Why Do We Love Animals So Much As Turks?

which we have tamed over the centuries and are now completely need us We are the only way for stray animals to live their lives well. When we look at our streets, we can see that there are many sensitive people among both the tradesmen and the people living in that area.

Türkiye; It may be a country with very different people in terms of national identity, religion, secularism and ethnicity, but it is a country that unites everyone. a common love There are: animals. Well, what is the source of this situation, which often surprises a tourist who comes to Turkey? As Turks, why do we love animals so much?

While it is nice that we, as citizens, try to take care of the millions of animals on the streets, this is actually an indication that we neglect animals in law and municipal administration.

First of all, it should be mentioned that the reason why there are so many stray animals in Turkey is not well-intentioned. This is because in developed countries a planned sterilization policy the absence and uncontrolled production of breed animals. Our cute street friends, who appear on the news, on social media or on the streets, do not actually live a good life everywhere.

In places we have not seen or come across, a very large part of stray animals die of hunger and misery every day. Although we help street life by putting food and kennels on our streets, sterilization; Preventing many diseases, especially cancer, and reducing aggression and unfortunate deaths welfare level the most profitable solution.

When we take a little tour outside, we come across food and water containers for animals.

When we go out and start walking, we come across; food placed on the floor, containers made by cutting 5 liter water bottles, houses made of cardboard boxes and the blankets come off.

Dogs and cats waiting next to the fishermen’s stalls and in front of the butcher’s take their meat and wander around the shops. Even many shops or stores paw mascot there is. Indeed, why are we so open to intimacy with animals?

As Turks, our interest in animals goes back to the Ottoman period.

To understand our fondness for animals, we need to go back hundreds of years, to the Ottoman period between 1299 and 1922. When we look at the buildings of that period, we see what looks like decoration. bird houses coming out. These birdhouses accompanied them between the 15th and 19th centuries.

The Ottomans were known for their affection for animals.

French writer Alphonse De Lamartine, who was close friends with Sultan Abdülmecid, wrote in one of his books: “Turks have a lot of respect for birds and dogs. Even God’s creation to every living thing Let’s say they respect it. They show compassion for poor and lonely animals.”

The Ottomans, under the influence of the religion of Islam, a trust and responsibility left to them he saw as.

They even built a hospital for storks!

At that time, the Ottomans had established various associations for animals. As well as stray cats and dogs even an association for storks there was!

Storks migrating from Africa to Bursa could be injured during migration. For this, a stork hospital was established in Bursa. Storks passing through Turkey during their long migration journeys are here. wrap your wounds they continued their journey.

Thanks to the Islamic religion’s call for compassion and protection for animals, treating animals well was almost a form of worship.

Imam of Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque in Üsküdar, for shelter of stray cats The opening of the mosque’s doors became the agenda on social media. Imam said the following:

“We are responsible for these creatures, they are our non-speaking friends. What we have learned from the God we believe in and the prophet is that nothing but mercy is unthinkable, and therefore, which of these creatures if he needs mercy The doors of our mosques are open to them every day.”

“Cats are considered clean animals in Islam and the Prophet Muhammad told them encouraging kindness It has many legends.”

The love of animals from the Ottoman period to the present day has brought us closer to them.

Many people now share their homes with more than one animal, stand up to the injustice done to them, and put food on their doorstep and build huts for shelter in cold weather. Obviously from Islamic culture and Ottoman our values ​​still remain.

Finally, it is worth mentioning…

No matter how well cared for them, none of the animals we tame actually deserve to live on the street. It’s called “pet”. Animals whose instincts are dulled and dependent on humans increase in population for them, it poses the risk of serious illness, starvation and premature death.

Without forgetting how valuable it is that the Ottoman and Islamic culture’s influence on animals, which we mentioned in our article, extends to the present day, we will protect the right to life of animals and protect them. laws that will legally protect We hope it comes out soon.