A SULTAN IN THE GRIP OF THE MASONS: MURAD V

Freemasonry is undoubtedly one of the institutions most debated in recent centuries. It claims to serve lofty aims such as world peace, the brotherhood of people regardless of religion and race, and social solidarity. However, the general opinion among the public is that Freemasonry is a secret organization established to serve Zionism, in other words, Jewish world domination. Admission to the club takes place through very interesting rituals. The members are taken to the center blindfolded and, after their loyalty is tested, are made to swear an oath upon the holy book. Ceremonial garments and symbols are used. These practices have also produced a general sense of unease toward the Masons. Who knows, perhaps this is also the society’s wish. Behind all the events of recent centuries, Freemasonry has been sought; and it has been observed with astonishment that the key figures in power in every country were Masons.

The Knights Templar

There are those who trace the origin of the society back to the Knights Templar established during the Crusades to protect the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem against the Muslims. As this order gradually grew powerful and became a state within a state, it was excommunicated by the Pope, and its members were punished by being burned by King Philippe of France. According to tradition, the order, which continued secretly in Scotland, reappeared on the stage of history as Freemasonry. With the French Revolution it took revenge on the kings of France; and with the Italian revolution, on the Papacy. Books such as The Da Vinci Code deal with this connection.

Masonic philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Montesquieu created a movement of liberty. For the restriction of the powers of monarchs would prepare the ground for Masonic activities to be carried out freely. Indeed, most of the leading figures of the French Revolution such as Marquis de Lafayette, Georges Danton, and Comte de Mirabeau; one third of those who founded the United States of America; and most of those who carried out the communist revolution in Russia were Masons. The Masons declare this with pride. The Italian and Greek revolutionaries were also Masons. The Masons sometimes operate in two groups that are rivals to one another, namely Scottish and French Freemasonry.

Freemasonry in the Ottoman Land

Said Çelebi, the son and kethüda (steward) of Yirmisekiz Çelebi Mehmed Efendi, who went to Paris as the Ottoman ambassador in 1721, is regarded as the first Turk to become a Mason. The first lodge was opened in Galata in 1723; then in Aleppo in 1747, and in Izmir in 1760. When Sultan Mahmud II banned Freemasonry, seeing it as connected with the Janissaries and the Bektashis, the club continued its activities clandestinely. It was organized in the form of societies such as Cemiyet-i İlmiye-i İslamiye (Society of Islamic Learning). The Masons began to have a say in the administration. Reşid Pasha, who became a Mason while serving as ambassador to Paris, was brought to the grand vizierate under British pressure. Sadullah Pasha, Mehmed Fuad Pasha, Mithat Pasha, and Ahmed Vefik Pasha were Masons. During the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, almost all of the Young Ottomans such as Ziya Pasha, Şinasi, Ahmed Midhat Efendi, Namık Kemal, and Besim Ömer Pasha, who ignited the ideal of constitutionalism, entered Masonic lodges. Sultan Abdulhamid II did not openly oppose Freemasonry, and allowed it on the condition that it refrain from engaging in politics. But he always kept it under control. Most members of the Committee of Union and Progress (Young Turks), which dethroned the Sultan, were Masons. Many of them also played a role in the foundation of the republic. Mustafa Kemal Pasha joined the Risorta Masonic lodge in 1907, but stopped attending its meetings and rituals about a year later. Since the principle of populism foresaw that citizens could only organize under the roof of the People’s Party, in 1935 the Masonic society was closed along with all other civil associations. İsmet İnönü permitted Masonic activities in 1948.

The Prince in the Grip

Sultan Abdulaziz made a journey to Europe in 1867 to improve the deteriorated image of the Ottoman Empire. He took with him his two nephews, Prince Murad and Prince Abdulhamid Efendi. Murad Efendi, who was also the heir apparent at the time, was a handsome, gentle, and cultured young man. He became very popular in European courts and gained sympathy. Even his marriage to a British princess was brought to the agenda. But Sultan Abdulaziz did not accept it. The Prince Murad established a friendship in England with the future King Edward VII. According to accounts, the prince Edward succeeded in admitting the future sultan into the Scottish Masonic lodge to which he belonged. Both sides expected benefit from this. When he became sultan, the Prince Murad hoped that Europe, especially England, would get along well with him; and that he would also break the opposition of the Young Turks. Indeed, most European rulers and princes belonged to this influential society. At that time, Freemasonry did not possess an image beyond that of a club supporting its members socially. For this reason, even if the Prince’s Freemasonry is true, it is unfounded for certain circles to criticize the prince for this. It is known that, in order to increase their popularity, Masons often present many people as if they were Masons. Even today, most of those who enter Freemasonry aim to increase their social and financial opportunities. Its real mission does not concern them very much. In this respect, the role of Freemasonry in world politics has considerably diminished today.

A Gamble That Cost Him the Throne

Did the Prince Murad reap the fruits of this action? Both yes and no. When Sultan Abdulaziz was dethroned and died under suspicious circumstances, he succeeded him. However, the course of events contrary to his control and will horrified this sensitive ruler. His nerves were shattered, and he lost his throne before even girding on the sword of sovereignty. Thus he paid the price of the attempt he had undertaken against his uncle. His brother Abdulhamid Efendi became sultan. The Masonic brethren Scalieri, and later Ali Suavi, attempted to restore the former ruler, who was residing in Cırağan Palace, to the throne, but they were unsuccessful. This caused the pressure upon Sultan Murad V to increase. In short, the poor Sultan Murad did not find in Freemasonry what he had hoped for.

According to the account of the Masons, when Sultan Abdulhamid II saw the role of Freemasonry in world politics, through his personal physician Mavrogenis Pasha he applied to the Proodos Lodge, affiliated with the French Grand Orient, in which his elder brother had also been initiated (the formal Masonic initiation ceremony) in 1872, and expressed his desire to enter Freemasonry. However, the lodge sensed the Sultan’s intention and, being alarmed by his personality, rejected this request. This time he wished to establish a Masonic club under his own leadership in order to keep the congregations together; but the Masons prevented this as well. After 1878, he abandoned this intention and placed the Masons under strict control.