masses were still in Istanbul well cared. They helped greatly against those rats who transmits the Bubonic Plaque.

[@forgottenworld]

Very cool! Wish I had known that before!

[@nurdantaner233]

Canim kedilerim ,canim vatanim ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Laaracansever]

It is a great video. Thank you for that. There is one thing that I must point out. Yes, cats are praised in Islam. But that woman (in the hadith) who is forgiven for her sins actually has given water to a dog.

[@forgottenworld]

I think there are two versions of the story perhaps. I saw them both when researching.

[@Laaracansever]

@@forgottenworld I believe that dog version is correct because giving water to a cat is so normal in Islam. On the other hand, dogs are considered as dirty and Islam does not encourage people to show affection for the dogs (unfortunately). So, even giving water to a dog can be the one’s salvation. This makes the dog version more valid not only in my opinion but also in most scholars’ opinions. Anyway, it does not change the main idea behind the story though. But please keep in mind that Turkish people’s compassion for the cats is not directly related to Islam. In many Muslim countries, cats are not cared by the society in that way. Turks also have compassion towards to the stray dogs even if Quran does not favor the dogs. This attitude is probably a heritage of old Turkish Shamanic culture which significantly respects for nature and its creations.

[@jelsjourney]

Lord please bless turkey especially istanbul

[@TEpScin]

What tune was playing at the cafe?

[@forgottenworld]

Unfortunately I do not know.

[@marinadalmaob-964]

❤❤❤

[@milagroscabrega7879]

I love cats❤❤❤

[@BozTurk88]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@forgottenworld]

Thank you!

[@spark_6710]

Turkish people & Russians love ,love cats !! 🐈 👍👍😍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇹🇷🐈‍⬛💕💞

[@G-KHANX]

President erdogan recently built and opened a beautiful Church also in Istanbul I think .

[@maverickfg1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l37YkquXnL6Emposi=u93TCBv6VxRCtKWW

[@forgottenworld]

Yes, I visited it. Amazing!

[@G-KHANX]

@@forgottenworld Realy? Nice, lucky you

[@glynesgarzillo1268]

I love cat people. They are my people. They know cats and value nature's beauty. Thank you wonderful feline people.

[@giovannimarra4168]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹

[@snpgaming1]

😊

[@kaisersoze5155]

It was a nice video, but you emphasized Islam too much and it is impossible to understand it. You can see cats, dogs and birds in large numbers all over Türkiye, but the reason for this is not Islam. The reason for this is Turkish culture. If the reason was Islam, there would be similar scenes in all other Islamic countries. However, when you look at the internet, we are the only country where animals are well cared for and in large numbers.

[@rosetime68]

Nope, he stated facts of course we turkish people also naturally care about animals but still he told the truth.

[@escobar441n]

common mix of both.

[@forgottenworld]

From what I was able to understand that the preferences for being kind to cats have its roots in Islam, that of course led to culture. But I’m sure it can be said that other cities have a similar kindness towards their animals.

[@kaisersoze5155]

@@rosetime68 Nope you are wrong

[@ormancbas2652]

no, our love to all animals are coz of Islam. it is islamic tradition to feed cats even at homes, islam orders it. but if u mean other people even secular respect animals too, but they have too islamic side too maybe they dont agree it. people are familiar along years even they are religious muslim or not even tourists too in in turkey :)

[@Adzes]

Cats saved them from the plague

[@gulchen2491]

Vebadan öncede kediler vardı. Daha çok onlar var diye hiç veba gelmedi😉

[@glynesgarzillo1268]

Obviously turkey is a most spiritual country. Wish there were more countries that love and respect cats as this one does. Reminds me of ancient Egypt. People need to learn about cats and get over their stuperstitions.

[@user-jh8gz1lo4e]

The strange thing is that centuries ago European travelers who visited Turkic lands considered it primitive and barbaric for the Turks to feed and protect animals, and they mocked it in their journals, and I am glad that today at least some of the Europeans understand us barbarians.

[@forgottenworld]

I think the term Barbarian means outsider...

[@Hamneli]

👋

[@aries2584]

why so many cats? because people of Istanbul love's cat it means they are loving people.

[@simsgazytech2013]

in Java culture ( Indonesia) , it was believed that ( especially black) cats could defend you from witchcraft.

[@user-ev3bn7rd1f]

kedilerin oy hakkı olmalı

[@nextbanker9538]

😂❤❤

[@sssssulti]

"Love the created because of the creator" this is Turks motto. I love them cause God created them.

[@openyoureyeslookuptotheski8481]

Domuzu da seviyor musun? Yılanı? Akrebi??

[@sssssulti]

@@openyoureyeslookuptotheski8481 evet neden sevmeyelim ki. Domuz var olacakki kurtlar doysun, yılan var olacakki fareler çoğalmasın, akrep var olacakki küçük böcekler çoğalmasın kuşların karnı doysun. Akrepten korkarım, domuz eti yemem yılandan korkarım. Onlar kendi doğasında yaşıyor biz bizimkinde Allah hepsini bir güzellikle yaratmış.

[@bingdong8571]

Ooooo kitties.

[@gunay616]

Ne güzel görüntüler değil mi ? Ben Ankara'da yaşıyorum. Burada da kediler var ama bazı işletmeler kedileri alıp öldürüyor. ''Simit Sarayı'' Ankara Yüksel caddesinde çok kedi var diye kedileri toplayıp ölüme yollamış. Simit sarayı ismi artık benim için kedi düşmanlığı ile aynı anlamda. Ne yazıkki vicdanlı ve iyi insanlar çok azaldı. Hükümetimiz bile sokakta köpek istemiyoruz diyor. Buna gerçekten çok üzülüyorum. Ben sokakta yaşayan tüm canlıların yaşamlarının kutsal olduğuna inanıyorum.

[@Tianjin99]

Yaklaşımınızı takdir ediyorum ,Bu tür olayları ilgili mercilere yazsanız , Ülkemiz ve Ankaranın dünya vatandaşları gözünde değeri erezyona uğramasa

[@omerrfaruk517]

​@@Tianjin99maalesef sokak hayvanlarına sevgi azalıyor

[@omuraterd]

Not only İstanbul. All of Turkiye

[@user-mp8sk9tf3u]

Thanks your istnbul turkye,, take animal lovely cats & dog don't killed animal ..

[@StrayCatsWorld]

😎😎😎 istanbul cats😻😻😻

[@r.s.2861]

Untertitel in Deutsch...please..

[@Geeeuuu]

I am Turkish. You are unfortunately incredibly wrong in assuming that religion is the reason there are cats in Istanbul. There are muslim countries that treat cats dogs terribly; it is not about religion. It is because of our Turkish culture. I advise you not to make misleading videos about my country. For some reason western people like diminishing whole cultures into a single religion.

[@EdgarMainBS]

But whatever he said is true as islam tell us to love and treat Animals specially cats well ...

[@EdgarMainBS]

And if u r a muslim then it is so shocking to see y getting angry when he gave credit to islam ...!! Yr reaction is Really shocking

[@drg598]

Yes mohd. h a t e d dogs

[@drg598]

​@@EdgarMainBSanother paxtani😂😂

[@Geeuu]

​@@EdgarMainBSI don't care whatever he said might be true in Islam. It is not true for Turkey.

[@VanTran-ne4yf]

"It doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." Deng Xiaoping, the architecture of modern Shengyeng, the richest city in Asia 25 million people build from zero within 30 years.

[@ATLM]

Have you ever seen any mouse?

[@tebessum14]

All cities in Türkiye are cat cities.It's not only Istanbul.

[@E-G-O-l-S-T]

Why not? More Cats, no Rats 🤷‍♂️

[@tapsahtip]

I bet the birds are not too pleased with them . . .

[@Fido-vm9zi]

Nor mice or rats

[@kabucee]

Cats are adorable and I don't think our love for cats is related with Islam. Just look at any cats face, why wouldn't we like them ❤

[@thakiusmuckfeather1103]

Yet. The USA has the most cats

[@keremhas1289]

KİRLİ İSMİNDE KAVGACI KEDİYİ DAHA TANIMADINIZ😅

[@marismet1276]

Istanbul is very European and Asian combined --

[@marismet1276]

I heard Japan is #1 -- reveres its CATS.

[@che1903]

Istanbul almost 20 million people. But u cant see any rats. Never anywhere. Thats becouse of cats. People just prefer cats than rats. Simple is that.

[@forgottenworld]

Love it!

[@a.dinillah5562]

The cats are well feed.. theyre all fatties, makes me so happy hhahahaha 😅😊

[@elizabethmaric5029]

Fix them!!!!

[@nodical802]

It seems like people have the most varying opinions about cats, more than any other animal. People have and love pet cats all over the world, Istanbul and ancient Egypt famously loves them, but if you live in Australia they’re basically just cockroaches

[@spark_6710]

That nonsense of black cats thing should diminish !! Black cats are very loyal ,friendly & very smart & loving !! Here in the U.S.,unfortunately black cats are the most euthanized at shelters & the 2nd is orange cats !! This is really unbelievable/ heartbreaking as they're the best !!! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🐈‍⬛🐈🇹🇷💕💞

[@20PINKluvr]

I bet istanbul never had a problem with plague like it's european neighbors did thanks to the cats 😂

[@pattishea2289]

they eat them in china😢

[@fazimotasin8277]

Vietnamese likes to eat cat meat not china😢

[@syedfaraz5]

So what afterall they are just a animal like cow chicken pig etc

[@tbex613]

Please stop equating Turkey's love for cats with Islam- it's pretty insulting to Turks, especially those who are not Muslim. I see you haven't traveled to Islamic theocracies, where there are just as many street cats, but they are NOT well taken care and suffer tremendously. This system for cats in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey is uniquely TURKISH. In fact, you will see Arab tourists NOT care for the cats- I've seen Arab tourist literally LEAVE restaurants because a cat was sitting a table or roaming around the tables. The Turks will just pet them and feed them.

[@aytenakaln4216]

Animal loves for turk comes from our shaman culture Shaman roots. It has nothing to do with Islam., stop always giving example this has interest with Islam. Look at other countries. Can you see anything like that if you do program if you want to tell something show something please search first carefully, and be honest. You can see only this love from Turks although the situation is like that still we are fighting with the bad people they don’t like them a lot.

[@forgottenworld]

valid observation

[@sportsgamesfanatic6708]

❤❤❤