by Nadia Haider

Created on: July 06, 2010

The Shriners are part of the Freemasons group. They were founded in New York City in 1870 and are also known as the Ancient Arabic order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S – can be rearranged to read ‘A Mason’). They were founded by Walter M. Fleming, William Conlin and William J. Florence, who were Masons at the time and came up with the idea to create a new fraternity. This would be unique because it would rely on fun and comradeship rather than the performance of rituals.

William Florence related the incident of being invited to a party thrown by an Arabian diplomat in Marseilles. The party consisted of a elaborate musical comedy and at the end of the performance, the guests signed up to become part of a secret society. Florence shared these ideas and the fraternity was born. The Middle Eastern theme stayed and Temples and Mosques were opened across the USA.

The group, despite its Middle Eastern theme, are not related to Islam at all. Religion is not the basis of this fraternity. The only requirement is that the men must be members of the Masons and the Masons must profess their belief in a supreme being.

This fraternity has served the community through many projects. They often take part in local parades and organize circuses. They host the yearly college football all star game and an annual convention where thousands of them come together.

They have set up many hospitals, mostly for children and especially for those suffering from muscle or bone disorders and burn victims. The shriners support research in these areas and offer free treatment at their hospitals. They began this serious charity work in the 1920s when it was suggested that crippled children should have their own dedicated hospital. Nobel Forrest Adair of Atlanta, Georgia gave a speech on this topic and said that two dollars per year would be required from the Shriners, he was applauded and commended. Today, there more than 515,000 Shriners who dedicate their time, money and efforts to make sure their twenty two hospitals open throughout the USA, Mexico and Canada are running well for children.

From being occasionally looked at for wearing funny hats and starting out as a fun group, the Shriners branch of the Masons have proven that they are involved in far more serious issues such as free health care and other community projects.

Learn more about this author, Nadia Haider.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.