Masud Temple #69 History

THE HISTORY OF MASUD TEMPLE NO. 69

A.E.A.O.N.M.S.

North & South America Jurisdiction, Inc. P.H.A.

Desert of Florida ~ Oasis of West Palm Beach

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME “MASUD”

Masud is the name derived for Nuaym ibn Masud. Nuaym ibn Masud was from Najd in the
northern highlands of Arabia. He belonged to the powerful Ghatafan tribe. As a young
man, he was clever and alert. He was full of enterprise and traveled widely. He was
resourceful, ever ready to take up a challenge and not prepared to allow any problem to
get the better of him.

This son of the desert was endowed with extraordinary presence of mind and unusual
subtlety. He was however someone who liked to enjoy himself and gave himself over to
the pursuit of youthful passion. He loved music and took delight in the company of many
songstresses. Often when he felt the urge to listen to strings of musical instruments, he
would leave the hearths of his people and make his way to Yathrib, a Jewish community,
which was widely known for its song and music. In this way Nuaym ibn Masud came to
develop strong links among Jews of the city and in particular with Banu Qurayzah.

At the time when God favored mankind by sending His Prophet Muhammad with the
religion of guidance and truth, and the valleys of Makkah glowed with the light of Islam,
Nuaym ibn Masud was still given over to the pursuit of sensual satisfaction. He was
opposed to the religious movement for fear that he would have to give up his pursuit of
sensual satisfaction. He joined forces with the opposition of Islam and waged war against
the Prophet.

The moment of truth came for Nuaym ibn Masud during the great siege of Madinah in the
fifth year of the Prophet's stay in the city. The Prophet banished a group of Jews belonging
to the tribe of Banu an-Nadir. This tribe formed and alliance with many tribes to wage war
against the Prophet Muhammad. The night prior to the attack Nuaym ibn Masud could not
sleep. He gazed into the stars in the vast firmament and began to question himself. "Why
are you in this far off place to fight this man?" Certainly not for the triumph of right; or for
the protection of some honor violated. He struggled with his conscience and debated with
himself and came to a decision. He went to the Prophet and stated, "I came to declare that
there is no God but Allah and that you are the servant of God, and His Messenger". "I
have declared my submission to God, O Messenger of God". Thus, Nuaym ibn Masud
caused disarray and among the tribes leaders and harmony did not prevail for he had found
favor in the eyes of all the tribe’s leaders. The tribe’s leaders became so infuriated with
one another that they fled and did not attack Madinah and the Prophet Muhammad. Nuaym
ibn Masud gained confidence of the Prophet and was appointed Standard-Bearer of the
Prophet.

THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY

Masud Temple No. 69 was formed in the fall of 1949 by a group of Nobles with Shrine
degrees who lived in the Palm Beaches; but who had been a shrine club affiliated with
Kazah Temple No. 149 in Miami, Florida. Founding Members of the club were: Nobles
C. G. Dyson, W. T. Burney, James B. Meadows, George P. Coleman, Dr. W. T.
Edgecome, Seph Allen, and W. C. Burney.

In 1953 Another Group of brothers were created in Kazah Temple on behalf of the
budding Shrine club. They were: Willam Mercer, George Scruggs, S. M. Fluellyn,
Joseph Dellagall, Dr. J. H. R. Dyett, Dr. W. E. Norvell, and Otis D. James. In 1957
Kazah Temple created Eugene Stevens, John W. Stevens, and Fred Wilson. In that same
year, Robert Sanders, J. C. Arnold, Manny Bates, Harold Cummings, and Alex Jenkins
were also created under Kazah temple; with the ceremony taking place in the Masonic
building in West Palm Beach.

By September of 1959, Kazah had assisted in creating a total of 38 Masud Nobles when
the first Temple was officially established in West Palm Beach. Noble Sam Brady was
appointed the First Potentate of Masud Temple No. 69 under dispensation by Imperial
Potentate Booker T. Alexander. Nobles Walter Johnson, Jr., W. B. Minus, and Norris
Nelson; were the first novice class to become Nobles created by the newly appointed
Illustrious Potentate Sam Brady.

On September 18, 1960 Imperial Potentate Alexander granted a charter to the Temple and
the First election was held. The following Nobles were the First to be elected into office
by the Masud Nobility: Eugene A. Stevens, Ill. Potentate, J. C. Arnold, Chief Rabban,
William Mercer, Assistant Rabban, W. B. Watson, Treasurer, and John W. Stevens,
Recorder.

By the year 1961, Masud boasted a membership of 68 members and was considered to be
one of the finest temples in the Domain. By the early 1970’s, the Masud membership had
grown to over 100 members and the Temple was strong enough to assist in establishing at
least one other temple in the Bahamas. In 1971 several members of Masud submitted a
petition to the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge requesting permission to form a
Temple in the area located between West Palm Beach and Kazah Temple in Miami. The
petition was approved by Grand Master Rudolph Bradley and sent to the Imperial Divan
for consideration. In 1972, under a dispensation granted by Imperial Potentate John W.
Edghill, Masud created 25 new Nobles in the Masonic building of Pompano Lodge #409
for the purpose of forming the new Broward County Temple. The new nobility met as a
shrine club under the direction of Masud Temple until 1974. Then on September 23, 1974,
the Masud membership officially split when Imperial Potentate Marshall S. Johnson
granted a charter that officially established Saba Temple No. 186 in Pompano Beach,
Florida. Masud Past Potentate Charles Ellington was appointed by Masud to be the first
Past Potentate of the new Saba Temple. Noble I. W. West was elected as the first Saba
Illustrious Potentate. Today Masud Temple is still going strong with a long history of
incredible leadership and an even greater future ahead of it.

To its credit, Masud was recognized on the Imperial level in the mid seventies when it
won 2nd place overall in the Motorized Patrol competition in only its first showing. In
most recent years, Masud has been named the Desert of Florida’s “Temple of the Year” in
1998, 1999, 2000, & 2004. Equally, the Temple’s Marching club has taken top honors as
either the Desert’s “Best Parade Unit or Best Marching Unit every year since 1998 up until
the year 2005.

In 1999, Masud Temple No. 69 started a practice of naming its Novice Classes that were
to be created as Masud Nobles. The classes to date are:

1999 ~ Mamaluke, 2000 ~ Nubian, 2002 ~ Bedouins & Azande, 2003 ~ Kahlan, 2005 ~
Bilaah, and 2006 ~ Shabaka.

As the many classes before them, each of these classes, in its own respect has contributed
to the success of Masud Temple No. 69.

In the year 2000, shortly after being created, Noble Donald Russell wrote the lyrics to
what is now known as the “Masud Motivational Song”. The song is an inspiration to all
and is a constant reminder of the roads traveled to become a Masud Noble. When sung, it
typically instills a level of pride in the Nobles of Masud that is seldom challenged. This
song can easily be credited with inspiring many of the successes mentioned above.

Given all of the accolades, Masud Temple puts charity and the preservation of Shrine
ethics on the top of its list of priorities. Since 1999, Masud has contributed annually at
least $1000 to the Shriners children’s hospital and the United Negro College Fund.
Additionally, in the years 2004 & 2005 the temple contributed over $3000 to local
charities; namely “HIPPY” and “The Share Program of Palm Beach County”.

“HIPPY” is a program focused on home school instruction of pre-school Children, and
“Share” is a program designed to provide meals for the less fortunate. Both programs are
worthy causes of which Masud is very proud to be a part of. In 2006, Masud is continuing
its works in the humanitarian arena with plans of bringing more awareness to the
importance of voting and the need to exercise the voter’s rights. Led and organized by our
First appointed Director of Voter’s Registration and Education, Noble Stephen Britt, this
plan was put to action by Masud when the temple held its very first Voter’s Registration
Drive at the Urban League of West Palm Beach, Fl. on February 11, 2006.

Masud continues to work hard to portray Shrinedom to the fullest. God has blessed this
temple with extraordinary leaders who continue to elevate Masud and raise the bar of
excellence in the Desert of Florida. At Masud Temple #69, Shrinedom is deeply rooted in
the hearts of each Noble, as it should be.