Hello sir …I hope that I understood your question well, and I think that if you re-read the thread, you will find many posts & answers for your questions, I do not have Masonic e-books, But I will send to you in PMs Mr. Joshua a link that a freemason from Syria send it to me.
I would like to point out that the main Islamic figures who became Freemasons in the 19th century (who later strengthened “joining Freemasonry” among Muslims), these figures joined the regular will known grand lodges, for example, Prince Abdul Qadir Al Jazairi Who was the head of a very important Sufi mystic order, joined French lodges at the beginnings then he introduced Freemasonry to Syria, Sheikh Jamal al-Din Afghani and Sheikh Mohamed Abdu (The Grand Mufti of Egypt) joined at first English lodges in Cairo working under EC, so we are not talking about a different freemasonry here, you can find in the thread many explanations about Why the Masonic fraternity attracted Muslims in the middle east, For example, in Egypt (between the nineteenth century until the mid-twentieth century), it was like a (Custom) among many Islamic students & Sheikhs of Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo (very important Islamic reference), to join Masonic lodges in Egypt, another example, When Afghani & Abduh were exiled from Egypt to Europe after some political events in Egypt, They founded (Al urwah Al wuthqa Society) which included many Muslims Masons and had a few Publications (not Masonic), the Society had some branches in Asia, Europe and MidEast, before Abduh went back to Egypt, that Society is important in the memory of some Muslims masons until these days, before some years ago, some muslims seniors freemasons in our region, established a (Al urwah Al wuthqa Society) that I know, it works in low profile, I can not speak or write more about sir because they are still living seniors masons and respected elders. LOJ.
I am an American Muslim Freemason, if I can be of help, please let me know. Also, for political/religious reasons I can not disclose my name in public, because just like the Evangelicals in the West, we have Wahabis in the East that are not tolerant of Freemasonry.
In regards to Islam and Freemasonry, I would recommend reading these two articles:
In regards to “Shrine Masonry”, it has it’s roots in Shia Islam, which permits images, statues, and other items that would be deemed forbidden in the eyes of Saudi Wahabis.
May I suggest an interesting book that may be of much use to the people posting in this thread. It was written by my lecturer and the HRH Prince Michael of Albany. It’s called ‘The Knights Templar of the Middle East’ and includes a lot of stuff about freemasonary.
Thank you for the posting, but with all due respect, I am Curious as to why all your previous posts are simple questions related to things like “Why do we call ourselves the Craft”, and “Did Freemasonry start in Scotland?” and then suddenly you are recommending how a book that explains the “Origins of Freemasonry” will be a “great help to those posting on the Forum”—A book, no less, that was written by “your lecturer”?
Seems like your Lecturer could have answered your earlier questions pretty easily….
Something is amiss here I’m afraid. We are going to allow the posting of the link for the moment, because I’m sure you are fully aware that the person writing the book, whose real name is Michel Roger Lafosse from Belgium, is somewhat notorious. I do not know whether he is a Freemason or not—others on the Forum may—but as you might be able to surmise by his nom de plume, he has claimed to be the lost heir to the Stuart throne, among other things, and this is only the latest in a long line of names he has used. Unfortunately, most of his work (including this one) has been exposed as fraudulent in the press and elsewhere, and I believe he is no even longer welcome in th British Isles.
But all that is neither here nor there. For those wishing to become Freemasons, the only thing one has to know is that the recognised Masonic appendant body of the Knights Templar claims only to take their inspiration from the Knights, and in fact state that there is no evidence that there is any real connection to the 13th century Knights Templar organization.
So while the Lofosse book and others may be entertaining reading and speculation, the origins of Freemasonry itself actually can only be traced historically to the late 17th century in England. and the Fraternity itself claims only its formal history dating to the early 18th century.
It would be great, Curious, if you could tell us more about your connection to Mr. Lafosse before posting any more questions or responses.
I’m afraid I don’t have a connection to Mr. Lafosse. I merely know of him. The simple questions I am asking is merely that I want to get an answer from the horses mouth as I don’t know any freemasons personally. I do know my lecturer who introduced me to the book. The man that claims to be the heir to the Stuarts’ works as a taxi driver in Edinburgh I’ve heard but that’s all I know of him and I am in the process of reading the book. It’s hard reading and I’m halfway through it. At the moment I’m finishing my Masters degree and hoping to do an MLit in creative writing next year. Also, the reason I asked ‘Did the Freemasons originate in Scotland’ is because there are a few lodges that claim that it did according to the websites and I have just been browsing them. But that was some time ago and I can’t remember the links to them.
Thanks. I guess my point here is that why would you post a link to or read a book by a crazy taxi driver who (used to be) in Scotland who first wrote a book claiming that he was the lost heir to the Stuart throne and now has written a book saying he knows all the origins of the Knights Templar as well as Freemasonry?
The book is probably hard to read because most books that have poor scholorship muddle their facts to make their point.
Feel free to ask your questions here. You’ll get straight answers.
But we’re not here as a just repository of information—we’re here to help men become Freemasons if they want to. If they don’t want to, then this is not the right site.
I recommended the book only because it was ‘The Knights Templar of the Middle East’ and the book is well written and it had something in common with the title of the thread. I didn’t recommend the book to make a statement that I know more about the Freemasons than others on the forum. I just thought that it would be a good book to recommend.
I am genuinely interested in Freemasonary and I am not trying to claim otherwise. I don’t know whether I should join Freemasonary or the Knights of St Columba; that’s the dilemma I’m in just now. I like the site and it’s the only one of its kind so well done on creating it.
It was written by my lecturer and the HRH Prince Michael of Albany. It’s called ‘The Knights Templar of the Middle East’ and includes a lot of stuff about freemasonary.
I’m sorry, but you stated it was written by your lecturer, then you say you don’t have a connection, then you say it’s hard to read, then that it’s well written. - Come on!! How can we take anything you say seriously?
It is well written. I’m more into reading crime fiction novels or thrillers because I’m into creative writing. That’s why I’m slow in reading the book. The connection is only with my lecturer. I only know of Prince Michael of Albany and that’s the honest truth. The main reason I am on the forum is to decide whether I want to join the masons or join the KofSC. That’s all. I don’t want people to sneer at me just because I mentioned the book. Like I said the website is one of a kind and I went on it to get honest answers from freemasons. That’s it. I guess my point is that so far my information on the Freemasons has always been from non-masons (however I have heard that there are a few Scottish masons that support ‘Michael of Abany’ in his claims). Again that’s neither here nor there because the connection is only with my lecturer. I only know my lecturer about this and it was a few years since I last saw him because this was when I was doing my Honours degree. I do hope I haven’t offended anybody and I apologize for putting the link up. I just thought that people would be interested in the book.
well i’m a muslim and by me i don’t think that freemasonry is against islam, i think that it help the persons to be positive at the comunity where they belong, its Meaningful brotherhood , and i’m really sorry that there is no lodge where i do belong
well i’m a muslim and by me i don’t think that freemasonry is against islam, i think that it help the persons to be positive at the comunity where they belong, its Meaningful brotherhood , and i’m really sorry that there is no lodge where i do belong
Then you have learned and important truth. I am happy to see that not everyone buys into the rhetoric and outright lies told about Freemasonry in your area. It would also be a great day when Freemasonry is no longer suppressed in these regions as we know it would bring people closer together and with better understanding and toleration. Maybe even help to end this silly bickering and animosity. But we can only hope.
Hello brethren, I am a late arrival to this old topic.
It’s my opinion that Freemasonry’s suppressed status in most of the Middle East has little to do with Islam and a lot to do with dictatorship and oppression. Despots have always opposed Freemasonry and suppressed it, along with any other group that has private meetings. Freemasonry thrives the most in the Mideast’s most democratic countries, Israel and Turkey. It’s not a coincidence.
