Who are the Shriners?

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States. The organization is best-known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children they administer and the red fezzes that members wear. The organization is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Shriners International describes itself as a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. There are approximately 340,000 members from 193 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Republic of Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Europe and Australia.

Ben Ali is proud of its history. Since 1922 the Shrine's name and its fez have been synonymous with wholesome fun, convivial fellowship, and the cheerful support of good causes. The Shrine numbers in its members outstanding leaders in virtually every walk of the political, economic, educational, social, civil, religious, and cultural side of life. It is an organization noted for having fun, but its constructive purposes, characterized by "hospitality without rudeness and jollity without coarseness."