History Freemasonry in Turkey

1 history

1.1 18th century
1.2 19th century
1.3 20th century
1.4 21st century

history
18th century

the first lodge in turkey established around 1721 in istanbul levantines.

19th century

although freemasonry in turkey can traced 18th century, of time limited lodges under jurisdiction of foreign grand lodges, , there no independent turkish grand lodge. changed in 1856, when first turkish grand lodge established. sultan murad v member of lodge, becoming first , ottoman sultan join. first grand lodge banned in 1876 murad s successor.

20th century

the grand lodge came in 1909 in istanbul under new administration. because grand lodge used operate in secret, closed again in 1922, opened in year 1925 again. in 1935 grand lodge closed again. result of repeated closures, former grand lodge , members reluctant support ataturk s reformist policies.

in 1956 grand lodge of turkey reestablished in current form and, light introduction in 1962, recognition granted grand lodges of new york , scotland. in 1970, turkish grand lodge recognized united grand lodge of england , grand lodge of ireland regular lodge.

in 1964, after süleyman demirel wrote public letter declaring not freemason in order win nomination of presidency of justice party, split occurred within ranks of grand lodge, resulting in 1966 creation of grand lodge of liberal freemasons of turkey, continental-oriented body recognized grand orient de france, not united grand lodge of england.

21st century

a suicide bomb attack on istanbul lodge perpetrated turkish al-qaeda branch in 2004. 3 people killed in attack, including militant engin vural.