FEBRUARY 16 — Assalamualaikum and greetings of peace and prosperity!

First and foremost, allow me to introduce myself. I am Terence Isnani, a Filipino Muslim, an engineer working here in Sabah and a Freemason.

I am writing because one of your stories reported by Yiswaree Palansamy dated today, February 16, 2016, regarding Freemasonry which caught my utmost attention.

And it is an obligation incumbent upon me to educate people with the TRUTH about Freemasonry, for people who speak false of Freemasons’ core values are those who have haphazard information about the Fraternity.

I am a member of Freemason for 18 years, and never did my being a blue blooded member hamper me in practising my faith as a Muslim. Yes, there are rituals or initiations in accepting new members just like any other fraternity or organisation. But there is no such thing as illuminati kind of agenda.

Every Freemason practises the Tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

* Brotherly Love — each and every member extends his brotherly affection to every Brethren regardless of race, colour, beliefs, status in life, religion and creed. We always have that inner affection of brotherly love to each and every brethren. For we firmly believe that Freemasonry is a Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.

* Relief — every member of the Fraternity has charitable nature for we obligate ourselves to always extend relief to every worthy Brother who experiences misfortune in life. And beyond the circle of Freemasonry, we too extend charities to those who are underprivileged in society.

* Truth — this is the main reason why I am writing. For every Freemason is obligated to speak the Truth regardless of its consequence. In this Fraternity, we are bound and obligated to tell the Truth and nothing but the whole Truth.

I hope this little introduction of mine would somehow enlighten this person, Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, who thinks that Freemasonry is an illuminati. Let me tell him straight that what he thought of Freemasons was very wrong and untrue. Maybe what he needs most is to do some more research before making false and malicious accusations.

Let me end this with a quote from the poet Alexander Pope: A little learning is a dangerous thing!

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.