This is a great site that has answered some of my questions and I think reputes any rumors about what freemasonary truly is.
I’m very curiuos to learn more about your brotherhood and maybe become a member one day. The dilema I currently face is I’m residing in the middle east, and lodges/temples are no where to be found here. I was happy to read some replies from Charles who is in neighbouring Iraq, and was curious if he does travel to neighbouring countries occasionally.
I would like to learn about lodges in Kuwait and the UAE if they are existant, or of freemasons that could help me learn more about your brotherhood.
Also from my readings on your forum, I was unsure about one thing. Freemasonary is open to people from all religions, yet I learnt that some lodges restrict memberships to followers of christianity. Isn’t religion a forbidden topic in lodges?
I work in Iraq. I have worked in Saudi Arabia, and I have a total of 4 years residence in this part of the world. I plan to remain in Iraq for 3-5 more years. There are lodges operating in several of the countries in the MidEast, but not all of them. Freemasonry exists in Saudi Arabia, but it is illegal, and the lodges operate in secret. There are several lodges operating in Iraq, since there is no Grand Lodge of Iraq, these lodges are sponsored by Grand Lodges in the USA.
I have no personal knowledge of lodges operating in Kuwait/UAE. There is a masonic group at Camp Arifjan, but it is sponsored by a USA Grand Lodge. I suggest that you check at the British Embassies in these countries, and inquire.
Masonry is open to men who believe in God, regardless of their individual religion. There are Muslim masons, Jewish Masons, and Masons from other religious experiences. Only an avowed atheist cannot be made a mason. Discussions of religion or politics are forbidden in lodge.
As you had mentioned Masonary is illegal in these countries as well. I would assume if they existed that the would operate in secret, and again sponsored by USA or other lodges. From my research I’ve found that your Massachusettes Grand Lodge to be one of the more interesting ones, and maybe become a member through any lodges they currently sponosor in the middle east.
Please do not be confused. Masonry is illegal in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom forbids all organizations and clubs of this type. To the best of my knowledge, Masonry is NOT illegal in Kuwait or the UAE. There is legal Masonry in Bahrain. Most of the countries of the world, where the British had colonial rule, have Masonry. Many African countries have Masonry. Masonry was illegal in Spain, under the Franco dictatorship, but Masonry has returned to Spain, in recent years.
Some MidEast countries have their own Grand Lodge, example Turkey. Masonry is very active in Turkey.
Thanks for the clarification Charles. I would go on to ask you what do you think I should do now to join?
I’m currently residing in the gulf and mainly traveling between Kuwait and Dubai. The thing is, from my observations is that even thought they might not be illegal as you’ve stated, there is a lot of social skepticism and dillusion about freemasonary, so even if they exist I would suspect they’d remain discrete and thus hard to find. The more I read about the values of this brotherhood and the ideals it holds the more eager I become about petitioning. How can I when the existance of freemasonary in this region of the world is secluded from public eyes.
Your advice, and the advice of your brothers is apprecaited.
To the best of my knowledge, I do not think there are any formally recognized lodges in either Kuwait or the UAE. If there were, either the Grand Lodge of England or Scotland would be the most likely have established a Provincial Grand Lodge in either country. Some research on their web sites might prove me incorrect.
As Charles earlier pointed out, that does not mean there isn’t any Masonic activity taking place. I get the sense you are either from the West, or you were educated in the West. I’ll assume you continue to have interaction with Westerners, either professionally or socially. You might want to casually ask some of the men you know, or bring up the subject of the fraternity with them. If there are Masons in your circle of contacts, you will be able to find out if there is any Masonic activity taking place.
As you have correctly stated, I was riased and educated in the West, and I do have many Westerner friends here. I never thought of raising the issue as i always thought of it as taboo in this part of the world...I guess I’ll have to be subtle in my quest to learn about freemasonary in the middle east.
If anyone comes across any information or can assist me further I’d apprecaite your feedabck. :coolsmile:
Masonry exists in many of the MidEast nations. I suggest you check with the British Embassy in your country of residence. Also, if there are American companies operating there (such as ARAMCO, Halliburton, KBR, etc), you can make an inquiry. Wherever there are Americans and Brits, there is Freemasonry in one form or another. I am working with the Grand Lodge of New York, to get a lodge re-established in Iraq (primarily for American soldiers and civilians). There is a group of Iraqis, operating in secret, who are working with the Grand Lodge of England to establish a Grand Lodge of Iraq, and have masonry return to Iraq permanently. These men are risking their lives to build a lodge meeting hall, and to perform degree work (in the future). May the Great Architect protect them!
I have spent the last three years in Iraq. I am in Huntsville ALA now, and I am returning to that part of the world soon. There is no Grand Lodge of Iraq, at this time. There are a group of Iraqi men, who at great personal risk, are working to establish a lodge in Iraq, under sponsorship of a Grand Lodge in England. Once their lodge is operating, they plan to form a Grand Lodge of Iraq.
There are some Masonic lodges at the US military bases in Iraq, that are working, but all of them are sponsored by Grand Lodges in the USA. Most military bases in Iraq, are closed to Iraqi nationals.
There is a Grand Lodge in Exile for Iran. Their members are mostly in the Los Angeles California area. There ia a Scottish Rite council for Iran as well. They are also in exile, and their headquarters is also in Southern California.
Masonry is totally illegal in Iran, and just being a mason, will land you in jail, or summary execution.
