Freemasonry in Turkey
Encyclopedia
The history of Freemasonry
in Turkey
stretches back to the 18th century under Ottoman
imperial rule.
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 1964, after Süleyman Demirel
wrote a public letter declaring that he was not a Freemason in order to win the nomination of the residency 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
and declared as irregular by the United Grand Lodge of England.
branch in 2004. Three people were killed in the attack, including the militant Engin Vural.
and his movement Millî Görüş
.
s overseeing Freemasonry
in Turkey
. It was founded in 1948 and consists of 180 Lodges in cities around Turkey. As of 2001 it had an estimated 12,000 members. It is recognized by most regular Grand Lodges and follows the traditional Anglo-American style of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
stretches back to the 18th century under Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
imperial rule.
18th century
The first lodge in Turkey was probably established around 1721 in Istanbul by Levantines.19th century
Although Freemasonry in Turkey goes so far back, it was not until 1856 in Macedonia that the first Turkish Grand Lodge was established. Until then, Freemasonry in Turkey was limited to boxes of foreign grand lodges. The Grand Lodge was banned in 1876 by the Sultan.20th century
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 Ataturk's reformist policies.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 1964, after Süleyman Demirel
Süleyman Demirel
Sami Süleyman Gündoğdu Demirel, better known as Süleyman Demirel , is a Turkish politician who served as Prime Minister seven times and was the ninth President of Turkey.-Life:Demirel was born in İslamköy, a town in Isparta Province...
wrote a public letter declaring that he was not a Freemason in order to win the nomination of the residency of the Justice Party
Justice Party
Justice Party is the name of several different political parties around the world:*Indian Justice Party*Justice Party *Justice Party *Justice Party *Justice Party *Justice Party *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
Continental Freemasonry
Continental Freemasonry refers to those Masonic lodges, mainly on the continent of Europe, that recognise the Grand Orient de France or belong to CLIPSAS or SIMPA.-The two branches of Freemasonry:Today, Freemasonry...
-oriented body recognized by the Grand Orient de France
Grand Orient de France
The Grand Orient de France is the largest of several Masonic organizations in France and the oldest in Continental Europe, founded in 1733.-Foundation:...
and declared as irregular by the United Grand Lodge of England.
21st century
A suicide bomb attack on an Istanbul lodge was perpetrated by a Turkish al-QaedaAl-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
branch in 2004. Three people were killed in the attack, including the militant Engin Vural.
Local anti-Freemasonry
The history of Freemasonry in Turkey has also included the furthering of conspiracy theories by Islamists such as Necmettin ErbakanNecmettin Erbakan
Necmettin Erbakan was a Turkish engineer, academic, politician , who was the Prime Minister of Turkey from 1996 until 1997. He was Turkey's first Islamist Prime Minister...
and his movement Millî Görüş
Millî Görüs
Millî Görüş has been called one of "the leading Turkish diaspora organizations in Europe". Founded in 1969, the movement claimed to have "87,000 members across Europe, including 50,000 in Germany," as of 2005...
.
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 is the largest of several Masonic Grand LodgeGrand Lodge
A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England....
s overseeing Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It was founded in 1948 and consists of 180 Lodges in cities around Turkey. As of 2001 it had an estimated 12,000 members. It is recognized by most regular Grand Lodges and follows the traditional Anglo-American style of Freemasonry.