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{{Short description|Overview of Freemasonry in Turkey}}
{{Freemasonry}} {{Freemasonry}}
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===18th century=== ===18th century===
The first lodge in Turkey was probably established around 1721 in Istanbul by ].<ref name="layiktez">Celil Layiktez. "". Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry</ref> <ref></ref> The first lodge in Turkey was probably established around 1721 in Istanbul by ].<ref name="layiktez">Celil Layiktez. "". Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry</ref><ref></ref>

In 1748, Sultan ] outlawed Freemasonry in the ] and since that time Freemasonry was equated with ] in the Ottoman Empire and the broader Islamic world.<ref name=FitIW>Layiktez, Cecil "", Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry, 1996</ref>


===19th century=== ===19th century===
Freemasonry was legalised as a part of the Ottoman reforms in the 19th century.<ref>https://linfordresearch.info/fordownload/World%20of%20Fmy/Nairn%20Turkey.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref>
Although Freemasonry in Turkey can be traced into the 18th century, for much of that time it was limited to lodges under the jurisdiction of foreign grand lodges, and there was no independent Turkish Grand Lodge. This changed in 1856, when the first Turkish Grand Lodge was established. Sultan ] was a member of the lodge, becoming the first and only Ottoman sultan to join. This first Grand Lodge was banned in 1876 by Murad's successor Sultan Abdulhamit Han.

Although Freemasonry in Turkey can be traced into the 18th century, for much of that time it was limited to lodges under the jurisdiction of foreign grand lodges, and there was no independent Turkish Grand Lodge probably due to illegality. This changed in 1856, when after it was legalised the first Turkish Grand Lodge was established. Sultan ] was a member of the lodge, becoming the first and only Ottoman sultan to join. Masonic organizations were among the most important organizations active from 1875 to 1908.<ref>"", ], Middle Eastern Studies
Vol. 25, No. 2 (April 1989)</ref>


===20th and 21st centuries === ===20th and 21st centuries ===
] '']'' ]]] ] '']'' ]]]
The Grand Lodge came back in 1909 in Istanbul under a new administration. Because the Grand Lodge was used to operate in secret, it was closed again in 1922, only to be opened in the year 1925 again. In 1935 the Grand Lodge was closed again. As a result of the repeated closures, the former Grand Lodge and its members were reluctant to support ]'s reformist policies. The Grand Lodge came back in 1909 in Istanbul under a new administration. Because the Grand Lodge was used to operate in secret, it was banned in 1922, only to be re-established in 1925. In 1935, all Masonic lodges were banned on the ground that Masonic principles are incompatible with ].<ref>"". ''Malaya Tribune'', 14 October 1935, p. 5. ''The Government has decided to abolish all Masonic lodges in Turkey on the ground that Masonic principles are incompatible with nationalistic policy.''</ref> As a result of the repeated closures, the former Grand Lodge and its members were reluctant to support President ]'s ].


In 1956 the Grand Lodge of Turkey was reestablished in its current form and, together with the light introduction in 1962, recognition was granted by the Grand Lodges of New York and Scotland. In 1970, the Turkish Grand Lodge was recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Ireland as a regular lodge. In 1956, the Grand Lodge of Turkey was re-established in its current form and, together with the light introduction in 1962, recognition was granted by the Grand Lodges of New York and Scotland. In 1970, the Turkish Grand Lodge was recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Ireland as a regular lodge.


In 1964, after ] wrote a public letter declaring that he was not a Freemason in order to win the nomination of the presidency of the ], a split occurred within the ranks of the Grand Lodge, resulting in the 1966 creation of the ], which is a ]-oriented body recognized by the ], but not by the United Grand Lodge of England. In 1964, after ] wrote a public letter declaring that he was not a Freemason in order to win the nomination of the presidency of the ], a split occurred within the ranks of the Grand Lodge, resulting in the 1966 creation of the ], which is a ]-oriented body recognized by the ], but not by the United Grand Lodge of England.
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The history of Freemasonry in Turkey has also included the furthering of conspiracy theories by Islamists such as ]<ref></ref><ref></ref> as well as ] and his movement ]. The history of Freemasonry in Turkey has also included the furthering of conspiracy theories by Islamists such as ]<ref></ref><ref></ref> as well as ] and his movement ].


==Masonic bodies in Turkey==
Necmettin Erbakan never became a mason.

==Masonic Bodies in Turkey==
There are several Grand Lodges and Grand Orients currently operating in Turkey. There are several Grand Lodges and Grand Orients currently operating in Turkey.


===Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Turkey=== ===Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Turkey===
The '''Grand Lodge of Turkey''' ({{lang-tr|Hür ve Kabul Edilmiş Masonlar Büyük Locası}}) is the largest Masonic ] in ], labouring in the three symbolic degrees of ancient Freemasonry. It was established in 1909 and consists of over 250 Lodges in 10 cities around Turkey; including 5 English speaking, 3 French speaking, 1 German speaking and 1 Greek speaking Lodges. As of 2020, it has around 17.000 members. Being in amity with 158 Grand Lodges around the world, the body is the sole representative of ] in Turkey. The '''Grand Lodge of Turkey''' ({{langx|tr|Hür ve Kabul Edilmiş Masonlar Büyük Locası}}) is the largest Masonic ] in ], labouring in the three symbolic degrees of ancient Freemasonry. It was established in 1909 and consists of over 250 Lodges in 10 cities around Turkey; including 5 English speaking, 3 French speaking, 1 German speaking and 1 Greek speaking Lodges. As of 2020, it has around 17.000 members. Being in amity with 158 Grand Lodges around the world, the body is the sole representative of ] in Turkey.


As a single-ritual jurisdiction, the Lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Turkey uses the Turkish Ritual with stems from modern ritual of Scotland, as well as French and Schrödinger rituals. Almost all Turkish Lodges meet on a bi-weekly basis. With the exception of Lodges situated at the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal towns, two to three months summer recess is customary. As a single-ritual jurisdiction, the Lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Turkey uses the Turkish Ritual with stems from modern ritual of Scotland, as well as French and ] rituals. Almost all Turkish Lodges meet on a bi-weekly basis. With the exception of Lodges situated at the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal towns, two to three months summer recess is customary.


===Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey=== ===Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Turkey===
The Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey (Turkish: Özgür Masonlar Büyük Locası) was established in 1966 after a split from the Grand Lodge and follows the ] Style of Freemasonry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mason-mahfili.org.tr/main/index.asp |title=webpage of the Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey |access-date=2009-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228132855/http://www.mason-mahfili.org.tr/main/index.asp |archive-date=2009-02-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Turkey (Turkish: ''Özgür Masonlar Büyük Locası'') was established in 1966 after a split from the Grand Lodge and follows the ] Style of Freemasonry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mason-mahfili.org.tr/main/index.asp |title=webpage of the Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey |access-date=2009-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228132855/http://www.mason-mahfili.org.tr/main/index.asp |archive-date=2009-02-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* *
* *
{{Freemasonry in Europe}} {{Freemasonry in Europe}}



Latest revision as of 20:17, 31 October 2024

Overview of Freemasonry in Turkey
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Window above the entrance of the building of the Grand Lodge of Turkey in Istanbul

The history of Freemasonry in Turkey stretches back to the 18th century under Ottoman imperial rule.

History

18th century

The first lodge in Turkey was probably established around 1721 in Istanbul by Levantines.

In 1748, Sultan Mahmud I outlawed Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire and since that time Freemasonry was equated with atheism in the Ottoman Empire and the broader Islamic world.

19th century

Freemasonry was legalised as a part of the Ottoman reforms in the 19th century.

Although Freemasonry in Turkey can be traced into the 18th century, for much of that time it was limited to lodges under the jurisdiction of foreign grand lodges, and there was no independent Turkish Grand Lodge probably due to illegality. This changed in 1856, when after it was legalised the first Turkish Grand Lodge was established. Sultan Murad V was a member of the lodge, becoming the first and only Ottoman sultan to join. Masonic organizations were among the most important organizations active from 1875 to 1908.

20th and 21st centuries

Ottoman damat Ahmed Nami Bey

The Grand Lodge came back in 1909 in Istanbul under a new administration. Because the Grand Lodge was used to operate in secret, it was banned in 1922, only to be re-established in 1925. In 1935, all Masonic lodges were banned on the ground that Masonic principles are incompatible with nationalistic policy. As a result of the repeated closures, the former Grand Lodge and its members were reluctant to support President Kemal Atatürk's reformist policies.

In 1956, the Grand Lodge of Turkey was re-established in its current form and, together with the light introduction in 1962, recognition was granted by the Grand Lodges of New York and Scotland. In 1970, the Turkish Grand Lodge was recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Ireland as a regular lodge.

In 1964, after Süleyman Demirel wrote a public letter declaring that he was not a Freemason in order to win the nomination of the presidency of the Justice Party, a split occurred within the ranks of the Grand Lodge, resulting in the 1966 creation of the Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey, which is a Continental-oriented body recognized by the Grand Orient de France, but not by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Anti-Freemasonry

The history of Freemasonry in Turkey has also included the furthering of conspiracy theories by Islamists such as Adnan Oktar as well as Necmettin Erbakan and his movement Millî Görüş.

Masonic bodies in Turkey

There are several Grand Lodges and Grand Orients currently operating in Turkey.

Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Turkey

The Grand Lodge of Turkey (Turkish: Hür ve Kabul Edilmiş Masonlar Büyük Locası) is the largest Masonic Grand Lodge in Turkey, labouring in the three symbolic degrees of ancient Freemasonry. It was established in 1909 and consists of over 250 Lodges in 10 cities around Turkey; including 5 English speaking, 3 French speaking, 1 German speaking and 1 Greek speaking Lodges. As of 2020, it has around 17.000 members. Being in amity with 158 Grand Lodges around the world, the body is the sole representative of regular Freemasonry in Turkey.

As a single-ritual jurisdiction, the Lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Turkey uses the Turkish Ritual with stems from modern ritual of Scotland, as well as French and Schröder rituals. Almost all Turkish Lodges meet on a bi-weekly basis. With the exception of Lodges situated at the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal towns, two to three months summer recess is customary.

Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Turkey

The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Turkey (Turkish: Özgür Masonlar Büyük Locası) was established in 1966 after a split from the Grand Lodge and follows the Continental Style of Freemasonry.

References

  1. Celil Layiktez. "The History of Freemasonry In Turkey". Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry
  2. "The History of Freemasonry in Turkey"
  3. Layiktez, Cecil "Freemasonry in the Islamic World", Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry, 1996
  4. https://linfordresearch.info/fordownload/World%20of%20Fmy/Nairn%20Turkey.pdf
  5. "Notes on the Young Turks and the Freemasons, 1875-1908", M. Şükrü Hanioğlu, Middle Eastern Studies Vol. 25, No. 2 (April 1989)
  6. "TURKISH BAN ON FREEMASONS. All Lodges To Be Abolished". Malaya Tribune, 14 October 1935, p. 5. The Government has decided to abolish all Masonic lodges in Turkey on the ground that Masonic principles are incompatible with nationalistic policy.
  7. "Muslim creationist Adnan Oktar challenges scientists to prove evolution", Guardian, Monday December 22, 2008.
  8. "AN INTERVIEW WITH MR ADNAN OKTAR BY AL JAZEERA TV"
  9. "webpage of the Grand Lodge of Liberal Freemasons of Turkey". Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-11-06.

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