Describe Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.) here
Copy/Paste for now ... someone will need to rewrite regarding the organization as a whole and the history of Oakland Shriners in particular.
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry. In 2010, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, as well as Shriners North America, changed its name to Shriners International, now covering nearly 200 temples (chapters) across North America, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia.The organization is best known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children it administers, and the red fezzes that members wear. Shriners International describes itself as a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are approximately 340,000 members from 195 temples (chapters)