The Ahis are a group of medieval mystics who have been described as the Muslim equivalent of the Masons because, like the Masons, they were a secretive bunch of believers with strong links to the trades rather like the western guilds.
The Ahis drew their ideas from those of Ahi Evran (1171-1262), thought to have been a tanner who had arrived in Central Anatolia from his birthplace of Horasan. He died in Kırşehir where his shrine is now an important place of pilgrimage.
