GRAAL -ARTHUR-EXCALIBUR - PAIX-LIBERTE-AMOUR DIVIN

Masonic High Council of Egypt Under the Auspices of the Regular     Grand Lodge of the Middle East

Luxor Lodge No.1 orient of Cairo

Regularly established in 2007

Cairo - Egypt

Freemasonry               in Egypt

Freemasonry first appeared               in Egypt in around 1798, introduced by French Masons in Napoleon’s               conquering armies. We do not know if Napoleon was a Freemason but               he certainly used the Craft to befriend the people by first showing               every respect for their religion and then mixing with them socially               in an international brotherhood. He wasted no time in flooding the               country with circulars about respecting the Moslem religion and               in founding the Isis Lodge, into which several eminent people were               initiated.

The name “Isis”                was adopted after the mysterious rites of the Priests of Isis, sister               and wife of Osiris, a prominent figure in Egyptian mythology. It               practised the so-called “Memphis Rite”, named after               the place where the fraternity of priests met and which was the               great school of wisdom and mysteries of the Egyptians. There appears               to be no historical warrant for this rite which claimed to continue               the hermetic and spiritual teachings of the ancient Egyptians. The               rite is known to have practised some 90 degrees, each with their               respective secrets and ceremonies.

Isis Lodge appears to               have prospered under its first Master, General Kleber, until he               was murdered in 1800. At this time,               following the withdrawal of the French, Freemasonry seems to have               lost its popularity or gone underground.               In 1830, some Italians formed the Carbonari Lodge in Alexandria.               This Lodge was altogether political and, as its activities               were closely watched by the Government, its meetings were held in               complete secrecy. It proved popular, however, and a further Lodge,                “Menes”, working the Memphis Rite, was founded which               also prospered.               One of the most active members, a Samuel Honnis (sometimes spelled               Hanas), a Memphis Rite Freemason, founded a               number of French Lodges in Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez               and Cairo, including the Al Ahram in Alexandria in 1845.

This was “recognized”                by the Government and many senior officials were initiated into               it, including the famous Emir Abd el Gazairi, who fought the French               in Algeria and, whilst exiled in Syria, gave refuge to and saved               hundreds of Christian families during the Damascus massacres. Another               famous Initiate was Salvatore Zola who became Grand Master of the               Grand Orient and Grand Lodge of Egypt. He also founded the first               Italian Lodge to work the Scottish Rite in Alexandria in 1849.

In 1836, the Supreme               Council of the Memphis Rite of France issued a Warrant for a Provincial               Grand Council in Egypt and               several more Lodges were founded in Egypt under the Italian jurisdiction               and others up to 1862, all of which worked in perfect harmony with               the French Provincial Grand Lodge.

However, Egyptian Masons               who found themselves working under such varied Constitutions, decided               to have one of their                own. In 1864, a Provisional Warrant (confirmed in 1866) was granted               by the Grand Orient of Italy creating the Grand Orient of Egypt               to work the higher Degrees and a National Grand Lodge of Egypt to               work the first three Degrees.               This eliminated the state of anarchy which had existed between the               many rites and Constitutions and this Masonic Authority gradually               became recognised worldwide. Prince Halim (an Initiate of Bulwer               Lodge of Cairo) was made Supreme Grand Commander and was succeeded               by Salvatore Zola.

The Khedive Ismail,               one of the greatest figures in 19th century Egypt, although not               a Mason, patronised the order as a prominent humanitarian organisation               and allowed his son Tewfik to be initiated.               In 1881, The Khedive Tewfik Pasha became Grand Master and held sway               over more than 500 Lodges working in English, French, Greek, Hebrew,               Italian and Arabic, and obtained recognition for the Grand Lodge               of Egypt from most of the recognised Grand Lodges of the world.               Bro. Mousa Sindaha’s research shows that The Khedive Tewfik               in fact assigned his duties to Hussein Fakhry               Basha, the Minister of Justice, and that the number of Lodges was               nearer 56 than 500. In 1891, The Khedive Tewfik Pasha ceded his               Office to Idris Bey Ragheb.

English Freemasonry               in Egypt W. Bro. Mishellany’s notes refer to the first English               Lodge in Egypt as being founded in 1860 at the Suez Hotel. This               was known as Oriental Lodge and met at the premises then known as               the Suez Hotel but there is no record of Oriental Lodge at the United               Grand Lodge of England.

There is, however, an               Oriental Lodge, No. 472, warranted at Suez by the Grand Lodge of               Scotland on 5th August 1867 and it is possible that confusion has               arisen over time. This Scottish Lodge became dormant in 1881.

Freemasonry being extremely               popular then, English Masons were not far behind the other nations.               Between 1862 and 1871 they formed eight Lodges directly under the               United Grand Lodge of England, namely St. John, No. 919, 1862 -               1877, Hyde Clark, No. 1082, 1865 - 1869, St. John and St. Paul,               No. 1154, 1867 - 1872, Zetland, No. 1157, 1867 - 1956, Albert Edward               Lodge, No. 1291, consecrated in 1969, all in Alexandria; La Concordia,               No. 1226, 1868 - 1890, working in Italian in Cairo; Bulwer Lodge               of Cairo, No. 1068 in 1865, Grecia, No. 1105 in 1866, both in Cairo               and still working, and Kawkab el Sharq, (Star of the East) No.1355,               1871 - 1956, also in Cairo.

These Lodges, being               under the control of the United Grand Lodge of England and Egypt               being part of the Ottoman Empire, were subject to the Inspection               of the District Grand Master of Turkey, R.W. Bro. Sir Henry Bulwer,               later Baron Dalling & Bulwer, after whom our Lodge is named.

In 1867, the Grand Master               agreed to the creation of a District Grand Lodge of Egypt and installed               Prince Halim as R.W. Bro. District Grand Master of Egypt whilst               he was in London. A year later, Prince Halim was exiled from Egypt               and he appointed as his Deputy               Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul, R.W. Bro. R. Borg (probably               the first initiate of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and its Worshipful Master               in 1871), who continued in the Office until 1878, when the District               Grand Lodge of Egypt was dissolved.

The District Grand Lodge               was created because the National Grand Lodge of Egypt had lost its               recognition by the United Grand Lodge of England as it patronised               Lodges working several rites not recognised by the UGLE, including               the Memphis Rite. Although the individual Lodges under the District               met frequently, the District Grand Lodge met only three times in               the seven years of its existence, on 24th June 1871, 3rd April 1873               and 2nd April 1874 with R.W. Bro. Borg presiding on each occasion.

Salvatore Zola, who               wanted the Egyptian Grand Lodge recognised worldwide, summarily               eliminated all the irregular and unrecognised Lodges and enforced               strict adherence to the recognised Ancient and Established Scottish               Rite. He made it known to the United Grand Lodge of England that               the National Grand Lodge of Egypt was working regularly. The Warrant               issued to Prince Halim was withdrawn and the English Lodges were               instructed to work with the National Grand Lodge. A sort of agreement               was reached that no new Lodges would be formed under the United               Grand Lodge of England in territory covered by the Egyptian Constitution.
              Several Lodges were, however, formed by English residents under               the Egyptian Constitution, including Idris, Corinthian, Ragheb,               Rising Sun and Breda Lodges. They worked in English, on English               principles and according to English Constitution and Ritual but               under the authority of the National Grand Lodge of Egypt from whom               they obtained their Charters.               In 1889, the Grand Mastership was entrusted to Idris Bey Ragheb,               an extremely wealthy notable. Being a keen Freemason, he devoted               all his energies and considerable sums of money to further the cause               of Egyptian Freemasonry, keeping careful control over the workings               of Lodges and Chapters and their relations to the English Lodges               for 25 years.

When his fortune declined,               having been entirely spent on Masonic projects, his control weakened               and some of his retinue began trafficking in Masonry and committing               irregularities. Being in need, Idris himself obtained money by overlooking               their actions and Masonic Honours were sold to the highest bidder.               The English Brethren could not tolerate these irregularities and,               after several meetings with Idris Bey, complaints started to reach               the United Grand Lodge of England which resulted in the creation               of the District Grand Lodge of Egypt and the Sudan in 1899, with               R.W. Bro Lord Kitchener of Khartoum as first District Grand Master.               All future Lodges were formed under the District, beginning with               Khartoum Lodge No. 2877, then Sir Reginald Wingate Lodge No. 2954;               Pelusium Lodge, No. 3003; Delta Lodge, No. 3060; Lotus Lodge, No.               3296 and others in later years.

 

Judge Ragheb           Idriss Bey Governor of Kalioubieh, Grand Master of Egypt from 1891 to           1923

Whilst some Brethren were           in favour of waiting for the formation of a District Grand Lodge of           Egypt, others were for handing in their Charters and forming new Lodges           under the English Constitution. The latter were Idris and Corinthian           Lodges. They handed in their Egyptian Charters and together formed Ionic           Lodge, No. 3997, in 1919.           The Egyptian Grand Lodge continued in existence under Idris Bey, who           declared his intention to retire in 1922 after 33 years as Grand Master.           It had long been his intention to hand over to a Prince of the reigning           family and, when Prince Mohamed Aly (or Prince Aziz, according to Bro.           Mousa Sindaha’s research) agreed to stand for election, he was           delighted. However, on realising that the election would deprive him           of the income from the sale of honours and higher degrees, he later           declared that no election would take place as he had decided to continue,           much to the surprise of the Grand Lodge.

This, of course, resulted           in a heated discussion and Idris Bey, seeing the majority were against           him, left the Lodge. Grand Lodge still being open, the Chair was taken           by the Pro Grand Master and the vote took place. Ninety eight of the           one hundred and two recorded votes were in favour of Prince Mohamed           Aly who was there and then declared Grand Master and Installed at the           next meeting of Grand Lodge.

Idris Bey, naturally, declared           the proceedings irregular and formed another Grand Lodge of his own.           One of the members reported to the Palace that the group which had elected           Mohamed Aly had political objectives, with a view to changing the existing           regime. The Court promptly issued orders to support Idris Bey and Government           officials who were Masons received orders to follow this line. Wholesale           Initiations took place to swell the ranks of the Idris group, while           supporters of the Prince were harassed at every opportunity.

Neither Grand Lodge was           recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England but, for a short time,           the Grand Lodge of           Scotland retained relations with the Lodge under the Prince. However,           as competition between the Lodges became more serious, leading to grave           irregularities, they withdrew all recognition.

Even after Prince Mohamed           Aly resigned as Grand Master, his Grand Lodge continued to be suspected           of working for           political motives. In 1932, following orders, an attempt to unite the           two Grand Lodges was made under the auspices of the Grand Orient which           had been dormant for many years.           The instructions were that there should be one Grand Master with Grand           Officers loyal to the throne. This nearly succeeded.

However, dissent over who           should hold various Offices led to a breakdown of negotiations and there           continued to be two Grand Lodges, with the majority of Lodges forming           a new National Grand Lodge of Egypt.           The dissenting Lodges formed their own so-called “Grand Orient”,            run on commercial lines, it being said that they sold           Degrees and Grand Lodge Certificates to the highest bidder.

In 1934, the National Grand           Lodge of Egypt, formerly run by Prince Mohamed Aly and now run by Abdul           Maguid Younis,           was working in order and with fair regularity. It once again applied           for recognition by the Kindred Grand Lodges. The Pro Grand Master, Lord           Ampthill, in Egypt for the Installation of Rt. Rev. Bishop Gwynne as           District Grand Master, was approached and agreed to investigate. However,           the recognition sought from London was never granted.           Further negotiations were opened in 1940 and there seemed to be a faint           hope of agreement to recognition. However, Younis opponents raided his           offices early one morning and seized all the property of the National           Grand Lodge with the seals and titles to premises. They declared that,           as Younis had thrown in his lot with Grand Orient and all the Lodges           over which he ruled had done the same, there was now only one National           Grand Lodge of Egypt and Younis and all who sided with him were irregular.           Of course, neither the United Grand Lodge of England, nor the District           Grand Lodge would recognise any so-called Masonic body which had assumed           power in this way.

Soon after this, Abdel Maguid           Younis died. He was a most respected and beloved Brother who did his           best to keep Freemasonry regular. He worked solely for the benefit of           the Craft and his Egyptian Brethren but, following his death, Egyptian           Freemasonry effectively became extinguished.           English Freemasonry, however, continued until President Nasser declared           it illegal following the Suez Crisis in 1956 and it remains so today.           Freemasonry is also unacceptable to the Muslim religion and it seems           that there is little hope of a revival of the Craft in the foreseeable           future.

The District Grand           Lodge of Egypt & the Sudan

The District Grand Lodge           of Egypt and the Sudan was formed to alleviate the unhappy circumstances           in which our English Brethren in Egypt found themselves and which have           already been described in some detail.           The District Grand Lodge was formed in 1899 with Viscount Kitchener           of Khartoum as the first District Grand Master. Lord           Kitchener, who had been one of the founders of the revived Grecia Lodge,           No. 1105 in 1890 when it started working in English, was highly respected           among Freemasons. Unfortunately, his army duties prevented him from           remaining in Egypt and he was forced to resign his office in 1901.           His successor was a very worthy and distinguished Brother, General Sir           Reginald Wingate, who held the Office until 1920 when he was succeeded           by John Langley. R.W. Bro. Langley was highly respected for his work           with all the Lodges and was greatly mourned when he died in 1923.
          He was followed by Major-General Sir Lee Stack in 1924 who was brutally           assassinated on a Cairo street on 19th November 1924 before he could           exercise any of the duties of the Office. Brigadier-General C. S. Wilson           succeeded him in 1926, serving until 1933 when he died at sea.

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Ll.           H. Gwynne was Installed in 1933. He spent most of the winter season           in the Sudan and was greatly respected throughout the District. He was           very ably assisted, particularly in Egypt, by his Deputy, the Ven. Archdeacon           (later Bishop) F. F. Johnston. Bishop Gwynne returned to England in           1946, feeling that the work of the Diocese and the District were too           much for him to carry on in his advancing years. He continued his pastoral           work throughout England, especially in the Epping area where he lived,           until his death in 1957, aged 94 years.           He was succeeded by his Deputy who was the last District Grand Master           in Egypt. R.W. Bro. Johnston appointed Ven. Canon B. J. Harper (known           to all as “Uncle Harper”) as his Deputy in the Sudan and           the District flourished under these two wellrespected Brethren until           1956 when, in common with nearly all British citizens, they left Egypt,           the Bishop being one of the first to be ordered out.

As will be seen later, following           the re-establishment in London of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and Grecia Lodge,           Bishop Johnston attended almost all of their meetings and delivered           the Address to the Brethren at Installation meetings in a most delightful           manner. This continued until his sudden death in September 1963 during           the course of a sermon to the Parachute Regiment.

Before his death, realising           that the old District was limited to Lodges in the Sudan, he resigned           his Grand Mastership in favour of W. Bro. Sayed Mohamed Salih el Shangiti.           The last meeting of the District Grand Lodge under R.W. Bro. Bishop           Johnston was held in London at the Cafe Royal, Regent Street, on 27th           May 1959.           It is worth quoting R.W. Bro. el Shangiti, the new District Grand Master,           at the District Grand Lodge meeting held at the Masonic Hall, Khartoum,           on 4th February 1961: “I think it might well have been unique in the history of the           District, and possibly also in the Craft as a whole. In the first place           it so happened that the then District Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Bishop           Johnston, the Deputy District Grand Master at that time (which happened           to be myself), and the then Assistant District Grand Master (Bro. Stevenson           Drane), were all present in the District Grand Lodge together. This           was hardly ever possible before 1956 when the Deputy District Grand           Master was normally present in the Sudan and the District Grand Lodge           met at Cairo. In the second place, District Grand Lodge met by special           Dispensation of M.W. the Grand Master outside the District - a very           unusual event and possibly, as I have said, without precedent.”

R.W. Bro. Mohamed Salih           el Shangiti was Installed as District Grand Master on 4th February 1961           by R.W. Bro. the Hon. Sir Charles Tachie-Menson, District Grand Master           of Ghana. This was the first time that the Installation had taken place           in Khartoum and the first time that a native of the Sudan had risen           to such high Masonic rank.           Bro. el Shangiti, acting against medical advice, undertook the Haj (pilgrimage           to Mecca) for the second time in 1968, where he died of a heart attack.           His Deputy, R.W. Bro. Yahia Omran succeeded him and Freemasonry continued           to thrive in the Sudan under these two worthy Brethren until it was           banned by the Sudanese Government in 1970.

The Work of the           District in General

When the District was formed           in 1899, it embraced four Lodges - Bulwer Lodge of Cairo, No. 1068,           Grecia Lodge, No. 1105 and Kawkab el Sharq, No. 1355 in Cairo and Zetland,           No. 1157 in Alexandria. The Cairo Lodges met in a hall in Sharia Wagh           el Birka until October 1903 when more satisfactory premises were obtained           in an apartment in a house in Sharia Antikhana. This Temple was known           to be very beautiful and was, for many years, a memorial to the hard           work of the Brethren who devoted much time and energy to its decoration.           Further details and photographs appear under “1913” in Section           D. A fine organ was installed by Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in memory of           the visit by the Prince of Wales in 1869 when he was Grand Master.           On 8th June 1934, the Foundation Stone for a new Freemasons’ Hall,           intended to become the permanent home of the district, was laid in Sharia           Madrasseh el Fransawia. The building was completed and dedicated by           the District Grand Master on 18th May 1935. The Foundation Stone was           brought from King Solomon’s quarries in Jerusalem where it was           prepared. The customary mementoes were cemented with it and it bore           the following inscription:           June 8th, 1934.

This Foundation Stone was           laid by Rt. Wor. Bro. Bishop Ll. H. Gwynne, C.M.G., C.B.E., D.D., LL.D.,           District Grand Master of Egypt and the Sudan.           The Brethren of the District were always very generous in supporting           worthy causes. District Stewards were appointed annually to collect           for the Festivals of the three Institutions and the Hospital. It is           pleasing to note that the 1952 Yearbook of the Royal Masonic Institute           for Girls states that the District of Egypt and the Sudan had sent up           the highest lists for eight out of the previous ten years.           Unfortunately, this high standard was impossible to maintain due to           the disruption caused by the political disturbances of 1952. These led           to interruptions in the working of Lodges and the departure from Egypt           of many Brethren. However, up to this time, many Lodges and Brethren           had qualified as Patrons, etc., of the Institutions and the District           had named a ward in the Royal Masonic Hospital.

The Victoria (Deaconesses)           Hospital

In 1924, £1,0000 was           raised by the District to endow a bed in the Victoria (Deaconesses)           Hospital in Sharia Abdel Khalek Sarwat Pasha, Cairo. The bed was named           after the late Sir Lee Stack and a commemorative tablet was unveiled           in the entrance hall.           The bed was available for any Brother, being a subscribing Member of           any Lodge under the jurisdiction of the District, and his wife and children.           It proved invaluable in many cases of extreme misfortune.           Various entertainments were organised to assist in collecting these           funds and in 1928, “Are you a Mason?” was produced at the           Opera House. Two years later, “The Admirable Crichton” was           produced at the Ramses Theatre. Both productions were outstanding successes.

Kindred Grand Lodges

Close on the heels of the           establishment of English Freemasonry came Scottish and Irish Brethren.           A number of Scottish Lodges were formed in Cairo and Alexandria between           1884 and 1930. These led to the formation of two Royal Arch Chapters           under the Scottish Constitution.           Whilst there were no permanent Irish Lodges, two travelling military           Lodges found a home in the District during the First World War. Waterloo           Lodge, No. 571 departed in 1918 and Leswarree Lodge, No. 646 stayed           until the beginning of the Second World War, when many of its members           left Cairo to become part of the Eighth Army in the desert.           In both World Wars, Freemasonry in Egypt was greatly enriched by Brethren           from Australia and New Zealand. The “Anzacs” played an active           role and those from the First War showed their appreciation of their           welcome by leaving a testimonial tablet, later fixed to the wall of           the new Freemasons’ Hall. During the Second World War, relationships           with the Australian and New Zealand Brethren were even closer, with           many joining English Lodges in Egypt.

Also during the Second World           War, the premises of the Grand Lodge of Greece were taken over by the           Gestapo (the Nazis banned Freemasonry), so the Greek Lodges in Egypt           had no central authority to which they could report. United Grand Lodge           of England instructed the District to offer all the help they could,           resulting in close ties and the sharing of premises with our Greek Brethren.

It is through this friendly           and fraternal action that much of our property was saved in 1956. This           was especially due to the untiring work of W. Bro. C. B. Stavrou, who           later joined Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1962. He rose to Senior Warden           in Star of the East Lodge No. 1355 and was rewarded for his work with           District Grand Rank.

The Other English Lodges           in Egypt Bulwer Lodge of Cairo was often described as the premier Lodge           in Egypt and a detailed history of the Lodge appears elsewhere. It is,           however, only proper to give an outline of the other Lodges which worked           in English. Of these, only Grecia Lodge, No. 1105 survived the Suez           crisis and successfully re-established itself in London, where it continues           to this day. Grecia Lodge is always referred to as a “daughter           lodge” of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo, despite its Greek origins. It           is for this reason and the closeness of the ties between the two Lodges           that its history is covered here in some detail. Grecia Lodge, No. 1105           Grecia Lodge Warrant is dated 31st March 1866 and it was the second           oldest lodge working under the United Grand Lodge of England in Egypt.           It was originally Hellas Lodge” and worked in Greek, in which           language the earliest minutes were kept.

It is believed that, during           the political unrest from 1885 to 1889, “clandestine” meetings           were held which kept the members together. Although it is understood           that records were kept of these meetings, like those of Bulwer Lodge           of Cairo, all minutes and papers, including the Warrant and regalia,           were destroyed in the fire of 16th October 1895.           In 1889, as soon as it was safe, open meetings recommenced and, at the           meeting held on 11th February 1890, eleven members of Bulwer Lodge joined           Grecia Lodge: R. Borg, J. Wilson Bey, O. G. Wood, E. Enselm, A. A. Mortimer,           H. M. Crookshank Pasha, H. H. Kitchener Pasha, E. A. Vivian, Charles           Baker Pasha, J. L. Rees and J. C. E. Mansfield. H. H. Kitchener became,           of course, Earl Kitchener of Khartoum.

The next meeting, on 8th           March 1890, was the first time that English names appeared in the attendance           book. At that same meeting, it was resolved that, as the majority of           members were English, the Lodge should, in future, work in English.           As a result, on this unique occasion, the Lodge was opened in Greek           and closed in English.           As a guide to the prominence of Grecia Lodge, of the seven District           Grand Masters of Egypt and the Sudan between 1899 and 1960, no fewer           than five were Past Masters of Grecia Lodge and a sixth was a Past Master           in the Lodge. They were:

Worshipful Master           District Grand Master

Earl Kitchener of Khartoum           1892 1899           Sir Reginald Wingate 1893 1900 - 1920           John Langley CBE 1897 1921 - 1923           Sir Lee Stack 1924           Brig. General C. S. Wilson 1920 1926 - 1932           Rt. Rev. Bishop Ll. L. Gwynne 1932 1933 - 1945

Although only an Honorary           Member, the seventh District Grand Master, Rt. Rev. Bishop F. F. Johnston           (1946 - 1960), seldom missed a meeting of the Lodge in Egypt and attended           practically all the meetings in England up to his death in 1963.           During the later years of the 19th century, the Lodge went from strength           to strength and was of great help to overseas Brethren serving with           the Allied forces in Egypt in both World Wars. During the 1939 - 1945           War, the Lodge was on at least one occasion handed over to New Zealand           Brethren who provided the Officers for the evening and carried out the           ceremony in the New Zealand Working. Indeed, Bro. F. Prideaux, Worshipful           Master of Grecia Lodge in 1944, became Grand Master of New Zealand in           1966.

After the 1952 revolution,           membership of all Lodges in Egypt dwindled but Grecia still had 28 active           members when it was forced to suspend activities in 1956. At that time,           it is believed that the minutes of the Lodge were intact, apart from           the years 1872 to 1877 which were destroyed in the fire. These records           were sequestered and are unlikely to ever be recovered.

Members of the Lodge in           1956 were determined to re-establish it and regular meetings were held           under Dispensation until the Warrant, retrieved by W. Bro. L. E. Thirkettle,           was transferred to London by the United Grand Lodge of England on 1st           December 1961.           The Lodge survived the transition from Egypt to London where, in common           with Bulwer Lodge of Cairo, it set up home at the Dominions Hotel, Lancaster           Gate. It, too, is not blessed with a large membership, but it still           maintains the Masonic traditions of its time in Egypt.
Zetland Lodge, No. 1157

Zetland Lodge was founded           in Alexandria on a Warrant dated 5th March 1867. It held a record for           working without interruption from its foundation until 1956, and did           not suspend its meetings during the 1882 uprising.           It worked under the immediate jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge           of England, from which it obtained its Warrant, except for a brief period           during the existence of the District Grand Lodge of Egypt, until the           District Grand Lodge of Egypt and Sudan was formed in 1899.

Whilst never large, Zetland           Lodge had a number of prominent people amongst its members, including           Sir George Melville           and Moberley Bell, the distinguished correspondent for “The Times”.            It owned an irreplaceable collection of fine silver replicas of the           crests of ships which visited Alexandria and stayed long enough for           Masonic crew members to visit. The collection, displayed on the walls           of the New Masonic Hall at 1 Rue Toussoun Pasha, was lost in 1956.

For some time after 1882,           the Lodge worked under great difficulty with little opportunity for           expansion. However, a loyal core of Brethren held together, working           and hoping for better times. With the accession to the Chair of W. Bro.           Percy Smith in 1902, the good times finally arrived with a time of rapid           expansion which was sustained until the end.           Like other Lodges in the District, Zetland Lodge moved several times           during its existence but was unable to survive following the Suez crisis.           Zetland Lodge No. 1157 was erased from the Roll of Grand Lodge on 8th           December 1965.

Star of the East           Lodge, No. 1355

Star of the East Lodge was           the fourth oldest Lodge in Egypt, having been founded in 1871. It was           originally founded by some native Egyptian members of Bulwer Lodge of           Cairo who wanted a Lodge to work under the English Constitution in Arabic           and exclusively for non-Europeans and was founded with the Arabic name           of Kawkab el Sharq. A Warrant was obtained exclusively for this purpose.           In its time as an Arabic Lodge, it had some very distinguished Masters,           including Idris Bey Ragheb in 1890 who became           Grand Master of the Egyptian Grand Lodge. It was, at the time, a very           opulent Lodge which held lavish and largely attended Installation banquets,           all paid for out of accumulated Lodge funds.

In about 1906, the Lodge           started to admit non-Egyptians as joining members and a prominent Freemason,           W. Bro. Delanoy, was the first European to be admitted. Another distinguished           Freemason, Bro. Garofalo, for many years Grand Secretary of the National           Grand Lodge of Egypt, was the first European to be elected Master in           1907. All the Lodge records prior to 1907 are believed burned or lost.

The Lodge worked in Arabic           until 1908 when declining membership led to the transition to an English           speaking Lodge and a return to being successful, this change being sanctioned           by the M.W. the Grand Master.           W. Bro F. A. Hogg, Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1940,           was secretary in 1956 and undertook most of the work involved in closing           down the Lodge. The remaining work was carried out by W. Bro H. Millar,           Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1969 and 1970. Star of           the East Lodge, like Zetland Lodge, was erased from the Roll of Grand           Lodge on 8th December 1965.

Pelusium Lodge,           No. 3003

Pelusium Lodge was founded           in Port Said on 31st March 1904 on a Warrant dated 1st October 1903.           It was formed especially for the Brethren of Port Said engaged in shipping           or coaling and was very well known to Brethren passing through the Suez           Canal.

The Lodge always had a very           keen and energetic membership, even to the extent of building its own           Masonic Hall, the loss of which was a severe blow to its members and           many visitors. The Hall had always been considered a centre of peace           and harmony where the noise and other unpleasant influences of a busy           port could be shut out.           Despite a great deal of effort to establish the Lodge in London after           1956, including a series of meetings to discuss alternatives, no solution           was found. Grand Lodge Proceedings of 14th September 1966 concluded           that, whilst the Egyptian affairs of this Lodge had not been concluded,           Trustees had been empowered by deed to arrange this and Pelusium Lodge           was removed from the Roll on that date.

Delta Lodge, No.           3060

Delta Lodge, as its name           implies, was founded to meet the needs of Brethren in the Nile Delta.           The Lodge met at Tanta under a Warrant dated 8th July 1908 and was Consecrated           by the District Grand Master, Sir Reginald Wingate, on 19th November           1904.

Its Founding Master was           W. Bro. J. Inglis of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo.           Its membership, never large, consisted mainly of officials of the Delta           Light Railway, the Egyptian Markets and teachers from the Tanta schools.           Being situated so far from the main cities, it rarely had many visitors           and, when the British railway officials were dismissed from Government           service, had difficulty in finding sufficient numbers for its meetings.

It inadvertently became           involved in the “Masonic Politics” of the day, with the           Grand Lodge of Egypt being apparently jealous of its influence. Meetings           with officials from the Grand Lodge of Egypt came to no avail, so the           United Grand Lodge of England was approached. The outcome is unknown,           but, as the Lodge continued working, it must have been successful.           Despite its ongoing difficulty in sustaining numbers, Delta Lodge continued           to work until it was eventually erased from the Roll of Lodges on 3rd           March 1948, having not met since 1941.

Lotus Lodge, No.           3296

In 1907, several well known           Brethren thought that there was room in the rapidly growing city of           Cairo for another purely civilian English Lodge. (At this time, Bulwer           Lodge of Cairo was considered semi-military and Grecia was the only           civilian Lodge.)
          A petition was raised by W. Hayes (Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge           of Cairo in 1906), T. H. Hornstein, W. C. Fletcher and others, and a           Warrant was granted on 1st April 1908. The Lodge was Consecrated on           28th May at Maison Bonello by the Deputy District Grand Master, W. Bro.           Keatinge.           The Lodge was always popular and made charitable work its special feature.           It held a number of functions, including Charity Balls to raise funds           for both Masonic and non-Masonic charities. Its main distinction was,           however, in starting the system of District Stewards for the Masonic           Charities, by which means much larger sums were raised for the Institutors.           Lotus Lodge was erased on 8th December 1965 having, like so many, failed           to make a successful move to England.

Ataka Lodge, No.           3367

Ataka Lodge was founded           and Consecrated on 21st May 1909 by a Warrant dated 15th March. It consisted           largely of officials of the shipping and oil industries working in Suez           and on the canal.           The Lodge was highly successful and many of its members held prominent           positions in the District until its closure in 1956.           Some of its members joined Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and also held senior           positions in Bulwer Chapter and did sterling work in its revival in           London. On the final closure of the books of the Lodge, the committee           presented a beautifully tooled leather Warrant case to Bulwer Chapter.           Thus, the name of the Lodge, being inscribed thereon, will ensure that           the memory of Ataka Lodge will live on.

The Lord Kitchener           Lodge, No. 3402

The Lodge was formed to           meet the requirements of Military and Naval Brethren in Egypt in 1909.           The only Lodge available at that time to a “Service Brother”            was United Service Lodge under the Egyptian Constitution and Masonic           Rank issued by this Lodge was not recognised by the English, Scottish           or Irish Constitutions. The Lodge was Consecrated on 17th November 1909           under a Warrant granted on 9th September.

A Lodge Bye-Law stated that           the office of Worshipful Master should be held alternately by commissioned           and noncommissioned officers and the other offices should, as far as           possible, be divided equally.           The Lodge was a great success from the beginning and was noted for its           smart ceremonial, derived from its military background.

Until 1947, it met in Cairo,           but when Military Headquarters moved to the Suez Canal, it moved to           a military hut in Moascar. After the revolution, the Lodge moved to           Cyprus in 1955 where it meets to this day in Dhekalia.           Ionic Lodge, No. 3997 Ionic Lodge was formed by members of Idris and           Corinthian Lodges, both under the Egyptian Constitution. During the           chaos following the collapse of control by Idris Bey Ragheb (see section           on Freemasonry in Egypt), a number of Brethren asked the United Grand           Lodge of England if they could transfer to the English constitution           and come under the District Grand Lodge. Some members of both Idris           and Corinthian joined Lodges in the District so that they would qualify           to apply for a Charter and a Warrant was granted on 3rd September 1919.           Founders included C. W. Binet-Summers and N. M. Mishellany and, Worshipful           Masters of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1914           and 1920 respectively. Other prominent members from Bulwer Lodge of           Cairo include D. W. Gee, M. Silverman, J. E. M.           Brunskill (Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1929 and 1951),           J. Lawrence and C. G .Bayles (Worshipful Masters of Bulwer Lodge of           Cairo in 1919 and 1946 respectively).

Whilst in the early years           the Lodge consisted mainly of Egyptian Government officials, when they           were dismissed in 1952 their places were taken by members working for           B.O.A.C. In 1956, they became scattered over the face of the earth.           As a result, meetings became impossible and the Lodge was erased on           8th December 1965.

Alexandria Lodge           No. 4184

The Alexandria Lodge No.           4184 was consecrated on 24th February 1921 on a Warrant dated 3rd November           1920. The earliest members were generally members of other Egyptian           Lodges, tired of the confusion and irregularities of Idris Bey Ragheb.           Many were connected to the cotton trade and were very well off.           The Lodge, like all those in Alexandria, met at the Masonic Hall at           No. 1 Rue Toussoun Pasha, which was the centre of           Masonic life in the city. A club was established at the hall and run           as a successful business venture. All Masons belonging to local English           and Scottish Lodges were members and they met here “out of Masonic           hours” for ordinary club activities, billiards and refreshments.

A prominent member of the           Lodge was W. Bro. J. G. Blyth, Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge of           Cairo in 1922. He           remained in Alexandria after the Suez Crisis and tried in vain to save           Masonic property. The temple was ransacked and the regalia destroyed           and referred to in an anti-Masonic journal (Akher Sa) as objects appertaining           to espionage and Zionism”. The Lodge was erased from the Roll of Grand Lodge on 3rd June 1955,           owing to changed conditions after the 1952 political disturbances.

The United Service           Lodge of Alexandria, No. 4571

The Warrant for this Lodge           was issued on 17th September 1923 and the Lodge was Consecrated on 14th           November by the Deputy District Grand Master, W. Bro. W. Delanoy. Its           first Master was G. T. Bray, who joined Bulwer Lodge of Cairo in 1905.

Like Alexandria Lodge, No.           4184, the Lodge met at the Masonic Hall, Rue Toussoun Pasha and was           very popular with           visitors to the “northern capital of Egypt and the crews of ships           calling there. From the outset, it was a very successful Lodge.

As with the other Alexandria           Lodges, The United Service Lodge lost everything in the Masonic Hall           in 1956 and, as its           members became dispersed, it was unable to set up again in England.           It was erased from the Roll on 8th December 1965.
Serapeum Lodge, No. 5312

Serapeum Lodge was set up           in Ismailia to serve Brethren at the halfway point of the Canal. Many           members were the pilots who guided ships through the Canal and found           it easier to attend meetings near the laying-up points than in the great           cities at either end.           The Warrant was dated 8th September 1931 and the Lodge was Consecrated           on 30th October. The name was taken from a village of that name about           two miles from Ismailia. This, in turn, was dedicated in Ptolemaic days           to the worship of Serapis, the new God of Healing introduced into the           Greek culture. One of the founders, F. A. Hogg, was a prominent member           of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and was its Worshipful Master in 1940.

The Second World War took           a heavy toll on the Lodge, with many members leaving for military or           naval service. Meetings became more and more difficult to hold and,           on 25th March 1949, W. Bro. A. E. Snowling wrote to the District Grand           Lodge proposing to close the Lodge “as it appears that the old           members would not be returning to Ismailia”. This was accepted           at the meeting of District Grand Lodge on 25th November 1949 when the           President of the District Board of General Purposes stated that resuscitation           of the Lodge seemed to be impossible and the Warrant was returned.           It is believed that some members who had returned to the U.K. tried           to revive the Lodge in Manchester under a different name.           Correspondence took place with the Province of Lancashire but the outcome           is not known.

Other Masonic Orders

It is not intended to go           into detail about other orders as this is basically a history of Bulwer           Lodge of Cairo and its place in Craft Freemasonry. However, a brief           mention of the other orders follows.

Royal Arch Chapters

Many Lodges in Egypt had           Royal Arch Chapters attached to them. As we know, Bulwer Chapter survived           the move to London although the name was changed to Grecia Chapter when           the Lodge left London for Buckinghamshire. Bulwer Chapter was Consecrated           in 1886 and its first M.E.Z. was E. Comp. R. Spence, although there           is no record of his being a member of the Lodge.

Of interest, the already           much-mentioned Idris Bey Ragheb occupied the Z. Chair in 1894.           Zetland Chapter was Consecrated in 1880, only 13 years after the Lodge           was founded. Despite a great deal of hard work, it suffered from the           same shortage of members as the Lodge, failed to re-establish in London           and was eventually erased on 9th February 1966.

Whilst Bulwer Chapter was           the accepted” Royal Arch “ home” for members of Bulwer           Lodge of Cairo, Ionic and other Lodges near Cairo, members of Star of           the East Lodge and Grecia Lodge were generally exalted into Star of           the East Chapter. Its Warrant was issued on 5th June 1891, the first           M.E.Z. being Idris Bey Ragheb. Like the Lodge to which it was attached,           this Chapter failed to move to England, and many Companions subsequently           joined Bulwer Chapter.

Pelusium Chapter was Consecrated           on 24th November 1911 on a Warrant dated 2nd August 1911. It was set           up to provide a wider field of activity for the closely knit brethren           of Pelusium Lodge in Port Said. Like the Lodge, it failed to move to           England in 1956 and was erased from the records. Serapeum Chapter was           Consecrated on 28th January 1937, but despite being founded by some           of the most eminent Freemasons of the time, it fell on hard times and           was erased on 1st August 1949.

Mark Master Masons           & Royal Ark Mariners

Three Mark Master Masons           Lodges existed in Egypt under the District Grand Lodge of North Africa           of Mark Master Masons and Royal Ark Mariners. Only one Royal Ark Mariners           Lodge was founded.           The Egypt Mark Lodge No. 311 opened in 1882 in Cairo. Many of its Masters           were prominent members of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo. The Nubia Mark Lodge           No. 511 was founded in 1897 and met in Cairo until 1906, when it moved           to Alexandria. The Friendship Mark Lodge, also founded in Cairo, was           Consecrated in 1900. Once again, distinguished members of The Bulwer           Lodge of Cairo were associated with this Lodge.           The Royal Ark Mariners Lodge of Egypt No. 311 is the only one ever formed           in Egypt. It was consecrated on 29th March 1888.           None of these Lodges survived the upheavals of 1956.

Freemasonry     in Egypt scanned document (PDF)

Freemasonry in Egypt     The Early Years 1865 - 1899 (PDF)

Freemasonry in Egypt, March 1930

By BRO. ROBERT C. WRIGHT, Oregon

OUR estimable Grand Secretary,           Bro. D. R. Cheney, receives many communications and pamphlets in several           different foreign languages. Not being adept in them, he has for some           years past enlisted the writer's assistance to translate important matters.

Last summer he informed           the writer that he had heard of some trouble in the Grand Lodge in Egypt,           and asked for examination and report of what was in a copy of its 1928           proceedings, which he furnished. This pamphlet turned out to be partly           in Syrian and partly in French. A brief report was furnished to the           Grand Secretary for his files. Discovering the name of our Grand Secretary           mentioned in Syrian, because he had sent them his photograph, a copy           of his name was sent to him. He said it looked easy but was hard to           write, so he gave up using it officially.

Believing that something           about Egyptian Masonry and their dissension might interest others, this           article has been prepared. The proceedings mentioned contain much detail           of the unfortunate events. Therefore only a summary of this will be           given and a little space taken in addition to tell of the splendid humanitarian           work carried on by that Grand Lodge.

Sometime in 1900 or 1901,           Abd el Meguid Youne was Grand Secretary of the National Grand Lodge           of Egypt. During that time Prince Mohammed Aly, brother of the ex-khedive,           was initiated but held no office. Youne and some colleagues conspired           with the Prince virtually to capture the Grand Lodge, and to amend its           constitution or by-laws to allow the election of the Prince as Grand           Master. Youne and the Prince were both well known in foreign jurisdictions.           The official signature of the former was very familiar.

In 1901 an attempt was made           to carry out their plans. This brought a strong reproof from Idris Ragheb,           then Grand Master, who obtained from the Prince a letter dated April           6, 1901, written on Grand Lodge stationery, signed by Mohammed Aly and           endorsed by Idris as witness. Therein the Prince acknowledged fidelity           to his Masonic obligations, and promised obedience to the laws and rules           of the National Grand Lodge, which he thereby also recognized. A photo           print of this letter is published, showing the original signatures.

Evidently Youne and his           fellow conspirators were not done. They wanted the prestige of the Prince,           and the latter's conceit was so flattered that he was willing to join           them and become a party to these iniquitous schemes. Thus the disturbances           were continued until 1922, when the Prince was in it personally.

In the summer of 1922 some           brethren who were not in good standing, and lodges suspended for cause,           combined to petition for a change of the laws in order to make the Prince           eligible as Grand Master. It appears a Grand Master was to be elected           later, and this was the time when they proposed to act. The Prince agreed           to be a candidate. He had never been warden or master, not even what           they term an "active member" of a lodge, and according to           the constitution was ineligible.

Idris Ragheb was again Grand           Master that year. After a perusal, he issued a decree denying the petition,           and cited laws forbidding its allowance. The dissident group then sought           to arrange matters by making the Prince an active member of Lodge "The           Nile." The Grand Master responded by giving that lodge a certain           time to rescind its irregular action. It refused to do so and its charter           was suspended, and some members of other lodges who were involved in           promoting the action were also suspended. The Prince was disciplined           on the ground of his ignorance of Masonic law, and that he was supposed           to have acted in good faith.

The suspended members organized           to go to the Grand Lodge meeting of September 28, 1922, to carry out           their schemes. They appeared in force, invaded the Grand Master's office           and demanded their reinstatement. To restore quiet he said those qualified           as delegates could take part in the work. After inquiry from the chair           as to whether all present were lawfully there, he began the session.           Immediately a demand was made to change the laws to allow the candidacy           of the Prince. The Grand Master ruled it out of order and refused any           debate. The revolting group persisted in discussion and caused a tumult           and confusion. To safeguard the dignity of Masonry, the Grand Master           was obliged to close the Grand Lodge, which was done in form, the election           being postponed to a later date to be announced. The officers then left           the room.

Thereupon an assistant deputy           Grand Master, Taha Ibrahim, seized the gavel and caused those present           to proceed with the election. The Prince was declared elected Grand           Master by acclamation.

The following day Grand           Master Idris Ragheb and brethren went to the temple in the morning,           as was customary, but the rebellious group, assisted by profane, roughly           refused them admittance. On October 3 the Grand Lodge met again and           re-elected Idris Ragheb, and elected other officers, including Mohammed           Rifaat as Grand Secretary, who is still in that office. Since then,           however, Sayed Aly has been elected Grand Master and was in office when           the proceedings were published.

Youne took the records,           seals and archives and used them to send out communications in the name           of the schismatic party, under the name of the Grand Lodge. They took           possession of furniture and personal property, which they were later           forced to return by court proceedings.

Prince Mohammed also had           the audacity to pretend to be Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish           Rite. This brought forth a decree on March 20,1925, from Mohammed Heddaya,           the real Sovereign Grand Commander, suspending the Prince and depriving           him of all his rights and privileges. It would appear that he is still           suspended and persona non grata.

The conduct of Youne, and           the lack of information, has caused confusion in foreign jurisdictions.           The Grand Lodge of Montana in 1927 returned to the rightful Egyptian           Grand Lodge the appointment certificate of a Grand Representative. Later           learning of the mistake, an apology was made, accompanied by a request           that the certificate be returned to them. This shows the result brought           about by such unfortunate troubles, which are not to be overcome for           years.

All through this lengthy           period the Grand Lodge not only had to deal with the fraud and misrepresentations           of Youne and his associates, in deceiving well-disposed persons in Egypt,           and seriously interfering with domestic Masonic activities, but it was           continually annoyed by these acts carried on in foreign jurisdictions.           In June, 1926, they took advantage of the visit in Egypt of Bro. John           Er. Cowles, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction,           A. & A. S. R. They appealed to him to make a careful investigation           of official documents. This he did and delivered to them a certificate           stating that he found the regular and recognized Grand Lodge is the           one of which Ferik Sayed Aly was then the Grand Master. This was deposited           in its archives, and later an article relating this was published in           The New Age.

In spite of these exasperating           occurrences, the Grand Lodge shows it is not revengeful. It states in           the 1928 proceedings, forgetting the evils caused by the dissidents,           it has charitably opened its doors. More than once has it offered them           its hand in the hope Masonry would pardon them upon repenting. In recalling           to the sheep-fold these misguided brothers, the Grand Lodge would rejoice           in their presence, regretfully broken since their departure. This noble           sentiment rings clear and true. The Grand Officers are men of high reputation           and occupy responsible government and civil positions.

Now what has this harassed           Grand Body done for humanity? The National Grand Lodge of Egypt has           founded an orphanage. Poor lads from seven to twelve are accepted, regardless           of their religion. They receive school instruction and are taught trades.           There are illustrations showing the boys in comfortable surroundings,           being instructed in carpentry, chairmaking, weaving rugs, printing,           etc. It is intended to use land about the buildings for a course in           agriculture. One illustration shows a real lively band in uniform and           with modern instruments, led by their adult instructor. King Fuad I           gave this orphanage a liberal donation and is friendly to Masonry, although           probably not a member of the Order.

The Grand Lodge has also           taken great interest in education. It has a strong desire to eliminate           ignorance in its native country. Promoting this object they founded           and carry on the "Wadinnil" primary school. They found a demand           for secondary or advanced grades, of which many children were deprived           in the state schools for lack of accommodation. They met this need by           organizing a secondary school. Boys and girls are admitted in both schools           and the illustrations show a contented and happy lot of teachers and           pupils.

Thus Masonry is doing its           duty for little brothers and sisters in Egypt, just as we aim to do           in our great and powerful country. It proves that Masonry is universal,           knows but one Supreme Architect, and recognizes no political boundaries           in its good works. When the true and noble realm of the brotherhood           of man is recognized, a clear vision discovers there no battleships,           no poison gases. That vision believes in what an Italian proverb says,           " with the dawn of every day, a happiness." Let that be the           unceasing work inherited from the Tyrian Grand Master, whose monument           our real masters never have been forgotten - never shall forget.

Since preparing the preceding           article the writer's attention is directed to the 1929 Foreign Correspondence           Report of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, covering Egypt for 1927. It           is only fair to my readers that the claims of the opposition be stated.           The only present source available is that mentioned, the writer not           having the original proceedings in hand.

Prince Mohammed Aly appears           as Grand Master of the schismatic body, and in his address of 1927 states           that their foreign affairs are "marvelously good." Grand Officers           of New York visited them. Following this are statistics relating to           what they label "The National Grand Lodge of Egypt." There           are seventy-five lodges, working in Greek, Arab, Hebrew, French and           English, "approximately 6,000 members." It is asserted that           the Grand Lodge, of which M.W. Bro. His Highness Prince Mohammed Aly           is Grand Master, is the lawful continuation of the National Grand Lodge           of Egypt, of which M.W.Bro. Idris Bey Ragheb was Grand Master for thirty-five           years. The schism dates from 1922, when a majority, wanting a change,           elected the Prince by a large vote. Idris left with a minority, and           under this aged leader they continued to function under the official           title. The courts decided against this organization in "several           actions" which were instituted. In 1924-25, ninety-eight old members           "returned" to this organization. It is recognized by forty-five           Grand Jurisdictions, among them England, Ireland, Scotland and "several"           Canadian, Australian and United States Grand Lodges. Mohammed Aly and           Younis are Grand Master and Grand Secretary.

The account of the meeting           Sept. 28, 1922, is recited as above, except it is said that there was           a dispute about constitutional qualifications for Grand Master, and           the Grand Treasurer asked that it be submitted to vote. ldris, refusing           this, vacated the chair "sor a moment," returned, disposed           of a few matters, left with his Deputy Grand Master and seventeen members,           taking home with him, "so it is reported, " the great seal           and important registers of the Grand Lodge.

Then election took place           and the Prince was declared elected by overwhelming vote. Idris formed           his own organization and used the Scottish Rite to defeat his opponents,           which prevented healing of the breach.

The Connecticut writer remarks           in his review as follows:

It is regretted that a small           fraction of members endeavor to function as schismatic Grand Lodge,           headed by a deposed Grand Master. There is some surface evidence that           they are encouraged by certain U.S. Scottish Rite influences.. This           has caused inadvertent errors on the part of some U.S. Grand Secretaries,           the writer among them, who wrongly listed in 1928 proceedings Mohammed           Rifaat as Grand Secretary. The legitimate Grand Secretary is Abdul Meguid           Younis. Prince Mohammed Aly continues as Grand Master.

The present writer regrets           that he has not access to the original 1927 text that the good Connecticut           brother reviewed, also that this brother did not have the 1928 answer           of the other body hereinbefore reviewed. It might have altered his judicial           opinion of who are the legitimate Egyptian Grand officers, and also           as to Scottish Rite interference.

It is appropriate, however,           to mention a few other things for the better guidance of American Freemasonry.           The 1928 proceedings evidently try to answer the accusations with great           length and care. The exact text of parts of the constitution involved           is set out.

Art. 29. No brother can           be elected Grand Master if he is not an active and contributing member           of a constituent lodge of the National Grand Lodge of Egypt, and unless           he has filled the office of Grand Warden.

The amendment petitioned           for was:

A prince of the royal family           having the degree of Master may be elected Grand Master, setting aside           the conditions required by Art. 29

The "aged" Grand           Master directed attention to other articles, which forbade receiving           any proposition contrary to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry.           That the petition modifying Art. 29 was solely in favor of a member           of the royal family, and manifestly opposed to the principle of equality,           a basis of our Order. That the decree of the Grand Master was legal           on this fact.

Furthermore he sets out           Art. 49, that all amendments must be submitted to the Permanent Committee           one month before meeting of the Grand Lodge which is to consider them.           That statutes cannot be altered except by a majority of not less than           three-fourths of the members of the Grand Lodge. Also that no proposition           for amendment can be considered unless in writing, signed and supported           by one- third of the members present at the Grand Lodge. The petitioners           ignored the Permanent (i.e. Standing) Committee. The Grand Lodge had           408 members, the petition had 110, a protest had 144.

In 1928 we find that Taha           Ibrahim is member of a standing committee, having evidently regretted           his part in that disorderly proceeding. "Al Nil" Lodge, No.           243, is on the list and appears in good standing again.

Sayed Aly, Grand Master,           is a Division General, and Secretary to the Minister of War and Marine;           other Grand Lodge Officers hold notable positions under the government,           and are evidently dignified and respected citizens.

The roster shows actual           names and addresses of 103 lodges and officers. There are 71 Arab, 11           French, 9 Greek, 6 Italian, 4 Armenian, 1 Russian, 1 Turkish.

In the disorderly meeting,           a Bro. Bryant was a leader of the petitioners. No English lodge is on           this list, and the Prince's organization seems to have them. It leads           to a suspicion of some political quarrel having brought on the strife.           This may have led to recognition by English Grand Lodges. How, ever           that may be, Idris appears to have presented a very strong ease on both           facts and law, in favor of the lodge he represents.

In the foreign section they           name a number of U.S. Grand Lodges, a large number of European and South           American, New Zealand, the Scottish Rite Northern and Southern of U.           S. and of Canada, as all recognizing that body.

The Prince's body does not           seem to show any Masonic charity work, or any answer whatever to the           constitutional questions distinctly involved in proper upholding of           that organization. It is certainly not clear how the constitution was           amended to make the Prince lawful Grand Master. There is no assertion           on his part that the text stated by Idris, or the amending petition           are incorrectly quoted. Nor any explanation by him how the constitution           was law fully changed to qualify him a Grand Master. No explanation           or denial of his letter is referred to. The Grand Lodges of America           would do well to call for complete translation of the Egyptian constitution,           and a complete statement, with proper exhibits, in behalf of the Prince,           as to changes which make him Grand Master or his organization legal.

It should be kept in mind           his body claims to continue from the admittedly legal one, of which           Idris was Grand Master, therefore the succession must be proved to be           legal Grand Lodges would then be in better position judicially to decide           which is the lawful body in Egypt than to have the Prince, or some Prince's           ghost writer, settle it for them.

NOTE

The 1927 report of the Prince           Aly organization gives seventy five lodges as adhering to it. The Annuaire           published by the International Masonic Association, lists seventy-seven.           These are grouped by localities, and apparently retain their original           numbers. The lowest number is 37, and the highest is 278. Al Nil, No           243, mentioned in the article, appears on this list so that it has evidently           returned to the allegiance of the other Grand Lodge since this list           was compiled.

It is evident that the group           headed by Prince Aly has had a "better press" than its rival.           The Annuaire has no information to offer about the latter except the           names of the Grand Master his Deputy, and the Grand Treasurer and the           Grand Secretary. It offers no opinion as to the rights and wrongs of           the Schism. - Ed.

 

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