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."