Why do Shriners wear a Fez?

The red fez with the black tassel is one of the fraternity’s most distinctive symbols. Derived from the city of Fez, Morocco, the fez was chosen as the official headgear of the fraternity to complement the organization’s pomp and pageantry, theme, ceremonies, and events.

Source:
https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en/who-we-are/history-of-the-fraternity

Symbolism and Meaning:
• Each fez is personalized for the wearer. Information on the fez includes the chapter he belongs to and any positions he holds, and memberships of clubs or units. It is worn at all official Shriners events.

• The crescent and scimitar, the emblem on the front of the fez, are an important part of the fraternity’s theme and are representative of the characteristics embodied by the Shriners.

• The scimitar stands for the backbone of the fraternity, and its members.

• The two claws are for the Shriners fraternity and its philanthropy.

• The sphinx stands for the governing body of the Shriners.

• The five-pointed star represents the thousands of children helped by philanthropy each year.

• Robur et Furor (“strength and fury” in Latin) is also adopted as a theme to accompany the emblem

Sources:
https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en/who-we-are/history-of-the-fraternity