Bektashy, or Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

Becktashi   

from... https://www.campbellmgold.com/archive_general/parade_to_glory_deventer_1959.pdf

The most prominent and powerful of these orders is the Bektashy, or Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Its offshoots and satellites are the Darkawy, Khowan, Ab Del Kader El Bagdadi, and the Issawiye, similar in obligation and purpose. These are not altogether politico-religious societies as generally supposed by the outside world. Although ostensibly appearing as such there is a deep and hidden meaning beneath the exposed superficial exterior, as promulgated to the profane. These orders are closely allied to the famous "Illuminati," which fraternity exercised such vigilant power during the reign of King Frederick William of Prussia. The real object of all of these Orders is to gain all possible power of reign and rule; to exercise these powers for the best welfare of country or land; and to fearlessly purify it of all base and sordid element of whatever nature, independent of creed, sect or nationality; their foundation being the acknowledgment of Deity or one ever-loving and true God.... The Bektashy, or Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, as it is known in America, is of necessity divested of its inconsistent Islam dogmas and its ritual adapted to the consistencies of Christian institutions and American laws, and is destined to become a powerful order here in America. Its jewel of membership, or the insignia of the order worn by its disciples, is the Crescent, formed by the claws of a tiger, united at the bases and bound with gold, bearing the additional emblems of the head of a female Sphinx, on one side and a pyramid, urn, and star upon the other, also bearing the date of the reception of the order and the Latin motto "Robur et Furor"-signifying strength and fury.

The 1877 history is similar in content, but not in style or spelling, to a history of the Order printed in 1893
which had been "compiled and collated" by Fleming and Paterson, and it is this latter "origin of the Order"
which over the years has been most quoted. In 1902, Fleming wrote a letter to George L. Root of
Mohammed Temple, Peoria, Illinois, authorizing him to use the later version in a book he was preparing.
Fleming wrote: "I am in receipt of yours of the 13th inst. relative to using my 'History of the Shrine.'
Personally I have no objections, especially if for distribution to the Nobles of the Order. I do not think
Noble Paterson would object either if credited to its authors." The legend of the Shrine became
permanent with the publication of this later history. It probably was written in 1883 while Fleming was still
the Imperial Potentate, for it is mentioned in the official proceedings of that year, but the first known
publication came in a pamphlet issued by Imperial Recorder Frank Luce, who had succeeded Paterson. It
is dated 1893.
That history says: The Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was instituted by the Mohammedan Kalif
Alee (whose name be praised!), the cousin-german and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed (God favor
and preserve him!), in the year of the Hegira 25 (A.D. 644) at Mecca in Arabia, as an inquisition, or
Vigilance Committee, to dispense justice and execute punishment upon criminals who escaped their just
deserts through the tardiness of the courts, and also to promote religious tolerance among cultured men
of all nations. The original intention was to form a band of men of sterling worth who would, without fear
or favor, upon a valid accusation, try, judge, and execute, if need be, within the hour, having taken
precautions as to secrecy and security.
The "Nobles" perfected their organization, and did such prompt and efficient work that they excited alarm
and even consternation in the hearts of evildoers in all countries under the Star and Crescent.
The Order is yet one of the most highly favored among the many secret societies which abound in
Oriental countries, and gathers around its shrines a select few of the best educated and cultured classes.
Their ostensible object is to increase the faith and fidelity of all true believers in Allah (whose name be
exalted!). The secret and real purpose can only be made known to those who have encircled the Mystic
Shrine according to instructions in "The Book of the Constitution and the Regulations of the Imperial
Council." Its membership in all countries includes Christians, Israelites, Moslems and men in high
positions of learning and power. One of the most noted patrons of the Order was the late Khedive of
Egypt (whose name be revered!) whose inclination toward Christians is well known.
The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was sometimes mistaken for a certain order of the dervishes, such as
those known as the Hanafeeyeh, Rufaeeyeh, Sadireeyeh, and others, either howling, whirling, dancing or
barking; but this is an error. The only connection that the Order ever had with any sect of dervishes was
with that called the Bektash. This warlike sect undertook to favor and protect the Nobles in a time of great
peril, and have ever since been counted among its most honored patrons.

This particular history then includes considerable detail concerning the origin of the Crescent as a symbol
of power and authority, and it goes on to say: In 1801 the Sultan Selim III, having previously presented
Lord Nelson with a crescent richly adorned with diamonds, founded the Order of the Crescent, which, as
Mohammedans are not allowed to carry such marks of distinction, has been conferred on Christians
alone.
Temples of the Order of the Crescent, or Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, were instituted in various cities of
Europe many years ago, and now, although possessing all the powers, material and paraphernalia of the
Inquisition, if required, still continue to thrive as social and charitable organizations, impressing on its
disciples its purifying tenets and attributes, while always on the alert to arouse into executive action
should an emergency arise.
In 1871 the Ritual was brought to America by one of the transient foreign members and representatives
with instructions to place it only in the hands of prominent high-grade Masons for establishment and
exemplification as had been done in Europe. Owing to the fact of Masons being regarded as a choice of
the best men in the land, and having already passed the ordeal of obligation, the Order of Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine would be regarded as safer with them than with the unobligated masses, and make it, if
necessity required, a deliberating and executive body of inquisitorial nature, as when originally
inaugurated.

The 1877 history is similar in content, but not in style or spelling, to a history of the Order printed in 1893
which had been "compiled and collated" by Fleming and Paterson, and it is this latter "origin of the Order"
which over the years has been most quoted. In 1902, Fleming wrote a letter to George L. Root of
Mohammed Temple, Peoria, Illinois, authorizing him to use the later version in a book he was preparing.
Fleming wrote: "I am in receipt of yours of the 13th inst. relative to using my 'History of the Shrine.'
Personally I have no objections, especially if for distribution to the Nobles of the Order. I do not think
Noble Paterson would object either if credited to its authors." The legend of the Shrine became
permanent with the publication of this later history. It probably was written in 1883 while Fleming was still
the Imperial Potentate, for it is mentioned in the official proceedings of that year, but the first known
publication came in a pamphlet issued by Imperial Recorder Frank Luce, who had succeeded Paterson. It
is dated 1893.
That history says: The Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was instituted by the Mohammedan Kalif
Alee (whose name be praised!), the cousin-german and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed (God favor
and preserve him!), in the year of the Hegira 25 (A.D. 644) at Mecca in Arabia, as an inquisition, or
Vigilance Committee, to dispense justice and execute punishment upon criminals who escaped their just
deserts through the tardiness of the courts, and also to promote religious tolerance among cultured men
of all nations. The original intention was to form a band of men of sterling worth who would, without fear
or favor, upon a valid accusation, try, judge, and execute, if need be, within the hour, having taken
precautions as to secrecy and security.
The "Nobles" perfected their organization, and did such prompt and efficient work that they excited alarm
and even consternation in the hearts of evildoers in all countries under the Star and Crescent.
The Order is yet one of the most highly favored among the many secret societies which abound in
Oriental countries, and gathers around its shrines a select few of the best educated and cultured classes.
Their ostensible object is to increase the faith and fidelity of all true believers in Allah (whose name be
exalted!). The secret and real purpose can only be made known to those who have encircled the Mystic
Shrine according to instructions in "The Book of the Constitution and the Regulations of the Imperial
Council." Its membership in all countries includes Christians, Israelites, Moslems and men in high
positions of learning and power. One of the most noted patrons of the Order was the late Khedive of
Egypt (whose name be revered!) whose inclination toward Christians is well known.
The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was sometimes mistaken for a certain order of the dervishes, such as
those known as the Hanafeeyeh, Rufaeeyeh, Sadireeyeh, and others, either howling, whirling, dancing or
barking; but this is an error. The only connection that the Order ever had with any sect of dervishes was
with that called the Bektash. This warlike sect undertook to favor and protect the Nobles in a time of great
peril, and have ever since been counted among its most honored patrons.

The famous Arab known as Bektash, from a peculiar high white hat or cap which he made from a sleeve
of his gown, the founder of the sect named in his honor, was an imam in the army of the Sultan Amurath I,
the first Mohammedan who led an army into Europe, A.D. 1360 (in the year of the Hegira, 761). This
Sultan was the founder of the military order of the Janizaries (so called because they were freed captives
who were adopted into the faith and the army), although his father Orkham began the work. Bektash
adopted a white robe and cap, and instituted the ceremony of kissing the sleeve.
The Buktasheeyeh's representative at Mecca is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, is the chief officer of the
Alee Temple of Nobles, and in 1877 was the chief of the Order in Arabia. The chief must reside either at
Mecca or Medinah, and, in either case must be present in person or by deputy during the month of
pilgrimage.
The character of the Order as it appears to the uninitiated is that of a politico-religious society. It is really
more than such a society could be; and there are hidden meanings in its simplest symbols that take hold
on the profoundest depths of the heart.
Among the modern promoters of the principles of the Order in Europe, one of the most noted was Herr
Adam Weishaupt, a Rosicrucian (Rose Cross Mystic), and professor of law in the University of Ingolstadt,
in Bavaria, who revived the Order in that city on May 1, 1776. Its members exercised a profound
influence before and during the French Revolution, when they were known as the Illuminati, and they
professed to be teachers of philosophy. From the central society at Ingolstadt, branches spread through
all Europe. Among the members, there are recorded the names of Frederick the Great, Mirabeau, a Duke
of Orleans, many members of royal families, literary, scientific and professional men, including the
illustrious Goethe, Spinoza, Kant, Lord Bacon, and a long list besides, whose works enlarge and free the
mind from the influence of dogma and prejudice.
Frequent revolutions in Arabia, Persia and Turkey have obscured the Order from time to time, as appears
from the many breaks in the continuity of the records at Mecca, but it has often been revived. Some of the
most noted revivals are those at Mecca and Aleppo in A.D. 1698 (A.x. 1110) and at Cairo in 1837 (A.x.
1253), the latter under the protection of the Khedive of Egypt, who recognized the Order as a powerful
means of civilization.
In the year A.D. 804, during a warlike expedition against the Byzantine emperor Nikephorous, the most
famous Arabian Kalif, Haroon alRasheed, deputed a renowned scholar, Abd el-Kader el-Bagdadee, to
proceed to Aleppo, Syria and found a college there for the propagation of the religion of the Prophet
Mohammed (God favor and preserve him!). The work and college arose and the Order of Nobles was
revived there as a part of the means of civilization.
The Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in America does not advocate Mohammedanism as a sect, but
inculcates the same respect to Deity here as in Arabia and elsewhere, and hence the secret of its
profound grasp on the intellect and the heart of all cultured people.
The Ritual now in use is a translation from the original Arabic, found preserved in the archives of the
Order at Aleppo, Syria, whence it was brought in 1860, to London, England, by Rizk Allah Hassoon
Effendi, who was the author of several works in Arabic, one of which was a metrical version of the Book
of Job. His "History of Islam" offended the Turkish government because of its humanitarian principles,
and he was forced to leave his native country.
In the year 1698, the learned Orientalist, Luigi Marracci, who was then just completing his great works,
"The Koran in Latin and Arabic with notes," and "The Bible in Arabic" at Padua, Italy, was initiated into our
Order of Nobles, and found time to translate the Ritual into Italian. The initiated will be able to see how
deeply significant this fact is when the history of the Italian society of "Carbonari" is recalled. The very
existence of Italian unity and liberty depended largely on the "Nobles" who were represented by Count
Cavour, Mazzini, Garibaldi and the king, Victor Emmanuel.
Although Marracci was confessor to his Holiness, Pope Innocent XI, for several years, yet he was
censored by the College of the Propaganda at Rome for having aided and abetted the work of a secret
society, and the book was condemned to be burnt. A few copies were saved and one is still preserved in
the library of the Synagogue, which stands just inside the ancient Roman gate of the City of Babloon,