According to CNN, there was a bombing yesterday (3/9/04) at a Masonic lodge in Istanbul, which killed two and wounded at least seven. (See http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/03/09/turkey.explosion/index.html.) A great tragedy, but what I found most surprising about this story is that it happened at a Masonic lodge, in Istanbul. Despite all the Egyptian and Oriental imagery Freemasons use, I always assumed their organization was mainly a Euro-American affair. I’ve never before heard of a Masonic organization in an Islamic country (and one that was never actually colonized by Westerners). How long has this been going on? And why would Islamic extremists (assuming they are to blame for this attack) want to target the Freemasons?
Yes, there are Masonic lodges around the world. I don’t know much about them. Many people think masonry is strictly Christian; it isn’t. As to why Islamic bombers would target a Masonic lodge, I don’t know. It could be a perceived tie to Americans. It could be that the bombers bought into the myth that Masons rule the world. It could… 
Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), founder of modern Turkey was a mason.
It is possible the islamic extremists have a problem with the masons that the catholic church originally had, too. The masons were open to members of different religions and denominations and endorsed exchange between them.
There are 174 regular Lodges in the Grand Lodge of Turkey, counting about 11,714 Brothers. There are Greek, French, English and of course Turkish-Speaking Lodges.
You seem to know a lot about this, Paul – please tell us, just to put this in perspective: In what countries are there no Masonic lodges? Or remarkably few lodges, in view of the size of the population? Are there Freemasons in Japan? In China? In India there must be Masons, it was colonized by the Brits for so long . . . Are there Masons in Iran? In Russia? In Egypt? In Saudi Arabia? In Southeast Asia? In subsaharan Africa? I’m sure there must be Masons, a lot of them, in Latin America.
I don’t know much about the Masons, so the follwing link might not be correct. It claims to list all non-US Grand Lodges. Interestingly enough, it lists four Grand Lodges in Turkey, so I don’t know how that gels with paul’s post.
There’s one for “Iran in Exile”.
None in Egypt or Saudi (or any other Arab nation). Precious few in muslim countries - none aside from Turkey unless some of those African countries and/or Armenia are muslim. China only in Taiwan. None in SE Asia.
All the other’s that you ask abouut have Grand Lodges.
And now for the link. :wally
Nitpick: Turkey is not “a Muslim country”. It is a secular nation, although it is true that the majority of the population is Muslim.
I cannot comment on Masonry in Saudi Arabia. I suppose that should answer you question about Saudi Arabia.
Presently, North Korea, Bahrain, China (the real China) (except for Hong Kong), Iran (as noted, we are now in exile from Iran) and Iraq are among the nations that are presently in Masonic Darkness.
When the time comes, we will return to those lands.
Forgive me, I forgot to mention that Japan has only about 25 Lodge, and is listed as having only about 2,000 members. This surprises me as the Lodges I have visited there were wonderful buildings and the Brothers most Fraternal.
Turkey (as well as Greece and Mexico for example) are currently fragmented among several competing Grand Lodges. Most Masonic jurisdictions will not recognize and of these Grand Lodges unless and until they resolve their differences and consolidate.