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As the weather here in New York turns chilly and gloomy, my thoughts turn to sunny places. What could be sunnier than exotic Morocco, and what about those sacred And the mysterious Moroccan cats? I could imagine them lounging on Persian rugs near the Kasbah or sunbathing on gorgeous ornate Moroccan tiles, but what do I know?
I’ve never been to Morocco but Safa Jazz did. In fact, she is Moroccan, based in New York, cat lover and founder Moroccan flavour.
Safaa She loves photographing cats in Morocco when she’s on a shopping trip and guest contributed to this post.
Cats in Morocco are sacred creatures
Think back to ancient Egypt when the cat was king. In fact, cats were considered sacred. We see the evidence in the historical photos. There is a close love and respect for cats these days in modern Morocco – although not as strong as in ancient Egypt.
If you think your cat has roots in ancient Egypt, she’ll enjoy this relaxing treat.
In fact, Moroccans – most of whom are worshipers of Islam – follow the Prophet Muhammad and know that he had a cat goat. This is correct! She slept next to him until one day when he went to pray, he couldn’t pick up the djellaba, because she was sleeping right on top of it – comfortable and warm. He did not dare move it, lest the garment be torn.
On her return home, she is there, in a djellaba and curling up in front of him to honor his presence. The Prophet wanted to thank him, or as the story goes, he ran his hand down her spine three times in foreplay. It was his gift to her. This privilege, or tradition if you will, has been maintained to this day.
The story tells us how much the Prophet Muhammad loved his cat. In fact, it was such that he would take it with him to pray in Mecca. You will see him walking by with the goat in his arms. The love was evident. To this day, cats are welcome in mosques. Muslims consider them sacred animals endowed with good luck (pond).
The cat is a pure being
In addition to being sacred, cats are said to be a pure being as a species. A quick look at the biblical texts tells us that the cat was included in Noah’s Ark, and they didn’t ride in two, but they seem to have been born from a lion’s sneeze. It was a blessing as the ship was infested with rats. The lion was afraid to bite his mouth, but after sneezing, he gave birth to cherished kittens. They can now go about their business and trap the nasty rodents on board. (Did Noah invite them?)
These cat tales abound, and each is a fascinating glimpse into a special creature.
No wonder they are so popular all over the world, whether they are roaming the city streets or sleeping on their owner’s bed in pure bliss. We think we know the origin of the cat cult, but whether that is true or not, they are revered for their ability to hunt and destroy mice. Rats are considered by some Muslims to be unclean, evil, and a threat to their food supply.
Predatory cats
Yes, cats are innate predators despite their loving nature. They warm to humans while being useful around the house. It’s easy to win home first with a little purring. There are many sides to cats, and a predator is just one of them. It has long been linked to the popularity of cats and the reason why they were allowed to breed. A clean house will have cats at all times! Woe to any rodent who dares enter.
They are pets, predators, loving creatures, and given a clean space. After all, don’t they constantly wash themselves to remove dirt and debris? They spend hours licking their coats with their feet. They can get to the hardest places this way – like their ears or the top of their heads. Thus they have earned the distinction of being symbols of purity. While many Muslims consider dogs unclean.
No wonder people don’t mind when cats sit on furniture or on their laps. They may sleep curled up under your chin or in the most unusual of places. In most parts of Morocco, they are respected and protected by offering them food and drink.
Editor’s note: Not all Moroccan cats live in heaven. Like every country in the world, Morocco has its share of stray or community cats and dogs. Veterinary services especially spay/neuter are very much needed. There is an amazing UK based organization that is doing amazing work to save animals in Morocco. If you would like to know more, visit,
Help street animals in Morocco HSAM
The images in this post are courtesy of moroccian Except for the one branded Cat Wisdom 101 courtesy of Shutterstock Pro.
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