MASONS IN A MOSQUE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 3

MASONS IN A MOSQUE.

Freemasons in Palestine have held a Masonic: meeting on the historic site of Kiii s Solomon's Temple, whore Freemasonry is supposed t-o have originated! about 1000 B.C. (says a London paper of September 2nd). This meeting was organised by members of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force in Palestine. Tho Mosque of Omar boing on the site of tho Temple, the New Zealanders approached tho Great Sheikh in charge of tho mosque for permission. Then occurred an incident showing the universality of the Order. Tho Sheikh listened to what the strangers had to say, and then to their amazement he asked if there wero any Masons among them. The rest was easy. He declared himself a Mason, and at tho meeting he acted as one of the Guards of the Lodge. The place within the mosque where the meeting was held is known as tho "Cave of the Rock of the Dome," andl is believed to have been tho Holy of Holies of the old Temple, as it is today of the Mosque of Omar. Soldiers of all ranks were present, and after a lodge had been duly constituted and! opened, resolutions "were passed conveying fraternal greetings and good wishes to the various grand lodges, to the lodges in New Zealand, and the brethren on service in France.