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But
with the decision to turn the museum into a mosque, Turks have
been wondering whether Gli will have to move out -- with the
question cropping up daily on local news outlets and social
media.
The grey cat with shining green, crossed eyes, has become a
favourite with visitors, including former U.S. President Barack
Obama, who was filmed stroking her during a trip in 2009.
Authorities have made clear Hagia Sophia can remain as her home.
Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan, told
Reuters that Gli, as well as all other cats in the area, would
stay where they were.
"That cat has become very famous, and there are others who
haven't become that famous yet. That cat will be there, and all
cats are welcome to our mosques," he said.
That's bound to be welcome news to Umut Bahceci, a tour guide
who started an Instagram account for Gli four years ago and now
has more than 48,000 followers. The account is filled with
photos of the cat, some tagged by the tourists who meet her.
"I started noticing Gli every time I went (to Hagia Sophia)
because Gli was posing for people like a model," she told
Reuters. "I get messages such as, 'Gli, we will come to Istanbul
to see you.' This is truly a very nice feeling,"
Hagia Sophia was a Christian Byzantine cathedral for 900 years
before it was seized by Ottoman conquerors and served as a
mosque until 1934.
A court ruled this month that the building's conversion to a
museum then was unlawful. Erdogan immediately declared the
building a mosque once more, with the first prayers to be held
this Friday.
(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Bulent Usta; Editing by Alison
Williams)
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