Turkish-American to Lead Washington Masonic Lodge
The son of a Turkish lobbyist in Washington was elected as the next leader of Potomac Lodge No. 5, a Masonic lodge in Georgetown, several Turkish newspapers reported on Wednesday. Çetin Durak, who is 28 years old, took over the post earlier this week. A report published in the Hürriyet daily said Durak, a University of Virginia graduate, was introduced to the lodge by masons who praised him as a “young, career oriented person with good morals, whose values are in line with Masonic values.” Durak's Father, Ünal Durak, is reportedly a good friend of former Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz. Today's Zaman understands Durak, who is an engineer by profession, was connected to the law firm and lobbying company Patton and Boggs, whose services were engaged by the Turkish Foreign Ministry in the late '90s. It was not clear whether Durak actively worked as a lobbyist, but his name is shown in the company's listing for its registration in Turkey.
The Potomac Lodge is the oldest Masonic lodge in the District of Columbia, according to its website. The lodge also stores a historic gavel used by George Washington. (TODAY'S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL)
Last modified onSaturday, 06 May 2017 10:07
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