Who Are Shriners and What is the Shrine?
Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international fraternity of approximately 525,000 members who belong to Shrine Temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. Founded in New York City in 1872, the organization is composed solely of Master Masons. The Shrine is best-known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called “the heart and soul of the Shrine.
