Meet the Hagia Sophia's cat, who still has a job
Turkey’s most famous cat
lives in the ancient Hagia Sophia
Location: Istanbul
Courtesy: Umut Bahceci
Gli has thousands of Instagram followers
and has even met a former U.S. president
Date: 07 April 2009
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TOUR GUIDE, UMUT BAHCECI, SAYING:
"It's not just tourists. I get messages saying, 'Gli, we will come to Istanbul to see you.' This is truly a very nice feeling."
Now with the decision to convert Hagia Sophia
from a museum back into a mosque
many worry about what will happen to Gli
But authorities have promised Hagia Sophia will remain her home
(SOUNDBITE) (English) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING:
"That cat has become very famous, and there are others who haven't become that famous yet but I am sure they are around, but that cat will be there, and all cats are welcome to our mosques. They are places of safety and rest for many of them."