Post by Tamrin on Sept 12, 2012 15:32:52 GMT 10
Freemasonry in Turkey (excerpts):
By Kaya Pasakay, former Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, and Dr. Semih Tezcan, Past Master of Sebat Lodge, No. 150, GLT.
By Kaya Pasakay, former Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, and Dr. Semih Tezcan, Past Master of Sebat Lodge, No. 150, GLT.
Freemasonry came early to Turkey, at that time the heartland of a huge Ottoman Empire embracing most of North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans. While details are lacking, there is a tradition that the first lodge was founded for non-Muslim merchants near the Arab Mosque in the Thursday Market Place, Galata, Istanbul. In 1738, a London newspaper mentioned lodges meeting in Smyrna (modern Izmir) and Aleppo but the first hard evidence we have comes in 1748 when the Ottoman Sultan, Mahmut I, forbade all masonic activities - indicating that some existed to ban.
Realising that many Kings in Europe were also the Grand Masters of their respective Countries, Sultan Abdulhamit II (1876-1909), whose three younger brothers were all Freemasons, decided to preside over all Freemasonry within the Ottoman Empire. He believed that by joining he might be able to better control not only restless non-moslem minorities but also it might improve his relations with the West. But he was never initiated; it is believed that certain Freemasons opposed him. In 1878, through the influence of masonic circles, an unsuccessful revolt against his rule erupted in an attempt to reinstate his younger brother the former Sultan Murat V.
Between 1909 and 1918 most of Turkey’s ruling party were Freemasons; Mehmet Talat Sait Pasha, for instance, continued as both Grand Vizier as well as Grand Master of Turkey. The highest ranking generals in the Turkish army were also Freemasons.
The activities of the Grand Lodge of Turkey reached a climax during the Presidency of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1923-1938). Ataturk, a reformer, soldier, advocate of women’s rights, and the founder of the Turkish republic, was initiated in 1907 into Lodge Veritas - warranted by the French Grand Orient - in Salonica. When he landed at Samsun on 19 May 1919 to begin the struggle of independence, six out of his seven highranking military staff officers were Freemasons. During his time of rule there were always some members of his Cabinet who were Freemasons, indeed, from 1923 to 1938 some sixty Members of Parliament were members of the Craft.
The activities of the Grand Lodge of Turkey reached a climax during the Presidency of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1923-1938). Ataturk, a reformer, soldier, advocate of women’s rights, and the founder of the Turkish republic, was initiated in 1907 into Lodge Veritas - warranted by the French Grand Orient - in Salonica. When he landed at Samsun on 19 May 1919 to begin the struggle of independence, six out of his seven highranking military staff officers were Freemasons. During his time of rule there were always some members of his Cabinet who were Freemasons, indeed, from 1923 to 1938 some sixty Members of Parliament were members of the Craft.
Unfortunately, intensive pressures arising mostly from the oppressive regimes of Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini, forced Ataturk to recommend that the Grand Master of Turkey declare a cessation of activities on October 9, 1935.
But after the Second World War, since the decision to cease masonic activities was taken only by the governing body of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, and there was no particular Law or Decree requiring it to do so, masonic activities resumed 5 February 1948 with the headquarters in Istanbul.
But after the Second World War, since the decision to cease masonic activities was taken only by the governing body of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, and there was no particular Law or Decree requiring it to do so, masonic activities resumed 5 February 1948 with the headquarters in Istanbul.
Freemasonry in Turkey focuses upon the professional sector of Turkish society: a special effort and detailed screening process exists to select the ‘rough ashlar’ which aims at collecting together an ‘elite’ class. Entrance fees and annual dues are set at relatively high levels, affordable only by candidates without any severe financial shortcomings, meaning that, in practice usually candidates emerge from the upper echelon of Society such as rulers, diplomats, politicians, religious leaders, educators, doctors, writers, lawyers and poets. Military officers on active service, however, are forbidden to become Freemasons until they retire - and there are many former officers, generals and admirals who subsequently join the Craft.
Any English Freemason who visits Istanbul or any other city with a lodge will certainly find someone speaking English and by presenting a masonic certificate or being proved a Freemason, can attend lodge meetings. In addition, there are a small number of English speaking lodges working in Istanbul.
Any English Freemason who visits Istanbul or any other city with a lodge will certainly find someone speaking English and by presenting a masonic certificate or being proved a Freemason, can attend lodge meetings. In addition, there are a small number of English speaking lodges working in Istanbul.
