Greetings my Brothers!

This is Eric Morabito, “The Walking Man,” checking back in on Fez Friday.

Islam Temple

Islam Temple is known as the “Mother Temple of the West.” A petition was presented to the Imperial Council in 1883 to open a Temple in San Francisco and the State of California. Islam Temple was duly constituted on March 6th, 1883. The jurisdiction of six (6) other California Shrine Temples, Aahmes, Al Bahr, Al Malaikah, Ben Ali, El Bekal, and Tehran Temples, was carved out of Islam Temple’s original territory.

Today, the Islam Temple jurisdiction includes Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. Islam Temple of San Francisco received its dispensation from Illustrious Walter M. Fleming, First Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America, in 1883. At that time, the Mystic Shrine was but an infant of seven years, it having been organized in New York City in 1876. But the news of its success in the East sped across the continent, where a tiny group of Knights Templar and Scottish Rite Masons in San Francisco received it with enthusiastic acclaim. In the early 1880’s San Francisco was emerging from its pioneer mining camp clothes and assuming the leadership of commercial affairs that it has since retained on the Pacific Coast. Masonic Lodges were springing up throughout the city and throughout the adjoining towns. Islam Temple, however, was the only Shrine Temple in this entire section, and Masons journeyed from all over Northern California to traverse the burning Sands within its shelter. Islam Temple grew steadily until 1922, when the membership totaled approximately 10,000. Likewise, it was one of the wealthiest Temples in the United States, although many more prominent Temples were established. In 1918, Islam Temple moved from temporary quarters on Powell Street to the magnificent Mosque at 650 Geary Street, built at approximately $150,000. The land and building belonged to Islam Temple and were free of all indebtedness. Islam Temple appropriated $100,000 for the entertainment of the Imperial Council. The festivities marveled 250,000 visitors and set a new mark for achievements of this kind. The Mosque at 650 Geary Street served as Islam Temple’s home until 1972 when the Temple moved to 1651 19th Avenue.

Today, the Islam Temple jurisdiction includes Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. Islam Temple of San Francisco received its dispensation from Illustrious Walter M. Fleming, First Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America, in 1883. At that time, the Mystic Shrine was but an infant of seven years, it having been organized in New York City in 1876. But the news of its success in the East sped across the continent, where a tiny group of Knights Templar and Scottish Rite Masons in San Francisco received it with enthusiastic acclaim. In the early 1880’s San Francisco was emerging from its pioneer mining camp clothes and assuming the leadership of commercial affairs that it has since retained on the Pacific Coast. Masonic Lodges were springing up throughout the city and throughout the adjoining towns. Islam Temple, however, was the only Shrine Temple in this entire section, and Masons journeyed from all over Northern California to traverse the burning Sands within its shelter. Islam Temple grew steadily until 1922, when the membership totaled approximately 10,000. Likewise, it was one of the wealthiest Temples in the United States, although many more prominent Temples were established. In 1918, Islam Temple moved from temporary quarters on Powell Street to the magnificent Mosque at 650 Geary Street, built at approximately $150,000. The land and building belonged to Islam Temple and were free of all indebtedness. Islam Temple appropriated $100,000 for the entertainment of the Imperial Council. The festivities marveled 250,000 visitors and set a new mark for achievements of this kind. The Mosque at 650 Geary Street served as Islam Temple’s home until 1972 when the Temple moved to 1651 19th Avenue.

Islam Temple moved into its new home in July 1994, and because of plans to lease out a portion of the building until the mortgage is paid off, the new address is 1925 Elkhorn Court, the side entrance to the building. The new home is being used for many business and social functions by the Divan, Units, and Clubs. Islam Temple changed its name to Asiya Shriners in 2002. Asiya Shriners are committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care for children and families in need.