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Mahmoud Ghaffari, 32°
An Iranian-American Brother thanks America
and Masonry
for welcoming him with open arms.
 While many Brethren from diverse backgrounds are
featured in the Scottish Rite Journal, few are first-generation
Americans. Unlike myself and so many others, they have not fled
their homeland because of calamity, be it war, famine, economic
collapse or, like myself and others from Iran, political and
religious persecution. We Iranians came to America to leave behind
a sinister and tyrannical world and to enter, in contrast, a
world of freedom and choice.
It wasn’t easy for us. In the pursuit of
something noble and precious, we left behind memories, belongings,
and loved
ones. I and my fellow Iranians thank America for giving us a
chance absent in our country of birth. America adopted us with
open arms. All this land of liberty wanted in return was for
us to better our lives, hence indirectly bettering the nation
and the world. In the process, I was rewarded with the opportunity
for economic improvement and advanced education.
I became a citizen of this free nation, and, as
such, I could choose my employment, education, where I live,
what faith I practice,
and what groups, like Freemasonry, I wished to join. Much was
given and little asked in return.
America has been the first in many things for
me, including the first nation to embrace the Grand Lodge of
Iran in-Exile, whose
light cannot shine in its country of origin. At a time when
no other Grand Lodge would acknowledge our sovereignty, many
American
Grand Lodges recognized and accepted us. Today, we are the
only Grand Lodge in-Exile in the world that is prospering and
growing.
American Freemasonry led the way, and now many Grand Lodges
across the world have recognized the Grand Lodge of Iran in-Exile
as
the true representative of its member Brethren in whatever
country they may dwell.
The August 2004 issue of the Scottish Rite Journal
featured the 10th anniversary of the re-opening of the Grand
Lodge in Romania.
We have faith the same process will be afforded to Iran so
that we can celebrate the re-illumination of the torch of Masonry
and freedom in our homeland. Masonry has taught us all men,
religions,
and races are equally worthy of respect. These tenets are the
hallmarks of our Brotherhood and are the ideals we hope to
bring to a free and democratic Iran.
Thank you, America, for giving us these choices
for ourselves and our community. Through Freemasonry, we will
use these choices
well. That is our pledge to America, the land of choice.
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Mahmoud Ghaffari
is the Supply Chain Implementation Project Manager at Boeing, and an Adjunct
Professor of Network Communication and Computer Information Systems at Devry
and National University. Raised a Master Mason in Mowlavy Lodge #2, Boston,
Mass., a member Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Iran in-Exile since 1996, he
is currently the Commander for the Council of Kadosh in the Valley of Los
Angeles and the Knight Sentinel for the Knights of Saint Andrew. Contacts:
30755 Via La Cresta, Rancho Palos Verde, CA 90275-5310; mahmoud@ghaffaris.com;
www.ghaffaris.com |
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