@masterraalkivictorieux Master Ra’al Ki Victorieux

Cats are cherished in Moroccan culture, roaming freely and cared for by locals. Their history with humans dates back 9,000 years! 🐱💖 #MoroccanCats #CulturalTreasures #FelineFriends #ArtOfLiving https://wp.me/p3JLEZ-8xq

Cats are an important part of Moroccan culture and are commonly seen throughout the country. They have been a fascinating and enigmatic presence in human history for milennia. Evidence suggest that the domestica cat (Felis catus) traces its ancestry back to the Near East, particularly ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeological findings indicate that cats began to form a mutually beneficial relationship with humans around 9,000 years ago, as they proved invaluable in controlling rodent populations. In ancient Egypt, cats were associated with Bastet, the goddess of home, fertility, and childbirth. In Mesopotamia, cats were esteemed for their hunting powers and revered for their ability to safeguard homes. During human history, cats have been hunters, protectors, and revered companions.

There are as many street cats in Morocco as there are people. They are well-integrated into society and are not afraid of humans. Locals and some tourist often leave out food and water for the cats, feeding and petting them.

The Andalusian Gardens in the Kasbah in Rabat is a great place to see cats. You also can see cats in the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, and in Essaouira. One of the magical places to visit Moroccan cats is Chefchaouen, a city in northwest Morocco, the chief town of the province of the same name, noted for its buildings in shades of blue, for which it is nicknamed the “Blue City”.

Islam and cats

The cat is considered “the quintessential pet” by many Muslims, and is admired for its cleanliness. Unlike many other animals, such as dogs, Islamic Law considers cats ritually pure and that cats possess barakah (blessings), and allows cats to freely enter homes and even mosques. Cats are believed to be the most common pet in Muslim countries.

History

The American poet and travel author Bayard Taylor (1825–1878) was astonished when he discovered a Syrian hospital where cats roamed freely. The institution, in which domestic felines were sheltered and nourished, was funded by a waqf, along with caretakers’ wages, veterinary care, and cat food. Edward William Lane (1801–1876), a British Orientalist who resided in Cairo, described a cat garden originally endowed by the 13th-century Egyptian sultan Baibars.

Wilfred Thesiger, in his book The Marsh Arabs, notes that cats were allowed free entry to community buildings in villages in the Mesopotamian Marshes and were even fed. Aside from protecting granaries and food stores from pests, cats were valued by the paper-based Arab-Islamic cultures for preying on mice that destroyed books. For that reason, cats are often depicted in paintings alongside Islamic scholars and bibliophiles.

Hygiene and neutering

Food sampled by cats is considered halal, in the sense that their consumption of the food does not make it impermissible for Muslims to eat, and water from which cats have drunk is permitted for wudu (the ablution that is done by Muslims).

Muslim scholars are divided on the issue of neutering animals. Most, however, maintain that neutering cats is allowed “if there is some benefit in neutering the cat and if that will not cause its death”. Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen, a 20th-century Saudi Arabian Wahhabi imam, preached:

If there are too many cats and they are a nuisance, and if the operation will not harm them, then there is nothing wrong with it, because this is better than killing them after they have been created. But if the cats are ordinary cats and are not causing a nuisance, perhaps it is better to leave them alone to reproduce.

Muezza

According to one story, Muhammad had a cat named Muezza (or Muʿizza; Arabic: معزة). While preparing for prayer, Muhammad discovered Muezza on his prayer robe, so he cut the sleeve off as to not disturb the cat. However, there is no mention of any such cat or story in any hadith, which has led many Muslims to consider this story untrue. Assim Al-Hakeem, a Sunni cleric, comments on a question made about Muezza:

But to claim that the prophet had a cat and he named it “Mu’izza” and the prophet did this or that, all of this is nonsense and baseless.

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, a Shia cleric, also comments on a question about Muezza, in which he says:

About the name of a cat in the house of the Prophet, the narration is found in Sunni books, but I could not find it till now in our Shia books. It make no difference as the Hadeeths which we have are authentic in allowing having a cat at home.

Whether the story of Muezza is true or fabricated, Muhammad is known to have criticized abusers of cats.

The Moroccan Cat

Cats in Morocco hold a special significance as symbols of companionship, protection, and luck, deeply intertwined with the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. From the Berber tribes to contemporary cities, cats have coexisted with humans, serving as spiritual guardians and cherished companions. Their presence reflects a relationship cultivated over millennia, embodying the community spirit and connection to the divine that permeate Moroccan life. This bond is not merely superficial; even in their role as protectors against pests, cats symbolize a deeper connection to the earth and daily existence, reminding Moroccans of the importance of nurturing empathy and harmony with all living beings.

Despite their revered status, many street cats wander the bustling cities in search of food, dreaming of a kind-hearted person who might offer them a tray filled with tender morsels of meat or fish. Feeding a solitary cat often leads to an entire feline congregation forming around you, characterized by a captivating mix of gentle mews and louder cries—a symphony of appreciation for your generosity. In the labyrinthine alleys, these cats move with an effortless grace, becoming an integral part of the vibrant tapestry of Moroccan culture. Artists, painters, and photographers draw inspiration from these enigmatic creatures, weaving their mystique into works that grace homes and galleries, further highlighting their role as enduring symbols of beauty and artistic expression in Moroccan society.

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