THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY

by Jacob M. Bressman | Deputy Grand Master

On December 10, 2022, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, D.C. installed Most Worshipful Brother Annas Fadludeen Kamara as its 212th Grand Master. Building upon recent successes of restoring order, common decency, and maintaining the traditions of our beloved Craft, Most Worshipful Brother Kamara pledged to dedicate himself to continuing the efforts of championing Protocol, Etiquette, and Tradition within our Grand Lodge. Our Grand Master’s commitment to these core Masonic precepts shall be the light to guide us as we labor onwards in our unity of practicing Freemasonry with a true and unyielding seriousness of purpose.

About The Grand Master

Most Worshipful Brother Annas Fadludeen Kamara is a naturalized American citizen, born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. He was born to a long lineage of Muslim family and remains a dedicated Muslim. He obtained his elementary and tertiary education from Catholic/Christian institutions in Freetown, Sierra Leone, but was privately tutored to read the Holy Quran at an early age.

In June 1995, he migrated to the United States of America to pursue higher education. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, College of Behavioral and Social Science (magna cum laude) and Howard University Graduate School respectively. His passion for social justice led him to enroll and graduated with a second Masters in Social Work from Howard University, Washington, D.C.

On March 15, 2002, Most Worshipful Brother Annas Fadludeen gained admission at the University of Maryland, College Park, Doctor of Philosophy program in Political Science and Law. The pain of marital divorce disrupted the completion of the Doctor of Philosophy program then.

It took eighteen (18) years to consciously dissuade himself from pursuing his lifelong dream of earning a doctorate degree but was unsuccessful. At present, he has been admitted to a Doctoral program at Howard University and had requested deferred admission until September 2024. Most Worshipful Brother Annas Kamara is a husband and the father of three children: Two young adult males and a minor daughter. He has been employed with the District of Columbia Government for over 16 years. He is also the Principal of Fadludeen & Associates, Inc.

Most Worshipful Brother Annas Fadludeen Kamara’s Masonic journey began after he was initiated into Masonry at his mother lodge, Potomac Lodge No. 5, F.A.A.M. Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

He became an affiliated member of Petworth Lodge No. 47 and Jerusalem Lodge No. 3000 in Washington, D.C., where he served as Worshipful Masters of both Lodges in 2011, and 2012 and 2020 respectively.

He is also active in other Appendant Bodies of Masonry in Washington, D.C. He is a member of Mount Vernon-Singleton Royal Arch Chapter No. 3, where he served as High Priest in 2013, Washington Cryptic Council No. 1, serving as Illustrious Master (2012 & 2013) and a Knight Templar at the Washington Commandery No. 1, where he served as Commander (2014). He is a member of the Ancient Arabic mas Temple Shrine of Washington, D.C. He is also active in the Scottish Rite Valley of Washington, Orient of the District of Columbia, where he received his 32° Degree and was elected as KCCH in May 2015. He received his 33° degree this year.

Most Worshipful Brother Annas Kamara was elected and served as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Mason of the District of Columbia in March 2020. He also serves as Grand Commander-of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars of Washington, D.C. after being installed on March 19, 2023.

Most Worshipful Brother Kamara is a Masonic educator. He has lectured in many blue lodges and Appendant bodies to include but not limited to Joppa Lodge No. 34, Petworth Lodge No. 47, Naval Lodge No. 4, Sojourner Kilwinning Article continued on page 24. More photos next page.

Presentation of the Past Grand Masters of Washington, D.C. |

Presentation of the Sovereign Grand Commander of the AASR, S.J. | Visiting Brethren from Canada. | The Grand Master-elect embraces the Grand Master of Haiti. | The Presiding Officers of D.C. Appendant Bodies. | Most Worshipful Brother Daniel A. Huertas presents his officers with gifts to thank them for their service. | Most Worshipful Brother Akram R. Elias, PGM is presented with the Distinguished Service Award of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, F.A.A.M. | The Sovereign Grand Commander addresses the Grand Lodge and visitors. | The 2022 Grand Lodge Officers.

Lodge No. 1798, National Stansbury-Dawson Lodge No. 12, Mount Vernon RAC No. 3 and Washington Commandery No. I. On January 23, 2010, He was honored to deliver the annual Robert Burns lecture scheduled in January of every year at Sojourner Kilwinning Lodge No. 1798.

GRAND LODGE APPOINTMENTS:

Grand Director of Ceremonies: 2013

Grand Pursuivant: 2014

Grand Marshal: 2015

Grand Master: December 2022

Honorary Memberships

Maynilad Lodge Lodge No. 1521

Harmony Lodge No 17

Alba Lodge No. 222

L'Haitienne Lodge No. 17

Lodge Constantine the Great, No.43 in Nis, Republic of Serbia

Poseidon Lodge No. 232, East of Constanta, Republic of Romania

Grand Lodge of San Marino, Republic of San Marino

AWARDS & HONORS:

Meritorious Service Award 2013: Jerusalem Lodge No. 3000

Ish Sodi Award 2013: Cryptic Masons of the District of Columbia

Meritorious Companion Award 2019: Grand Chapter RAC Washington, DC

Cryptic Mason of the Year 2020: Cryptic Masons of the District of Columbia

Secret Vault Award 2020: Cryptic Masons of the District of Columbia

Meritorious Service Award 2015:

Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar

Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH)

Elected May 2015, D.C. Scottish Rite.

33° Inspector General Honorary Coroneted August 2023: D.C. Scottish Rite

Valentine Reintzel Award 2015: Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C., F.A.A.M

2023 Grand Lodge Officers

Elected Officers

Grand Master: MWB Annas Fadludeen Kamara

Deputy Grand Master: RWB Jacob M. Bressman

Senior Grand Warden: RWB Eric B. Kuchner

Junior Grand Warden: RWB Chetin Durak

Grand Secretary: MWB Jeffrey D. Russell, PGM

Grand Treasurer: RWB Stephen R. Watkins

Grand Lecturer: RWB Christopher K. Mahaney

Senior Grand Deacon: RWB Jean-Paul Dongmo

Junior Grand Deacon: RWB Michael K. Greenwald

Senior Grand Steward: RWB George S. Nicol

Junior Grand Steward: RWB Michael O. Spencer

Appointed Officers

Daniel D. Darko: Grand Chaplain

Andre Vainqueur: Assistant Grand Chaplain

Carpenter Y. Arpa IV: Assistant Grand Chaplain

Daniel P. Dolan: Assistant Grand Chaplain

Burton S. Levy: Assistant Grand Chaplain

David G. Maylum: Assistant Grand Chaplain

Sylvanus J. A. Newstead: Grand Marshal

Hector M. Ramirez: Grand Tiler

Mario H. Angulo: Assistant Grand Tiler

Ricardo G. Estrada: Assistant Grand Tiler

Dennis A. Apeti: Assistant Grand Tiler

Fitzgerald O. Williams: Assistant Grand Tiler

George E. Perez: Grand Sword Bearer

Uzo Eric Chukwu: Assistant Grand Sword Bearer

Amid Kasamani: Grand Pursuivant

Teddy T. Karefa-Smart: Assistant Grand Pursuivant

Solomon S. Jackson: Assistant Grand Marshal

Phillip J. Palmer, Sr.: Grand Director of Ceremonies

Marco Fiorante: Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

Wayne T. Brough: Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

Andrew U. Hammer: Grand Historian & Deputy Grand Lecturer

Bogac Cetiner: Assistant Grand Historian

Jean A. Marcelin, Jr.: Grand Lodge Physician

John J. Pardalis: Assistant Grand Lodge Physician

Samuel Kanu: Assistant Grand Lodge Physician

Quardricos B. Driskell: Grand Orator

Emmanuel A. Findlay: Assistant Grand Orator

Elkanah E. Faux: Grand Preceptor

John D. Freemon: Assistant Grand Preceptor

Nicholas J. Sampogna: Grand Provost

Michael J. Trott: Assistant Grand Provost

Jacob Foko: Grand Photographer

Gouahon Roger Mensah: Assistant Grand Photographer

Fessou E. Lawson: Grand Almoner

Kevin L. Coy: Assistant Grand Almoner

Daniel A. Huertas: Grand Ambassador - South America

Wilfred Bankole-Gibson: Grand Ambassador - Africa

Teko A. Foly: Grand Ambassador - Appendant Bodies

Universal

Samuel Sampson: Grand Ambassador - Eurasia

Generoso D. Calonge: Grand Ambassador - Asia

Richard J. Bautista: Grand Representative - CMI

Antoine N. Assi: Deputy Grand Lecturer

Pierre Malko: Deputy Grand Lecturer

Anand A. Trivedi: Assistant Grand Lecturer

Dominador S. Carreon: Grand Standard Bearer

Sam W. Chin: Assistant Grand Standard Bearer

Donald R. Ferguson, Sr.: Assistant Grand Standard Bearer

Carlos A. Landazuri: Aide to the Grand Master

Bassem Kaissi: Aide to the Grand Master

Chad D. D’Amore: Aide to the Grand Master

Robb C. Mitchell: Aide to the Grand Master

Marwan Hinnawi: Aide to the Grand Master

Youssouf M. Diallo: Aide to the Grand Master

Wuilder E. Aguero: Aide to the Grand Master

Michael C. Graver: Aide to the Grand Master

James L. Frederique: Aide to the Grand Master

Yazan M. Jarrar: Aide to the Grand Master

Douglas N. Cohen: Aide to the Grand Master

Michael Yaich: Aide to the Grand Master

Robert G. Macauley: Aide to the Grand Master

Victor G. Taylor: Aide to the Grand Master

Juan J. Tassano: Aide to the Grand Master

Patrick N. Nnaji: Special Assistant to the Grand Master

Rowland O. Beckley: Special Assistant to the Grand Master

Gilbert Augustin: Special Assistant to the Grand Master

Pierrindo R. M. Palmer: Grand Musician

Nathaniel R. Streeter: Grand Musician

Egerton M Peters-John: Assistant Grand Musician

Larry A. Villegas-Perez: Grand Psychologist

Bilal M. Raschid: Spiritual Counselor to the Grand Master 