The Masons and the Moors
BY MEHMET SABEHEDDIN
The origins of Freemasonry – as would be expected of such
a "venerable secret society" – are shrouded in myth, legend and
almost impenetrable obscurity. Since at least the late 18th century
Masonic writers have sought to establish a link between the Knights
Templar and the Freemasons. Freemasonic lore and symbols have been
traced to ancient Egypt and Phoenicia. Yet, despite all the books and
articles exploring Freemasonry published over the last hundred years,
there is one area that has not received attention. It concerns
Freemasonry's debt to Islamic mysticism and a shadowy tradition
connecting the Masons with the Moors of North Africa.

Moorish Science

The involvement of Freemasons in the establishment of the
United States of America is well documented. In fact Masons featured
so prominently in drafting the American Declaration of Independence
that many people believed it a thoroughly `Masonic project'. Not only
Georg