SEPTEMBER 2019

VOL. 16 ISSUE VIII
METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2019
$
3
www.chaldeannews.com
HONORING
JIMMY
DEPORTATION
LEADS TO DEATH
OF COMMUNITY
MEMBER
INSIDE
ADVANCING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
CHANGES TO IRAQ’S SUPREME COURT
CHALDEAN SYNOD

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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2019
THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 16 ISSUE VIII
32
24
departments
6 FROM THE PUBLISHERS
BY MARTIN MANNA AND
SYLVESTER SANDIHA
Turning the page
8 FROM THE EDITOR
BY PAUL JONNA
In transition
on the cover
24 HONORING JIMMY
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
Deportation leads to death of community member
features
26 SOUTHFIELD NATIVE SEEKS
CITY COUNCIL SEAT
BY PAUL NATINSKY
28 CHALDEANS ARE LEAVING THEIR
MARK ON THE MUSIC SCENE
BY STEPHEN JONES
30 WORKING TOWARDS WORLDWIDE
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
BY SARAH KITTLE
37 38
10 IN MY VIEW
BY MARTIN MANNA
Deportations still a threat
11 YOUR LETTERS
12 GUEST COLUMN
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
This is what democracy looks like
14 IRAQ TODAY
BY ADHIB MIRI
Christians fear changes to
Iraq’s Supreme Court
16 NOTEWORTHY
17 CHALDEAN DIGEST
18 CHAI TIME
20 RELIGION
BY HOLY LAND ECUMENICAL FOUNDATION
Iraq: Final statement of
the Chaldean Synod
22 OBITUARIES
32 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE
BY LISA CIPRIANO
Fall football fun
34 CLASSIFIEDS
36 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET
BY HALIM SHEENA
What do you want to see?
37 EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

from the PUBLISHERS
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
ACTING EDITOR IN CHIEF
Paul Jonna
MANAGING EDITOR
Ashourina Slewo
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lisa Cipriano
Stephen Jones
Sarah Kittle
Paul Natinsky
Ashourina Slewo
Halim Sheena
ART & PRODUCTION
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Holly Yatooma
Razik Tomina
CLASSIFIEDS
Ashourina Slewo
SALES
Interlink Media
Sana Navarrette
Tania Yatooma
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 PER YEAR
CONTACT INFORMATION
Story ideas: edit@chaldeannews.com
Advertisements: ads@chaldeannews.com
Subscription and all other inquiries:
info@chaldeannews.com
Chaldean News
30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 101
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
www.chaldeannews.com
Phone: (248) 851-8600
Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);
Published monthly; Issue Date: September 2019
Subscriptions: 12 months, $25.
Publication Address:
30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334;
Permit to mail at periodicals postage rates
is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office
Postmaster: Send address changes to
“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy.,
Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”
Turning the page
When we began this venture
more than 15 years ago,
we knew that the publication
we were creating was important,
not just to the Chaldean community,
but to all the communities with
whom we interact.
The Chaldean News (CN) has
grown to be more than a publication,
more than a media outlet. Since the
creation of the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce (CACC) and
the Chaldean Community Foundation
(CCF), the strength of the Chaldean
community in metro Detroit has
grown as well. The CN is the natural
hub. It is poised to be the main source
for breaking news and most up-to-date
resources for Chaldeans, not just in
Southeast Michigan but worldwide.
The acquisition of The Chaldean
News by the CCF seems organic.
Who better to further engage
the community than an organization
that engages the community daily—
helping, teaching, and assisting with
life-changing issues? The CCF works
with our community on both sides of
Woodward Avenue and is growing to
meet the needs of a rising population.
Construction has begun on a
19,000 square foot expansion to the
CCF in Sterling Heights and is expected
to launch next spring on a $25
million mixed use/affordable housing
development just a few miles to the
northeast of the Center. Amid all this
disruption, staff is working with government
officials and attorneys to advocate
for those at risk of deportation
and help create a stable support base.
With its mission of improving the
stability, health and wellness of those
they serve through advocacy, acculturation,
community development
MARTIN
MANNA
PUBLISHER
SYLVESTER
SANDIHA
CHAIRMAN
Who better to
further engage the
community than
an organization
that engages the
community daily?
and cultural preservation, the CCF has
a record of providing support and services
to the community. The Chamber
of Commerce (CACC) in Farmington
Hills provides resources and training
for the business community, encouraging
dialogue between all.
The CACC and CCF share a
mission of service to the community,
with the CCF as the heartbeat. Their
core work includes acculturation for
new Americans, breaking barriers for
those with special needs, behavioral
health services, assistance with transportation
and medical care, and cultural
preservation. The CCF brings
to the table established partnerships
such as with Mango Languages, creating
an app to preserve and sustain
the Aramaic tongue.
Adding the resources of the
CACC and CCF to the CN mix allows
the publication to expand coverage
to include more broad-based
topics that affect our community.
Things are happening on all levels
that affect our daily lives, our schools,
and our churches. The newspaper
will provide more in-depth coverage
and will grow with the entire organization.
Already, research is being
conducted on rolling out a bilingual
section, launching an app and offering
more digital services.
We understand that we have a
large audience, from the old school
to the new, and we want to honor all
of you as we honor the history and
tradition of the newspaper. The nonprofit
status afforded under the Foundation
umbrella will allow us access
to resources we didn’t have before.
The CCF was built not only to
serve the current community, but to
support future generations. Providing
auto loans year-round and presenting
college scholarships every fall are just
two of the ways in which we do that.
The purchase of the CN will allow
us to do even more. Embracing new
technologies at the same time ensuring
no one is left behind; this publication
is prepared to meet the needs
of the entire community.
Guided by our mission of service,
the Chaldean News will celebrate
our community’s accomplishments,
contributions, and blessings while
keeping you informed as we look to
our exciting future.
Yours in Service,
Sylvester Sandiha
Martin Manna
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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN 8/16/19 NEWS 10:55 AM7

from the EDITOR
In transition
Since becoming the Chief
Operating Officer at
the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce
(CACC) and the Chaldean
Community Foundation
(CCF), I have had the honor
of working with an amazing
group of dedicated people that
are committed to furthering
the success of our community.
Every day brings new challenges,
adventures and lessons. In
this role, I continuously find myself
taking on new projects that I would
have never even thought of doing
before working with the CACC and
CCF. Regardless of whether we are
planning a comedy show, building a
mental health program or advocating
for the halt of deportations, we
are guided by our core values to dig
deeper to obtain the best possible
resolution.
As many of you may know, the
CCF recently acquired
the Chaldean News.
With this acquisition, I
have taken on the role
of Acting Editor.
These last few weeks
in the role have been
exciting and informative.
While I may not
be an editor by trade, I
have enjoyed learning
the ropes and contributing
my own thoughts
and ideas to this publication, while
learning more about the readers and
incorporating their opinions as well.
I am thrilled to learn from those
folks who know the paper through
and through. The team that has
comprised the Chaldean News for a
long time has their own thoughts,
ideas, and criticisms.
As acting editor, I am happy to
take all of this in as the publication
evolves to meet the growing needs
PAUL JONNA
ACTING EDITOR
IN CHIEF
of the community. I look forward to
the changes that will come and to
lending a unique perspective as an
attorney with a background in communication.
Some things we hope to do now
that the CCF has acquired the CN
include covering a broader range of
topics that provoke meaningful conversations
across communities, lean
in to new technology that allow our
readers to read our publication across
a variety of platforms and more importantly,
provide readers with the
latest news.
This is a time of transition for our
publication and for our team. Bear
with us as we work to bring you the
best content we can.
We’re hitting the ground running
as we discuss recent events that have
impacted the community. On our
cover, we have the story of Jimmy
Aldaoud who was forcibly deported
to Iraq despite being born in Greece
and living the majority of his life
right here in Michigan. Penned by
Ashourina Slewo, Jimmy’s story is a
tragic one that is important to the
broader issues of deportation.
In this issue we have also included
a summary of the recent Ministerial
to Advance Religious Freedom
and the Chaldean Synod, both topics
pertinent to our community here
as well as the homeland.
Beyond these pieces, you can
also read about Sara Habbo, a young
Chaldean woman who is seeking
election to the Southfield City
Council.
We have a variety of topics covered
in this issue, each affecting the
community in one way or another.
As we move forward, please feel
free to reach out to the team with any
ideas or topics you would like to see
covered in the ever-evolving publication
that is The Chaldean News.
We value your opinion. Send
comments, suggestions, and constructive
criticisms to edit@chaldeannews.com.
Paul Jonna
Acting Editor in Chief
8 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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in my VIEW
Deportation still a threat
BY MARTIN MANNA
In 2014, Secretary Kerry labeled
the atrocities committed against
Christians and other minorities in
Iraq a genocide. Vice President Pence
reaffirmed the designation in 2017
but that has had little impact on the
Trump’s Administration’s plans to deport
members of our community.
Despite recognizing that Iraq is
highly dangerous, particularly for
religious and ethnic minorities, on
June 11, 2017, U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) began
arresting and detaining a large number
of Iraqi nationals – most of whom
are Chaldeans – in preparation for
deportation.
On July 24, 2017, the District
Court for the Eastern District of
Michigan issued a preliminary injunction
barring the government
from executing removal orders
against petitioners, citing the U.S.
Department of State travel advisory
on Iraq. The State Department developed
a four-tier travel advisory
for foreign travel and placed Iraq in
“Level 4: Do not travel.” The Department
of State’s Iraq Travel Advisory
bluntly states “Do not travel to Iraq
due to terrorism and armed conflict.”
Citing the “high risk of violence
and kidnapping,” the Department
of State recognizes that “numerous
terrorist and insurgent groups are active
in Iraq and regularly attack both
Iraqi security forces and civilians.”
In addition, the Department of
State travel advisory also advises that
“attacks by improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) occur frequently in many areas
of the country, including Baghdad.”
The Department of State’s Human
Rights Report has further documented
numerous human rights violations
occurring in Iraq, including:
Unlawful killings; torture and
other cruel punishments; poor conditions
in prison facilities, denial of
fair public trials; arbitrary arrest; arbitrary
interference with privacy and
home; limits on freedoms of speech,
assembly, and association due to sectarianism
and extremist threats; lack
of protection of stateless persons;
wide-scale governmental corruption
human trafficking; and limited exercise
of labor rights.”
These violations have been perpetuated
by groups including ISIL,
Iraqi government security and law
enforcement personnel, and Shiite
militias. In sum, Iraq today is unsafe,
unstable, and rife with human rights
violations.
The safety and security of Iraq’s
Christian and other religious minority
populations is of extremely grave
concern. Recently, the Iraqi Parliament
passed laws counter to their
religion and the Iraqi Constitution
does not permit laws to exist that are
counter to Islam, stating that Islam is
the supreme law of the land.
While the instability in Iraq
threatens many religious and ethnic
minorities, Chaldeans are at particular
and heightened risk of violence.
As religious and ethnic minorities,
Chaldeans face extreme persecution
in Iraq. Although ethnic and religious
minorities have lived together
in some regions of Iraq for centuries,
this dynamic is currently under siege.
Today, areas that are home to these
minorities, such as the Nineveh province,
are under siege by terrorists.
President Trump should use his
authority to halt these deportations.
The President has the ability reduce
or eliminate the risk of deportation
for non-violent felons, most of whom
perpetuated a crime decades ago and
have already served time. He can use
his authority by directing the Department
of Homeland Security to
provide the following types of relief:
While the instability
in Iraq threatens
many religious and
ethnic minorities,
Chaldeans are
at particular and
heightened risk of
violence.
Pardons: The underlying federal
criminal offenses could be pardoned,
which would invalidate factual basis
of entire immigration proceedings.
This will not, however, confer status,
so would also require asylum or other
immigration relief. Potential avenue,
if available, would be sponsorship by
USC family members. If pardons are
not an option, consider providing legal
status to those that qualify.
Grant Motions to Reopen: Many of
the Chaldeans who are under threat of
removal have pending motions to reopen.
ICE could stipulate to these motions
which would lift the final orders of
removal and would allow the aliens to
pursue new claims in immigration court
including withholding of removal.
Grant Stays of Removal: ICE could
grant a stay of removal for impacted
members of the community who are
under a final order of removal. A stay
would not eliminate the final order of
removal but would allow the individuals
to remain in the US and would allow
them to secure work authorization.
Grant Deferred Action: DHS
(through either ICE or USCIS) could
grant members of the community deferred
action for a proscribed period
of time. Deferred action would delay
the imposition of the final order of removal
and would also allow the beneficiary
to secure work authorization.
Like a stay of removal, deferred
action is a form of prosecutorial discretion
that has typically been used
by DHS for humanitarian reasons.
In September, I’ll be making my
fourth appearance to a federal court
on behalf of a friend who has lived in
the U.S. without incident for more
than 25 years. He was picked up by
ICE just before Christmas last year.
He ended up spending six months
in Calhoun County Jail before being
released in June. The crime he committed
happened over 35 years ago.
He’s now in his 60s. After everything
he has endured, he is still not free
from the risk of deportation to Iraq.
Our federal government needs to
intervene quickly and directly with
actions described above or by other
means to protect individuals from
facing uncertain atrocities and harm
in Iraq. We must stay vigilant until
the laws are changed to protect our
people and other innocent people
from an unjust fate.
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10 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

your LETTERS
Congratulations!
I wanted to congratulate you on
bringing the Chaldean News under
the Foundation umbrella and to
express my sorrow in the death of
Jimmy Aldaoud. Respecting our laws
and current immigration policies,
regardless of Jimmy’s challenges and
criminal activity, he did not deserve to
die. I think his treatment, the reality of
the Chaldean’s jailed and countless
other affronts to people who are not
white and are currently or recently
part of the migration process is part of a
bigger effort to signal to resentful white
people that the president stands with
them. My fear is many more will suffer
during the next 15 months leading up
to the election.
In light of Jimmy’s death, I wanted
to make sure I asked if there was
anything the 78-year-old Roundtable
might do to be helpful. I never
presume help is needed or if it is,
what that looks like.
Onward,
Steve Spreitzer, President & CEO
Michigan Roundtable for
Diversity and Inclusion
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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 11

GUEST column
PHOTO COURTESY LAMP LEFT MEDIA/NEW AMERICAN LEADERS
New American
Leaders Ready to
Win 2019 Cohort.
This is what democracy looks like
Growing up as a
person of color
in the United
States, I regularly struggled
to find people in
positions of leadership
I could identify with.
Where were the people
that looked like me? The
people that knew what
my community needed?
Positions of American
leadership were not for us,
I thought. They were not created
for us to hold or to be represented
by. The system was not designed
with us in mind.
I found this to be especially true
as I became increasingly involved
in political campaigns following my
father’s release from Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
detention. People of color running
for office had to take into consideration
what white candidates would
never have to take into account:
how would their brown skin and
cultural background affect their
chances of being elected.
In the words of Sayu Bhojwani,
author of People Like Us and founder
and president of New American
Leaders, “American leadership remains
overwhelmingly white, male,
moneyed, and Christian.”
Even as I worked alongside
qualified and driven candidates, I
felt disheartened to find that folks
looked past their qualifications and
everything else that made them
worthy candidates to ask about
ASHOURINA
SLEWO
MANAGING
EDITOR
what they were and where
they came from as if that
were the ultimate qualifier.
In the introduction
of People Like Us, Bhojwani
asserts that while
the founding fathers may
have envisioned a representative
democracy “by
the people, for the people,
and of the people,” we are
not the people these leaders
had in mind.
Which left me questioning how
people like us would ever be represented
in today’s democracy.
We push and challenge the status
quo.
This is where New American
Leaders (NAL) comes in. Founded
by Bhojwani, NAL is the only national
organization that specifically
focuses on preparing immigrant
leaders to run for public office.
In February of this year, I participated
in the organizations Ready to
Lead program in Dearborn, Mich.
Ready to Lead was an introduction
to owning my immigrant story and
using it as an asset. The program is
designed by immigrants, for immigrants.
During this program I learned
how to use my experience as a first
generation American to become a
successful candidate. Despite learning
how to message, target, fundraise,
and own my story, I decided I
didn’t want to run for public office.
I like being behind the scenes.
I like working to elect candidates
worthy of being public servants.
So, when the opportunity to
apply for NAL’s Ready to Win program
came up, I applied to take part
in the campaign staff training.
Ready to Win is a two-track
campaign training program for New
American fellows and people who
want to work on campaigns.
I joined 43 other dedicated individuals
in Washington, D.C. for
four days where we learned the ins
and outs of building a successful
campaign. From direct voter contact
and targeted universes to babysitting
candidates during call time
and fundraising, we were equipped
with the knowledge and skills we
needed to work on campaigns.
Beyond that, we were putting
the things we were learning directly
to the test as we worked on an
intense campaign simulation. As
a nonpartisan organization, some
groups were tasked with building
a campaign plan for a Democrat
while others built a campaign plan
for Republican.
Working with the republican
candidate, I felt, would be the ultimate
test of my skills. My group and
I poured over the logistics and put
together a campaign we believed
would give us a win. We strategically
created a campaign that broke
down every logistic from how many
doors we would need to canvass,
how much money we would need to
raise, what communities we would
target and how, when our direct
mail program would drop, and so
many other nerdy details that I was
living for.
Throughout the weekend, I
found myself to be pleasantly surprised
by how much I actually
knew about running a campaign.
With each session, I found myself
contributing to the conversation.
However, it was during our campaign
plan presentation that I felt
my abilities were reaffirmed.
It also didn’t hurt that my group
won the campaign simulation,
which was judged by professionals.
My days spent in D.C. were eye
opening and inspiring. While I
enjoyed working to put together a
campaign plan and learning about
what it takes to run a successful
campaign, what I really took away
from the training was that while the
system was not created with people
of color in mind, we could change
that.
Forty four people of color sat in
a room with the common goal of
making space at the table for everyone
that looked like us.
The things we learned are about
so much more than winning campaigns.
It’s about reaffirming the
fact that we belong here. We belong
at the table. We belong in all these
spaces where important, life altering
decisions are being made.
So, yeah, I learned how to put
together a badass GOTV program,
but I also learned that we can make
this system work for everyone. Including
New Americans.
12 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

CHALDEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
14th Annual Business Luncheon
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019
Join us and several congressional leaders as we discuss the state of business in the state of Michigan.
Andy Levin
Congressional
Representative
Brenda Lawrence
Congressional
Representative
Charlie Langton
Moderator
Fox 2 News
Legal Analyst
Haley Stevens
Congressional
Representative
John Moolenaar
Congressional
Representative
11:00 a.m. Check-in & Networking
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch & Discussion
Cost: Gold Sponsor: $10,000
Includes branding, exhibit space, twenty tickets with premium seating, mention in the
Chamber newsletter and Chamber website and opportunity to speak at the event and
provide attendees with promotional item(s)
Silver Sponsor: $5,000
Includes branding, exhibit space, ten tickets with premium seating, mention in the Chamber
newsletter and Chamber website and opportunity to provide attendees with promotional item(s)
Bronze Sponsor: $1,500
Includes branding, exhibit space, ten tickets with premium seating, mention in Chamber
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Individual Tickets
Members:
Non-Members:
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$75 each or $750 for table of ten
Location:
Reservations:
Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel
2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit MI 48323
To reserve your seat or for sponsorship opportunities please contact
Sarah Kittle at 248-851-1200 or skittle@chaldeanchamber.com.
Sponsored by:
SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 13

IRAQ today
Christians fear changes to Iraq’s Supreme Court
BY ADHID MIRI
Iraq’s legislature is considering a
bill that would change the composition
of the country’s Supreme
Court. The change would include
the addition of Islamic scholars,
which has stirred controversy over
how much influence Islam should
have in government.
As early as September 2019, Iraq’s
parliament will vote on a bill affecting
federal Courts which for the first
time, provides for mullahs, Muslims
learned in Islamic theology, to sit as
judges on the nation’s highest court.
Furthermore, it confers these Islamic
judges with enhanced powers to veto
laws they deem to contradict with
Islam – laws passed by the duly elected
parliament. These jurists would
likely be drawn from Iraq’s dominant
Twelvers branch of Shia Islam,
which is also Iran’s ruling sect.
The new law will poise Iraq to
follow Iran’s legal structure and curb
religious freedom. It would executively
align Iraqi judiciary with Iran’s
theocratic governance which would
undermine Iraq’s fragile democracy
and jeopardize religious freedom and
other basic rights.
Under the proposed law, the court
would be composed of a president, his
deputy and 11 members, of which four
of the 11 members are Islamic scholars
with veto power. All the members
would be selected and approved by
“the three presidencies” — the president
of the republic, the prime minister,
and the parliament speaker.
The parliamentary blocs reject
the proposal; they believe parliament
should exclusively hold the power to
approve these members. The Kurdish
blocs want to be represented on the
court by two Kurdish members as the
court’s power extends over the entire
country of Iraq, which includes the
autonomous Kurdistan region.
Amid numerous disputes, some
political parties in the country expect
a delay of the bill’s third, and
final reading. This proposed law is
a delicate matter as it confers to
the Court several important powers
which includes interpreting constitutional
texts, supervising the
implementation of laws, and settling
disputes between local governments
and the federal government.
Fear of Islamization of the judiciary
in the country stems from Article 92 of
the constitution which includes scholars
in Islamic jurisprudence as members
of the Federal Supreme Court. The dispute
now is whether their role should
be solely advisory or if they should be
designated to vote on all decisions.
In a multireligious country such
as Iraq, appointing clerics to the
highest judicial authority will lead
to disputes over who should appoint
them and what body they represent.
Minorities fear the Court could turn
into a Supreme religious authority as
clerics could block any decision the
Court might make otherwise.
This opening for mullahs on the
highest court as judges with veto
powers risks putting “Iraq’s judiciary
in the company of those in Iran,
Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan,” according
to the American adviser for Iraq’s
constitution Noah Feldman, a Harvard
law professor.
Iraqi civic society activists, expressed
fears this bill would turn the
court into a “Supreme religious authority.”
Iraq’s Christians are also alarmed,
as their leaders have lodged complaints
with the U.S. and Iraqi governments.
The proposed law would establish a
replica of the Islamic regime in Iran
and could substantially alter the court’s
function thereby promoting an increasingly
theocratic state wherein religious
rules take precedence over the
existing, mostly secular, legal system.
The proposed law cements sectarian
divisions and grants sectarian
voices more power than elected legal
authorities. The political parties in
power control the way members of
the court are appointed and determine
their jurisdiction. Each party
wants to maintain as much influence
as possible at the Supreme Court.
Iraq’s Christians expressed fears
that giving Islamic clerics voting and
veto rights in the Federal Supreme
Court could lead the country towards
becoming a theocracy. Christian and
minorities fear the attempt to add Islamic
Clerics to Iraq’s Supreme Court
means Sharia Law would always take
precedence and establish a ‘Religious
State’ in Iraq. A theocracy means new
laws may be established based on Islam
affecting freedoms such as clothing
choice, alcohol use, and social life.
Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako,
head of the Chaldean Church, publicly
opposed the law. In a letter to the
Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, he
wrote that the proposal could threaten
the future of Christians in the country,
“after all the suffering we have endured
from terrorism, displacement, pillaging,
murder, and property theft”.
Discrimination and an uncertain
future are the main reasons behind
the migration of Iraqi Christians
and minorities. In the 1970s, Christians
composed five percent of Iraq’s
population and after the fall of the
previous regime in 2003, Christians
became violently targeted by terrorists
which reduced their population
to less than two percent. Therefore,
governmental priority should be to
preserve and protect Christian and
minority rights and identities.
The U.S. continues to invest heavily
in shoring up Iraq’s sovereign democracy.
The new American ambassador,
Matthew Tueller, met with Iraq’s
justice minister to pledge support for
human rights protection and has visited
leaders in Nineveh, Iraq to report
the U.S. commitment to rebuild communities
and protect minority groups
attacked by ISIS. These measures
won’t succeed if Iraq follows Iran’s governing
system of Islamic jurist rule.
As Iraqi expats, Chaldean Americans
firmly believe that the Iraqi parliament
and its citizens need to unify,
synthesize, and discuss a new amendment
that guarantees equal religious
freedom to all citizens. The article
shall state “Islam is one of the guiding
principles of legislations” and not the
current vague provision that states “no
law may be enacted that contradicts
the established provisions of Islam” -
Iraq’s 2005 Constitution (article 2).
Iraqi Christians and other sects
who suffered in silence for many decades
must voice their opinions and
lead the stride for new solutions. If
Christians remain silent and fail to
take serious steps to change the situation,
then the remaining Christians
and minorities will immigrate which
sacrifices the beautiful national cultural
diversity of Iraq.
Chaldeans must impact the process
and stand united with other ethnic
minorities against this archaic injustice.
This law is a stab in the heart
of the civil state and a dagger in the
back of religious minorities.
Changes to Iraq’s Supreme Court
could detrimentally affect Christians.
It must be made clear that Christians
and other ethnic minorities matter
and are equal under the law. If the
law is approved, more Christians
will leave Iraq and will become just
a memory, just like the Iraqi Jews.
Any departure from this civil human
rights doctrine sadly signals the tragic
demise of Christianity in Iraq
14 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
Help Wanted!
Please consider hiring one of
our many new Americans.
More than 30,000 Chaldean refugees have migrated to Michigan since 2007. Many
possess the skills and determination to work hard for you and your organization.
The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) has a bank of resumes
of candidates qualified to do a variety of jobs. To inquire about hiring a
New American, call or email Elias at 586-722-7253 or
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org.
Chaldean Community Foundation
Sterling Heights Office
3601 15 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
586-722-7253
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

noteworthy
Improvements at
Shenandoah
A plan to improve Shenandoah
Country Club’s golf course has
been approved after several years
of careful deliberation by the
Shenandoah Country Club Board
of Directors, members of the golf
committee and the golf course
construction committee. The improvement
plans will target holes
14 and 15, in addition to the
overall water drainage issues. The
country club has consulted with
a number of professionals to determine
the price range of repairs
and through extensive research,
have found the estimated cost
of repairs to be approximately
$700,000. A special meeting was
hosted on August 20 where the
board convened to receive membership
approval of the plan for
the improvements.
Academic
Scholarships for
the Community
The Chaldean Community
Foundation (CCF) has launched
their Academic Scholarship
Program. Through support from
w3r Consulting, the Nona family,
and Dr. Nathima and Peter
Atchoo, the CCF will be awarding
10 students with scholarships
totaling $30,000. All qualifying
recipients will be awarded at the
Chaldean Community Foundation’s
2nd Annual Awards Dinner
Gala on Thursday, November
14, 2019 at the Palazzo Grande
in Shelby Township. The deadline
to apply is October 4. Students
can apply online at www.
chaldeanfoundation.org
CCF Census
Awareness
Program
Census Day is April 1, 2020! The
Chaldean Community Foundation
(CCF) launched a 2020
Census awareness campaign to
promote and support a fair and accurate
count in the 2020 United
States Census. “The primary goal
of the 2020 Census is to county
everyone once, only once, and in
the right place.”
Breaking Barriers Celebrates Seven Successful Years
More than 200 attendees packed St. Josephs Chaldean
Catholic Church Hall on Saturday, August 17 to celebrate
a successful and groundbreaking program from the
Chaldean Community Foundation.
The Breaking Barriers program provides service and advocacy
to those with special needs. Started in 2012, the program
includes group recreation events, meditation with Michigan
state agencies for those with special needs, referrals to service
providers for additional needs and respite for caregivers.
Families who have benefitted from the program filled
the church for a celebration of its successes. The festivities
included a five-course dinner, family photos, and dancing,
courtesy of entertainers, DJ and Zarna Tubil. The dance
Back-to-School Event with Utica Community Schools
and Warren Consolidated School District
The Chaldean Community Foundation hosted two separate, well attended back-to-school events with Utica Community
Schools and Warren Consolidated School District this month, with more than 50 families in attendance for each.
Both school districts provided information on what parents need to know for the upcoming school year, including information
on school nutrition, PowerSchool, transportation and parent involvement. Families received a backpack with
school supplies to get them started for the school year.
Enriching Young Minds
floor was full all night as attendees capped off another successful
year for the program.
Over seven years the program has expanded to include
two new projects. Braille, English as a Second Language,
Acculturation and Mobility (B.E.A.M.) helps those
with visual impairments become better equipped to live
independent lives. Hard of Hearing, English as a Second
Language, American Sign Language and Life Skills
(H.E.A.L.) helps those with hearing impairments on the
path to independence as well.
Those interested in learning more about the Breaking
Barriers program are encouraged to contact the Chaldean
Community Foundation at (586) 722-7253.
On July 18, The Chaldean Cultural Center hosted the Holy Martyrs Chaldean Catholic Church Summer Camp. A
total of 94 students and volunteers attended the event. Students were divided into groups and were sent on their way to
enrich their knowledge of their ancestors, their faith, the villages, the Journey to America, and where the future may take
them. The students also enjoyed their afternoon having lunch and learned Chaldean dances. Tours can be scheduled by
visiting chaldeanculturalcenter.org
16 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

chaldean DIGEST
What others are saying about Chaldeans
Why Detroiters shut down a gas station for 5 days
DETROIT FREE PRESS
BY NANCY KAFFER
LOS ANGELES TIMES
BY MELISSA ETEHAD, NABIH BULOS
For many in Detroit’s Iraqi Chaldean
Catholic community, the election
of President Trump appeared a positive
development. They envisioned
a bright future with an administration
led by a man who had advocated
strongly on behalf of Christian minorities
in majority-Muslim countries.
Chaldean and Arab Americans
own roughly 300 gas stations in
this majority black city, according to
the Arab American News.
It’s not news that this can lead to
conflict. Gas station workers are often
targeted by criminals who see the
stores as easy targets, and clerks as acceptable
collateral damage. Residents
often view owners with no organic
ties to the community as indifferent,
just out to make a buck, a perception
perpetuated by those who stock
expired food, provide poor lighting
around pumps and parking lots, or racially
profile their customers.
Those are the inequities the Detroit
Coalition for Peace’s 16-point
plan is meant to address, and most
Iraqi Chaldeans supported Trump.
Now one of their own died after being deported
“Christians in the Middle-East
have been executed in large numbers,”
Trump tweeted in 2017. “We
cannot allow this horror to continue!”
A few months into his presidency,
however, scores of Iraqi
immigrants were swept up in immigration
enforcement raids for
overstaying visas or criminal convictions.
Many are Christians who
fled their war-torn homeland, some
Priest says Chaldeans in northern Iraq
face uncertainty in return to homes
CATHOLICPHILLY.COM
BY DENNIS SADOWSKI
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Chaldean
Christians in northern Iraq
are determined to continue their
2,000-year-long mission despite the
near-deadly blow inflicted by Islamic
State forces and new challenges from
nongovernment militias, said a priest
ministering in the region.
“The situation is so complicated
in Iraq, but our faith and principles
are that Christian religious communities
should be there. Our mission is
to be there and not in another place,”
Chaldean Father Thabet Habib told
Catholic News Service July 17.
“We have faith at this time. We
feel the hope. That gives me a sense
to be optimistic,” the priest said after
addressing a session during day two of
the second Ministerial to Advance
Religious Freedom sponsored by the
Chaldean Catholics celebrate Mary, culture,
family at Ohio National Shrine
CATHOLIC SUN
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
CAREY, Ohio (CNS) — With its
one stoplight and surrounding cornfields,
the small Ohio village of Carey
seems an unlikely travel destination.
Yet, once a year, an estimated
5,000 visitors swell the town population
to more than double.
For nine days, climaxing on the
evening of Aug. 14, scores of charter
buses drop off pilgrims, most of
whom are Iraqi Christians. Hundreds
of families fill a five-acre plot with
tents, recreational vehicles, Middle
Eastern food and music.
“We feel that we’re like in our old
village back home. Like when I walk
around, I know a lot of people,” said
of it sounds like good advice for any
business: Provide customer service
training for all staff and employees.
Don’t sell loosies or other illegal
products. Make sure the building is
safe and clean. Hire employees from
the community.
But that 16-point plan was developed
after another shooting of a
black customer by an Arab-American
clerk…
when they were children decades ago.
Since then, the community — in
a state that could prove crucial in the
coming presidential election — has
been on edge. News last week of the
death of a Detroit man who was deported
to Iraq two months ago has
heightened fears. Some view it as a
prime example of how Trump has
turned his back on a community he
promised to protect.
U.S. Department of State.
Father Habib recounted a story of
determination on the part of Christian
families who were forced to flee
towns and villages on Iraq’s Ninevah
Plain just ahead of advancing Islamic
State forces in August 2014 to an audience
of 300 at the United States Institute
of Peace. The session was part
of a daylong look at religious freedom
in development and humanitarian assistance.
Khalid Markos, who is now a resident
of Sterling Heights, Michigan,
but was born in Alanish, Iraq.
His family, like most of the pilgrims,
fled from war and persecution in their
home country. Now exiled refugees, they
have found consolation by celebrating
their faith and traditions at the aptly
named Basilica and National Shrine of
Our Lady of Consolation in Carey.
Assyrian genocide
remembered in Turlock
TURLOCK JOURNAL
BY ANGELINA MARTIN
As Turlock’s Assyrian community
convened for the third annual
Assyrian Genocide Remembrance at
Stanislaus State on Wednesday, they
chose to not only remember their fallen
ancestors as martyrs, but as heroes.
Lawmakers, city leaders, university
officials and other ethnic community
members joined in solidarity with local
Assyrians to commemorate Martyrs
Day, a day to remember the victims
of genocides perpetrated against their
nation, such as the Turkish genocide
of Assyrians that claimed the lives of
750,000 Assyrians between 1915 and
1918, as well as the lives of 1.5 million
Armenians and 500,000 Pontic Greeks.
Aug. 7 was chosen as Martyrs Day
because of the massacre of Assyrians in
August 1933 in north Iraq, which was
conducted by the Iraqi Army and Arab
and Kurdish irregulars. During that
three-day period, 3,000 Assyrians in
the town of Simmele were massacred.
Chaldean Church
delegation meets with
Kurdistan President,
highlights religious
coexistence, tolerance
KURDISTAN 24
BY HIWA SHILANI
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation
from the Chaldean Catholic Church on
Wednesday met with Kurdistan Region
President Nechirvan Barzani to congratulate
him on his appointment as leader
of the autonomous Kurdish region.
Louis Raphaël I Sako, who is the
current Patriarch of Babylon of the
Chaldeans and head of the Chaldean
Catholic Church in Iraq and the
world, led the delegation which included
several of the church’s pastors.
In the meeting, the delegation
extended its congratulations to the
president and wished him success in
taking up his responsibilities as the
leader of the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani and the Catholic
delegation highlighted the current
circumstances of Christians in
general and the Chaldeans, in particular,
in Iraq and Kurdistan.
SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

CHAI time
CHALDEANS CONNECTING
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT SEPTEMBER 2019
Wednesday, September 4
New Orleans Summer Cruise Series: Set
sail for an easy-going adventure, New Orleans-style!
The Crescent City, built around
the graceful curve of the Mississippi River,
will be represented on board with chefmanned
action stations loaded with Cajun-
Creole cuisine, and sweets, along with handcrafted
cocktails and spirits. Setting sail from
the Port Detroit Dock, this event is priced at
$105 per person. Tickets can be purchased
online at www.summercruiseseries.com
Thursday, September 5
Wine and Dine in the D: Wine and Dine in
the D is a strolling dining experience featuring
cuisine from 20 of Metro Detroit’s finest
restaurants, wines, craft beer and spirits
from Michigan and around the world and
live entertainment by the Ursula Walker/
Buddy Budson Quintet. Proceeds raised
go to Cure Multiple Myeloma Corporation
to assist Michigan myeloma patients and to
the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
(MMRF), which funds research for a cure.
This year Wine and Dine in the D will take
over the entire fourth floor of the Westin
Book Cadillac on Thursday, September
5. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a
Multiple Myeloma roundtable by prominent
doctors from around the country, followed
by the wining and dining at 6:00. Tickets for
the event are $175 per person, and $275 for
Patron tickets, which include admission to
an Afterglow reception featuring a collection
of extremely exceptional and rare Champagne.
Discounts are available for Multiple
Myeloma patients. For more information,
visit curemultiplemyeloma.org or call (248)
449-6663.
Sunday, September 8
Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo: The Detroit
Zoological Society will host its annual Run
Wild for the Detroit Zoo, sponsored by Ford
Motor Company, on Sunday, September 8.
The event includes 5K and 10K runs, the
Too Wild! 5K+10K combo, plus a non-competitive
Fun Walk. Run Wild for the Detroit
Zoo raises critical funds for the Ruth Roby
Glancy Animal Health Complex and veterinary
care for the animals at the Detroit Zoo
and Belle Isle Nature Center. All participants
receive a commemorative T-shirt, water
bottle and a collectible finisher medal upon
completion of the race. Afterward, join us for
some fun at the Post-Race Party, sponsored
by Kroger! For more information or to register,
visit detroitzoo.org/runwild.
Thursday, September 12
Artworks Detroit: Join Matric Human Services
on Thursday, September 12, for the
24th annual benefit event, ArtWorks Detroit.
As Detroit’s premier art auction, ArtWorks
Detroit will feature live and silent auctions
of donated works from renowned local artists.
Hosted by art powerhouse couples,
Carmen and George N’namdi, Karen and Ed
Ogul, Linda and David Whitaker at Eastern
Market’s Wasserman Gallery, attendees will
also enjoy complimentary drinks, food tastings,
and entertainment for an exciting evening
worthy of the Detroit art community.
Matrix Human Services provides extensive
human services and care to all segments
of the community, from early childhood programs,
through teens at risk, to adult workforce
and financial education, HIV prevention
and aftercare plus supportive services for seniors
in need. VIP Tickets are $150. General
Admission Tickets are $100. Both ticket options
can be purchased at ArtWorksDetroit.
org. For sponsorship or volunteer information,
contact Kerrie Mitchell at kmitchell@matrixhs.org
or 313-962-5255 ext. 1307
Saturday, September 21
Cattle Barron’s Ball: Kick up your boots
and saddle up for the 17th annual American
Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball on
Saturday, September 21 at the Suburban
Collection Showplace in Novi. Join honorary
chair Chris Couch of Cooper Standard
and Detroit’s top executives and community
leaders for a Night of Hope, leading the fight
for a cancer-free world. Detroit’s favorite
southwestern shindig features cowboyinspired
cuisine, exceptional live and silent
auctions and boot-scootin’ entertainment
and dancing. Guests will also have a special
opportunity to fund pediatric cancer research.
Limited sponsorship opportunities
and individual tickets are still available. To
purchase tickets or learn more, call 248-
663-3401 or visit cbbdetroit.org.
Friday, September 27
18-Hour Movie Marathon: Join the Community
House Foundation, in partnership with
the Emagine Palladium in Birmingham, for
its 2019 18-hour Movie Marathon from 1:00
p.m. Friday, September 27, until 6:00 a.m.
Saturday, September 28. This unique fundraising
event engages movie buffs, families
in the community, and Community House
supporters for an 18-hour movie-watching
experience to benefit The Community
House’s children’s program and services.
For accumulative pledges of $100 or more,
per moviegoer, complimentary all you can
eat/drink popcorn, soda, dinner, midnight
snack and continental breakfast. Family
Pack: $50 for up to two movies, including
soda and popcorn, and dinner for two adults
and two children (3:00 to 10:00 p.m.). Sign
up today by visiting The Community House
Foundation website at communityhouse.
com or calling 248.644.5832.
Sunday, October 6
Pregnancy and Beyond Expo: Expectant
parents and new grandparents-to-be who
want to learn about new products and services
for delivering and taking care of your baby
are invited to the Huron Valley Sinai Hospital
Birthing Center’s Pregnancy and Beyond
Expo on Sunday, October 6 from 11:30 a.m.
to 2:00 p.m. Expect vendor booths, tours of
the all-private birthing suites, health educational
demonstrations and seminars. Refreshments
will be served. This event is open to
all, free of charge at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai
Hospital – North Orchard Lobby. Pre-registration
recommended by calling (313) 578-
6774 or online; walk-ins are welcomed.
Wednesday, October 9
Documentary Screening: The Chaldean
Cultural Center invites you to join us for
the local screening of the award-winning
documentary, The Great American Family
on Wednesday, October 9 at the Maple
Theatre located at 4135 W. Maple Road in
Bloomfield Township. Meet and greet with
the filmmaker and author, Weam Namou is
at 6:30 p.m. The documentary begins at
7:00 p.m. All proceeds to benefit the Chaldean
Cultural Center. Tickets are priced at
$25 per person. Call (248) 681-5050 to purchase
tickets.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
• MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH QUICKBOOKS
• DATA INPUT
• PREPARE MONTHLY BANK RECONCILIATIONS,
DEPOSIT ENTRIES
• PREPARE JOURNAL ENTRIES AND SUPPORTING WORK
PAPERS AND DOCUMENTATION
• ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HR ASSISTANT
• ASSIST WITH PHONE SCREENINGS
• ASSIST WITH NEW EMPLOYEE PAPERWORK
• ASSIST WITH STORE SCHEDULING
• MUST KNOW HOW TO USE MICROSOFT EXCEL
OTHER ATTRIBUTES INCLUDE:
• SUPERIOR COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
• STRONG EXPERIENCE WITH COMPUTERS
• ABILITY TO MULTI-TASK AND PRIORITIES
LOCATED IN TROY
CALL JUSTIN
248.647.9999 EXT 105
WILDBILLSTOBACCO.COM
18 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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5 BR, 5.2 BA, 5,479 SF
4 Car Gar, 1.48 Acres
Bloomfield Hills Schools
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4 BR, 5.1 BA, 7,281 Total SF
Walkout, 3 Car Gar, 1.38 Acres
Bloomfield Hills Schools
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4 BR, 4.1 BA, 7,384 Total SF
Ranch, 3 Car Gar, Built 2007
West Bloomfield Schools
$799,900
5220 W Bloomfield Lk
5 BR, 4.2 BA, 5,690 Total SF
W. Bloomfield Lake Lakefront
Walkout, West Bloomfield Schls
$519,900
5630 Swan St
4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2,886 SF
3 Car Tandem Gar, Built 2010
1st Flr Mstr, Walled Lk Schls.
$449,900
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4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2,466 SF
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West Bloomfield Schools
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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

RELIGION
Iraq: Final statement of Chaldean Synod
At the invitation of His Beatitude
Patriarch Cardinal
Mar Louis Raphael Sako,
the annual Chaldean Synod was held
at the Patriarchal summer headquarters,
Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq, from 3 to
10 August 2019, attended by Bishops
from the dioceses of Iraq, Iran,
Syria, Lebanon, America, Canada
and Australia. After the opening ceremony,
the assembled Bishops sent a
letter to His Holiness Pope Francis,
affirming their love, appreciation
and gratitude for supporting the
Chaldean Church and Iraqi people.
They closed by hoping that the visit
of Pope Francis to Iraq will take place
in 2020.
At the end of the Synod, the participants
issued the following statement:
Spiritual Retreat: Synod Fathers
commenced their meetings with a
Mass celebrated by Patriarch Sako,
in which he addressed the importance
of taking responsibility and
working together as a team to serve
the Church and our people in these
complicated circumstances. This was
followed by a spiritual retreat for
two consecutive days, led by Bishop
Yousif Sowaif, Archbishop of the
Maronite Archdiocese in Cyprus.
The focus was, the role of the bishop,
in administrating the diocese, living
the faith with a spirit of transparency,
in addition to emphasizing
bishop’s quality as a father, brother,
pastor and priest of the diocese.
Meeting with the Laity (Men
and Women Representatives of Different
Dioceses): This is the first
time in the history of our Chaldean
Church that the Synod Fathers invited
laity for a period of two days
to study the Chaldean public affairs.
An extensive statement was issued
as the outcome of this meeting, in
which they urged the selected laity
committee to follow up on implementing
the recommendations listed
in our website.
Administrations: As the 5th year
of the legal term for the permanent
Synod membership and the Secretary-General
is finished, the Synod
Fathers elected the following as a
replacement: Archbishop Michel
Kassaraji, Archbishop Mikhael Maqdassi
and Archbishop Mikhael Najeeb.
His Beatitude Patriarch Sako
appointed Bishop Basilios Yaldo as
a fourth member and Bishop Yousif
Toma Mirkis was re-elected as a Secretary-General.
In regard to Babel College for
Philosophy & Theology, HB Patriarch
Sako appointed Bishop Yousif
Toma Mirkis to be the Dean and Sr.
Sanaa Yousif Hanna (Sacred Heart
Order) the Vice Dean. He also appointed
Sr. Caroline Saeed Jarjis (of
the Sacred Heart Order) to be the
Director of the Institute of Christian
Education in Ankawa.
Synod Father selected new bishops
for the vacant Diocese.
Liturgy: Synod Fathers reviewed
the text of the Mass of the Apostles
(Addai and Marie), in which Sundays
and feasts mass celebration are
separated from that of weekdays.
They reviewed also the 2nd Mass ritual
as well as a new text of the Mass
composed by HB Patriarch Sako taking
its’ inspiration from Chaldean
Spirituality and Prayers. The three
texts will be sent to the Holy See for
approval.
Economic Aspect: Establishing
a joint fund in the Patriarchate to
support the Patriarchate projects and
the needy dioceses. It was recommended
also to conduct an economic
study to determine the conditions of
contributing to this fund in addition
to the activation of faithful contribution
in “Zakat”.
Synod Fathers recommended the
following:
Calling upon their priests to accept
the ecclesiastical laws, encouraging
them to remain steadfast in
their vocation and be honest towards
their devotion in spite of the difficulties.
On the other hand, they
appreciated those who have worked
throughout these years serving their
parishes with self-denial, sacrifice,
and generosity.
Synod Fathers
renewed their pledge
to work diligently to
serve their Dioceses
and to activate
the ecumenical
movement.
Urging their faithful inside and
outside Iraq to unite and hold into
their Chaldean identity, principles
of faith, Christian ethics, and their
affiliation to Church, homeland and
Chaldean language, as well as dealing
with their bishop as a head of the
local Church.
Mentioning with compliment the
return of families (displaced by ISIS)
to their homes and towns in Mosul
and Nineveh Plain, supporting reconstruction
process and being there
for them in facing various challenges.
They also encouraged the rest of
internally displaced Christian families,
to return and avoid selling their
homes and properties, since it is their
historical heritage.
Expressing their full support for
the Patriarchate’s addresses and
speeches and its stance in defending
Christians’ rights; their fair representation
at the government institutions;
demanding a civil state based
on full citizenship, equality, justice,
the rule of law and institutions away
from sectarian system. They strongly
support the intention of the Central
Iraqi Government and KRG to undertake
brave reforms.
Restricting votes among the
Christian component in electing
their representatives away from the
interventions of “big parties”, especially
in regard of “Christian quota”
in both Parliament representation
and the provincial Councils.
In conclusion, Synod Fathers renewed
their pledge to work diligently
to serve their Dioceses and to activate
the ecumenical movement, and
called upon Christian of all denominations
to “be one” (John 17: 11) as
Jesus wanted them, by relying on dialogue
and communication. They also
encourage Christians to be bridges of
sincere dialogue between different
groups, in order to promote coexistence
and raise the voice of truth
towards the developments of their
countries and their citizens.
– Holy Land Ecumenical Foundation
20 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

in MEMORIAM
RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
e"My mom ced to
t me ee's going to
buy me the cemery
pl nt to my dad ,
hontly, I've never ft
Sabah Putrus
Jirgis Salha
July 1, 1947 -
Aug. 20, 2019
Mikha Sulaiman
Jan. 1, 1944 -
Aug. 17, 2019
Mary Dabish
Jan. 26, 1926 -
Aug. 17, 2019
Sameer
Zia Denha
Sept. 3, 1941 -
Aug. 14, 2019
more understd or
pleed."
- Andri H
P R E - P L A N N I N G I S A
G R E A T A C T O F L O V E .
Jinnan Haji
Feb. 20, 1992 -
Aug. 13, 2019
Istar Beteta
July 1, 1939 -
Aug. 12, 2019
Georgette Kory
Mar. 3, 1935 -
Aug. 12, 2019
Slewah Loussia
July 1, 1931 -
Aug. 12, 2019
Andri struggles with health issues no 22 year old should have
to face. Her mother granted her wish and gave her peace of
mind by pre-planning to ensure she would be buried next to
her father who passed in 2015.
Najat Shafo
May 1, 1945 -
Aug. 11, 2019
Nadir Kozmi
Feb. 4, 1962 -
Aug. 10, 2019
Dena Rita Petrus
Aug. 21, 1977 -
Aug. 7, 2019
Marogi Marogi
July 1, 1947 -
Aug. 5, 2019
Arthur
Sabah Kirma
Jan. 14, 1980 -
Aug. 5, 2019
Gorgis Jaoo
June 6, 1942 -
Aug. 2, 2019
Warda Daoud
Shamon
May 19, 1931 -
Aug. 1, 2019
Zakia Matti
July 1, 1927 -
July 29, 2019
Balkis Hanna
July 1, 1943 -
July 28, 2019
Esho Baloo
July 1, 1935 -
July 26, 2019
Khalid
Khoshaba
July 26, 2019
Warda Behnam
July 1, 1941 -
July 26, 2019
Sabriya Katty
June 5, 1932 -
July 25, 2019
Najat Amsaih
Nov. 20, 1938 -
July 25, 2019
Karim Issa Patros
July 1, 1961 -
July 23, 2019
22 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

Deportation leads to death of community member
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
A
couple weeks after his deportation
to Iraq in early June,
videos of Jimmy Aldaoud
surfaced on Facebook. He was gaunt,
visibly ill, crouched on a sidewalk as
he talked about his plight after his
forced removal from Detroit to Iraq.
“I don’t understand the language,”
said Aldaoud. “I’m sleeping
in the street. I’m diabetic. I take insulin
shots. I’ve been throwing up,
throwing up, sleeping in the street,
trying to find something to eat. I’ve
got nothing over here.”
When Immigrations and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) came for him,
Aldaoud pleaded for his life, knowing
his death would be imminent in Iraq
as he had never been to the country
and did not speak the language.
“I begged them. I said, ‘Please,
I’ve never seen that country. I’ve
never been there,’” he said. “However,
they forced me.”
A few weeks later, Aldaoud was
dead. Found dead in an apartment
in Baghdad, Aldaoud is believed to
have been alone at the time of his
death, without family or friends.
“He died alone,” Aldaoud’s sister,
Mary Bolis, told The Intercept. “It’s
unfair.”
The Detroit resident’s cause of
death is believed to be due to the
lack of access to life-saving insulin.
In addition to suffering from diabetes,
friends and family of Aldaoud
said he suffered from bipolar disorder
and was a paranoid schizophrenic.
Originally deported to Najaf, about
100 miles south of Baghdad, Aldaoud
found his way to Baghdad where he
had reportedly been homeless, living
on the streets with two other men
who had also been deported.
Before being deported to Iraq, Aldaoud
had never stepped foot in the
country. In fact, Aldaoud was born
in Greece and was legally brought
to the United States with his family
when he was just six months old. The
United States was the only home he
knew. This did not factor in the decision
to deport him, though.
U.S. Representative Andy Levin,
who has been a fierce advocate against
the detention and deportation of Iraqi
nationals called Aldaoud’s death predictable
and preventable in an opinion
piece for USA Today.
“Jimmy’s story is all the more
heartbreaking because it was predictable,
it was preventable, and it will
almost certainly be repeated if we do
not pause the deportation of Iraqi
nationals immediately,” he said.
When asked for comment, ICE
declined, telling the Detroit News
that, “Al-Daoud’s immigration case
underwent an exhaustive judicial
review before the courts ultimately
affirmed he had no legal basis to remain
in the U.S.”
A Community in Mourning
News of Aldaoud’s death sparked
outcries across the community. People
took to social media to express
their sorrow and their fears. More
than anything, they wanted “justice
for Jimmy.”
Levin’s office, alongside American
and Iraqi officials started the
process of transferring Aldaoud’s
remains soon after the news of his
death broke.
“Ensuring the safe return of Jimmy’s
body to the United States is the
least I could do for Jimmy’s family as
they grieve during this tragedy,” Levin
said in a statement. “Now, per Jimmy’s
family’s wishes, he can receive a proper
Catholic funeral and be buried next
to his mother in Michigan, the only
home he has ever known.”
The request to transfer Aldaoud’s
remains was submitted to the Iraqi
Consul, who, says Chaldean Community
Foundation President Martin
Manna, willingly helped to expedite
the process. The transfer is expected
to be completed later this month.
“I’m glad that my office could
give Jimmy’s family this small sense
of solace, but to honor his memory,
we still must do everything we can
to prevent another death by deportation,”
Levin told the Detroit News.
A Renewed Sense of Fear
The news of Aldaoud’s death confirmed
what many members of the
community had feared. Deportation
to Iraq would certainly be a death
sentence, especially for Iraqi Christians.
His death comes as the Trump
administration heightened immigration
enforcement, which lead to
massive raids by ICE in June 2017
that resulted in the detention of
hundreds Iraqi nationals.
Since the massive ICE raids,
elected officials and community
leaders have worked alongside the
American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) to prevent the deportations
of hundreds of Iraqi nationals.
The ACLU quickly filed a class
action lawsuit, Hamama v. Adducci,
after the raids. The nationwide lawsuit
includes more than 1,400 Iraqi
nationals from across the country,
with 114 from Michigan.
This lawsuit bought Iraqi nationals
time as they worked to reopen
and fight their immigration cases.
Despite the relentless work on the
ACLU’s part, a decision was handed
down by the Sixth Circuit Court of
Appeals allowing ICE to once again
begin the detention and deportation
of Iraqi nationals.
The Americanization alone, says
Levin, is enough to put people like
Aldaoud at risk in a country like Iraq.
“…many are also Chaldean
Christians, who face grave danger in
Iraq on account of religious persecution,”
Levin wrote.
“All of these factors make the
Trump administration’s deportation of
Iraqi nationals incredibly dangerous,”
he explained. “The State Department
warns any American against traveling
to Iraq in the strongest terms. In
the case of someone like Jimmy, who
lived with illnesses like schizophrenia
and diabetes, it was a death sentence.
This administration deported him
anyway.”
Working across the aisle, Levin,
with U.S. Representative John
Moolenaar, introduced the Deferred
Removal for Iraqi Nationals Including
Minorities Act in May. The bipartisan
bill would provide two years
of relief from deportation for Iraqi
nationals with orders of deportation.
“This would allow time for each
Iraqi to have their case heard individually
in immigration court based
on current conditions in Iraq,” Levin
explained. “Many were ordered to be
removed decades ago when Iraq was a
completely different country. That’s
why this bill is important. If it is
signed into law, it will avert more
preventable deaths.”
Legislation is not the only way to
prevent these deportations, Trump
can stop this, says Levin.
“…Iraq is not forcing people
— like Jimmy — into harm’s
way,” Levin wrote. “That’s on the
president, who could end these deportations
with the stroke of a pen,
without any action from Congress.
Why hasn’t he?”
24 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

Honoring Jimmy Aldaoud
PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA
The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF), Congressman
Andy Levin (MI-09) and Congresswoman Brenda
Lawrence (MI-14) joined the family of Jimmy Aldaoud, a
Michigan Chaldean man who was deported to Iraq in June
and died on August 6 due to a lack of access to life-saving
insulin, for a candlelight vigil honoring his life and memory.
Hosted at the CCF in Sterling Heights, community members
filled the space to join in honoring Aldaoud’s life.
SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

Southfield native seeks city council seat
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Sara Habbo’s run for a Southfield
City Council seat is an extension
of her commitment to
public service and the city in which
she was raised. The 31-year-old
emigrated from Iraq with her family
when she was 2-years-old, and grew
up in Oak Park and Southfield.
“It’s really helpful to have grown
up in a household of people who immigrated
to a country realizing that
they had to learn a new language,
learn new laws, and also create a
life.” As the youngest child of eight,
she has a strong appreciation of family
sacrifices that have afforded her
opportunities.
Officially, Southfield features a
non-partisan government, but its officials
are mostly Democrats or Democratic
leaning, including Habbo,
though she is quick to point out that
her focus is not on politics. “My biggest
projects are around accountability,
transparency and accessibility,”
she said.
For example, the western part
of Southfield contains many older
homes that are part of the city sewer
system and, instead, rely on wells and
septic tanks. Many who live in these
older homes are senior citizens who
may not be able to afford to connect
to the city system. Habbo wants to
ensure that contractors working with
the city receive proper vetting and
that the bidding process for projects
is open to public scrutiny.
Fair elections made easy for voters
and immigration issues are also
important to Habbo.
“For me, we can’t ignore where
there is injustice anywhere. One of
the things I want to make sure is
that for the Chaldean community
in Southfield, we make the voting
process easier for them.” A number
of Chaldeans still struggle with English
and need help deciphering ballot
language and with navigating the
process, help that Habbo has personally
provided.
Regarding the federal government’s
aggressive immigration policies,
Habbo said: “I know the Chaldean
community for the most part
supported Donald Trump and now
they feel hurt and misled by the
statements he made about the Chaldean
community. On the broader issue,
I think if we can’t protect people
who are different from us, then we
can’t protect ourselves.”
Habbo serves as a legal observer
for the National Lawyers Guild,
a group that she describes as “progressive,
radical organization who
supports activism.” In her role on
the board of the National Lawyers
Guild, Habbo helps support the
group’s activist membership and organizations
“that are challenging a
lot of the broken systems that we are
dealing with—police brutality, limitations
on the First Amendment,
voter suppression.” The National
Lawyers Guild also observes immigration
officials to ensure they are
acting properly.
The coming election is not Habbo’s
first. She ran unsuccessfully for
the same Council seat in 2017. Determined
to serve in any capacity
she could, Habbo was assigned to
the Commission on Senior Adults
in Southfield; a post where she connected
with people she now considers
political mentors.
Habbo admires Commission
Chairperson Karen Schrock because
“of the way she leads with integrity
and that she is always prompt, running
meetings exactly on time.”
Habbo added that while Schrock
runs a tight ship, she is responsive
and flexible about finding opportunities
for public comment, often ensuring
that attendees have a chance to
speak, even if it means bending the
rules.
Planning Commission member
Donald Culpepper sat next to Habbo
at the first City Commission meeting
she attended and patiently explained
the arcane protocols on display. “He
is somebody who leads by example
and has a lot of integrity,” she said.
Intensely focused on serving
Southfield, Habbo has not given
much thought to a future seeking
county or state level elected office.
When she is not servicing the city
where she grew up or working her day
job as an attorney, Habbo immerses
herself as a coach and organizer in the
same youth soccer league she played
in when she was a child.
For more information about Habbo
and her campaign, visit www.
saraforsouthfield.com.
26 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
full assortment of

Biggie Babylon
Mark Kassa
Chaldeans are leaving their mark on the music scene
BY STEPHEN JONES
The Chaldean community
presents an impressive pool
of music talent from multiple
generations, all over the country. Two
of the foremost Chaldean musicians
are gifted emcee, Biggie Babylon, and
edgy guitarist, Mark Kassa of Slight
Return. Both artists see music as a way
to inspire Chaldeans like them who
have similar dreams but may feel hesitant
to pursue them because of lack of
Chaldean representation in music.
Biggie Babylon
I pulled up to the house.
Anyone who hasn’t lived under
a rock for the past 30 years can sing
along after hearing those lyrics on
top of the DJ Jazzy Jeff instrumental
for “Yo Home to Bel Air”, the theme
song to the NBC sitcom The Fresh
Prince of Bel-Air. What they may
be less familiar with is the 6 foot 2,
350-pound Biggie Babylon draped in
a 90s-inspired ensemble and riding in
the backseat of a taxi for the video
to his newest single, Pulled Up Fresh,
a Chaldean rebirth of the chart-topping
hit from more than 25 years ago.
This sort of creativity is the reason
why Babylon has attracted the
attention of DJs at radio stations
all over the world, including Eminem’s
Shade 45 on Sirius radio. The
San Diego rapper believes his name
should be mentioned with the best
hip-hop artists in the world.
“Our thing is to make music that
competes with all the other major
artists out there,” said Babylon. “We
don’t want people saying ‘oh, that’s
just another Chaldean rapper’. I want
Chaldeans to realize that I’m on the
same level as these other guys first and
then see that I’m one of their people.”
Part of what drives Babylon is the
lack of Chaldean representation in
hip-hop. He wants to inspire up-andcoming
Chaldean artists who love
hip-hop to go after their dreams, and
he plans to do that by becoming one
of the best rappers in the world.
“My goal is to become the biggest
artist in the world when it comes to
music,” said Babylon. “I’m going for
the Grammys because I know if I do
it, I’m opening the doors for other
talented youngsters out there that
have a passion for this.”
In addition to music, Babylon is
also a brand ambassador for Babylon’s
Garden, a cannabis shop in San Diego.
Babylon hopes to use the same
larger-than-life personality that he
displays as the face of Babylon’s Garden
to transition into acting after he
becomes an accomplished musician.
Babylon’s The Greenprint album
features production from multiplatinum
producers and is available on all
major digital platforms.
Mark Kassa of Slight Return
Detroit-native Mark Kassa is the lead
guitarist and vocalist for Slight Return,
a funk and rock band that gets
its inspiration from the likes of Jimi
Hendrix, Rage Against the Machine,
Santana, The Red Hot Chili Peppers
and Robin Trower.
Slight Return was formed after
Kassa graduated from Musicians Institute
College in Hollywood.
Although they are now known
as one of the funkiest bands on the
Detroit scene, Slight Return did go
through a period when their future
was uncertain.
Early on, Slight Return received
attention from many of the major record
labels, including Sony and Atlantic.
Family obligations caused the
band to pass on a deal at the time,
but they continued to make music
until their vocalist passed away from
cancer.
After this tragedy, Kassa and
Slight Return disbanded until Kassa’s
wife challenged him to start up the
band again and feature as the lead
vocalist. Kassa accepted her challenge
and Slight Return has been
rocking ever since, recording with
some of funk’s biggest draws including
George Clinton, Billy Cox and
Dennis Coffee.
Kassa attributes his success in
large part to two elements of his upbringing,
his Detroit roots and the
Chaldean community that raised him.
“My family has had a store on
Linwood and Davison for more than
30 years,” said Kassa. “I spent basically
my whole life there, listening to
the 70s funky stuff, and that groove
stuck with me the whole time.”
Kassa boasts an impressive portfolio
with more than 100 professionally-recorded
songs. He has recorded
one album with his first band, Tower,
and eight more with Slight Return.
Slight Return’s single “Vicious
Tides” featuring Andy Vargas (lead
vocalist for Santana), Tony “T
Money” Green and legendary drummer
Dennis Chambers has been in
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Charts for more than three months,
peaking at number 13.
You can find Biggie Babylon on
Facebook and follow him on Twitter
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can find Slight Return on Facebook and
follow them on Twitter and Instagram
@slightreturnusa.
28 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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USAID support
for minorities in
Nineveh, Iraq
According to USAID, “The preservation
of Iraq’s rich historical pluralism is critical
to reintegrating persecuted ethnic and religious
minority communities into a peaceful Iraq.”
Their efforts focus on the following areas:
Genocide Recovery and
Persecution Response (GRPR)
Over $133 million in recently launched
activities supporting the four pillars of US-
AID’s GRPR Program, bringing total funding
for GRPR to $239 million.
Meeting Immediate Needs: Over $51 million
in life-saving humanitarian assistance
to populations from the Nineveh Plain and
western Nineveh, includes safe drinking water,
food, shelter materials and household
items, medical care, and psychosocial support.
Helping Restore Communities: $9
million in funding to support early recovery
needs and restore access to services like
health and education.
Promoting Economic Recovery: $68
million in funding to improve access to jobs
and markets, support local businesses, and revive
the local economy.
Preventing Future Atrocities: $5 million
to address systemic issues affecting minority
populations and prevent future atrocities.
Clearing the Explosive Remnants of War
Approximately $37 million in funding to support
explosive remnants of war (ERW) survey,
clearance, and risk education in and around
minority communities. This support has enabled
the Department to significantly expand
the number of U.S.-funded ERW survey,
clearance, and risk education teams across
Nineveh and fulfills the Secretary’s pledge to
expand ERW clearance efforts in Iraqi minority
communities made at the July 2018 Ministerial
to Advance Religious Freedom.
Social, Economic, and
Political Empowerment
$8.5 million in additional assistance to projects
that provide psychosocial services, legal
support, and initiatives to help collect evidence
of human rights abuses; increase minority
representation in local and provincial
government; increase access to justice for
children; strengthen rule of law; and provide
livelihoods support and access to economic
opportunities for vulnerable groups bringing
the FY 2017 total to $18.5 million.
Preservation of Historic and
Cultural Heritage Sites
$2 million in ongoing programming to support
the preservation of cultural heritage
sites in Northern Iraq that were targeted
for destruction by ISIS and other terrorist
groups, safeguarding, preserving, and restoring
access to significant cultural heritage
sites of minority communities.
Working toward worldwide
religious freedom
BY SARAH KITTLE
This past July in Washington, D.C., U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted a
summit called the Ministerial to Advance
Religious Freedom, the second annual summit held
on the topic. Civic and religious leaders, activists
and policymakers were among those that convened
the first two days, with foreign government delegations
joining in the discussion on day three.
An estimated thousand civic, governmental
and religious leaders plus nearly a hundred foreign
delegates reaffirmed international and interreligious
commitments to promote religious freedom
for all mankind, declared as a universal human
right by the United Nations.
This year’s focus was on concrete actions delivering
outcomes that produce durable, positive change.
The agenda included general sessions plus breakout
sessions focused on three tracks: Building Blocks for
Advancing Religious Freedom; Emerging Trends in
Religious Freedom; and Religious Freedom in Development
/Humanitarian Assistance.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad was
among the many survivors of religious intolerance
that spoke at the summit. Murad is a Yezidi from
Iraq who was captured by the Islamic State (IS) at
the age of 19. She was raped, beaten and tortured
before she escaped and was aided by a neighbor to
her subsequent refuge in Germany.
Her presentation was followed by a general
session on “The Journey to Self-Reliance: Securing
the Way to Religious Freedom.” This reinforced
Ambassador Brownback’s keynote speech,
in which he asked those assembled “to boldly fight
for religious freedom for yourself, for all those who
profess your faith, and – taking it an essential step
forward – joining together to fight for those who
profess different faiths.”
Day two saw an expansion of the conversation
begun the day before, with a “deep dive” on the
building blocks for advancing religious freedom.
United States Institute of Peace (USIP) President
Nancy Lindborg opened a session on development
and humanitarian assistance. USIP is an American
federal institution tasked with promoting conflict
resolution and prevention worldwide.
Breakout session topics on the second day of
the summit included best practices for religious
freedom activism, advancing women’s rights, and
countering violent extremism. The threat of death
brings upheaval that causes difficulty in registering
and recognizing religious communities, among
other issues.
More heavy topics discussed in this summit
included emerging trends, partnerships between
international development and humanitarian aid
groups, and challenges to religious freedom. Almost
everyone living in Iraq has been traumatized,
if not by the Saddam Hussein regime, then by sectarian
violence including atrocities committed by
IS militants.
The impact of this on the population - and
especially on children - is disastrous, with many
children having learning disorders and living in a
permanent state of fear. Several analysts have asserted
that trauma is one of the main factors for
radicalization. This does not bode well for Iraq’s
large youth population. A shortage of water and
electricity and too much unemployment fuel the
flames of unrest.
Particularly relevant to the worldwide Chaldean
community, the discussion on religious tolerance
and assistance addresses the estimated three
fourths of the world’s population that does not
have the freedom to openly express their beliefs for
fear of discrimination, persecution, or even death.
In far too many nations, religious intolerance is
used as an excuse for gaining and maintaining control
over a group of people. It’s not always a direct
physical threat.
The recent loss of Jimmy Aldaoud, an Iraqi
National who never set foot in Iraq until he was
deported there from the United States, underscores
the inherent danger in sending a person “home”
with no support system, no contacts, no medicine
or medical care, and no place to live. Jimmy died
not from a beating or a deadly weapon, but from
lack of insulin to treat an ongoing and known medical
condition.
Action-item topics of the summit included
multi-faith initiatives, economic development,
cultural preservation, and international development
aid. Breakout sessions were devoted to economic
security, faith-based partnerships, documenting
atrocities, and the role of the private
sector in post-ISIS Iraq.
Chaldean Community Foundation President,
Martin Manna, was part of a panel that discussed
how to get the diaspora more involved and engaged
in investing in Iraq.
One of the main goals of the Ministerial to
Advance Religious Freedom is to establish support
systems in the most urgent regions, including Iraq,
Syria, and the Middle East. The Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce (CACC) in Farmington
Hills is strengthening ties with USAID and the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce to aid the community
in the homeland.
Iraq was only given national status early in the
20th century but was built on the ancient powerful
kingdoms of Babylonia and Assyria. The ethnically
and religiously diverse nation is suffering from sectarian
violence and corruption which are the main factors
hampering progress and the process of democracy.
Closely related is the problem of impunity, which
greatly affects the position of Iraq’s Christians, and
the rise of radical Islamic groups which do not tol-
30 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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erate any religion other than a strict
and violent form of Islam. Although
the general situation in Iraq remains
far from stable, there are hopeful developments
as IS was territorially defeated
in December 2017, allowing
more and more Christians to return
to a number of villages.
Attempting to stay politically
neutral, the CACC is focused on
business development and empowerment
of Christians living in Iraq.
In December of 2018, the CACC
along with the Chaldean Community
Foundation, the nonprofit arm of
the CACC, hosted an International
Roundtable to discuss the revitalization
of the Yazidi and Christian villages
in the Nineveh Plain.
The Assyrian Church of the East,
the Syrian Orthodox Church, the
Syrian Catholic Church, the Chaldean
Catholic Church and the Armenian
Orthodox Church are all
seriously affected by persecution in
Iraq, especially from Islamic extremist
movements and non-Christian
leaders. They also face discrimination
from government authorities.
Every year, the State Department
releases the International Religious
Freedom Report, describing the status
of religious freedom around the world.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke
at the summit, reiterating that the
Trump Administration is committed
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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

ECONOMICS & enterprise
Fall football fun
BY LISA CIPRIANO
The summer is quickly winding
down. But, that doesn’t mean
that your kids’ activity level
has to wind down with it.
One Chaldean entrepreneur developed
a great way to keep both
boys and girls active all year round
through the all-American game of
football.
Francis Meram of Rochester Hills
started National Flag Football in
2002 with adult leagues because he,
himself, wanted to play.
With more and more news reports
of kids sustaining serious injuries
from traditional tackle football,
Meram saw “a huge potential for
growth” with the much safer, no contact
game of flag football and began
offering kids programs in 2006.
Meram was correct with his
prediction in that his
National Flag Football
program, based out of
Bloomfield Hills, since
has become the largest
youth flag football program
in the nation and is
currently in 12 states and
130 cities. It hosts 50,000
kids a year, both boys and
girls, ages 4 to 14.
“This is a much safer
alternative to tackle
football. Parents don’t
have the concerns about
injuries and concussions like traditional
football,” explained Meram.
There is little to no contact with
flag football. Instead of tackling,
players wear flag belts and members
of the opposing team pull off the flag
to indicate a tackle.
“We started to really grow when
the dangers of concussions in traditional
youth football really started
coming to light. Parents had big concerns
and were looking for a much
safer alternative. That’s when we decided
to expand on a national scale,”
Meram added.
Meram also attributes the growth
of his National Flag Football to the
way that they do business.
“Our success is also due to our organization’s
structure. It’s very handson
and we work very hard every
single day to run the very best youth
sports experience,” said Meram.
According to Meram, flag football
is a big hit with Chaldean men
as a great way to blow off
steam, get some exercise,
time with the guys and
even network. But, Chaldean
women traditionally
have not participated
in the sport. Meram sees
that changing quickly in
that his National Flag
Football program is seeing
a big increase in girls
wanting to take to the
field and play.
“It’s the awareness that girls can
play, too. In fact, I’ve found that girls
and boys are pretty even on the playing
field. A lot of girls are even better
than the boys. When you remove the
contact, it’s really no different than
girls and boys playing soccer together,”
Meram explained.
Thanks to all of this growth and
success, Meram is now operating
his National Flag Football with two
partners and more than 300 employees
across the country including
more than 40 full time employees at
its Bloomfield Hills headquarters.
Enrolling your child in Meram’s
National Flag Football costs $135 per
season which is a relatively low cost
compared to other youth sports. It
also doesn’t require as much of you or
your child’s time as with other sports.
“It’s a one day per week program.
So, they practice for an hour and play
their game right after. It’s really convenient
for busy families because you
don’t have to drive your kids around
for practice,” explained Meram.
“The only time that you would travel
is if your child is in tournaments.
The more competitive teams travel
throughout the year. But, it’s not
mandatory,” he added.
In this day and age of more sedentary
lifestyles, video games and
interacting mainly on social media,
Meram recommends that all kids
play some sort of sport for both activity
and social skills.
“It teaches them team work and
discipline while giving them structure
and allows them to concentrate their
energy outdoors as opposed to inside
on electronic devices. It also teaches
them to deal with adversity, whether
it’s winning or losing. Sports teaches
kids a lot of life’s lessons,” he said.
Sports is not only a virtue for
Meram, you could say that it’s in his
DNA. His brother, Justin, has the
distinction of being the first Chaldean
professional athlete in the
United States. The Shelby Township
native plays for the Major League
Soccer club Atlanta United as well
as the Iraq national team.
Both Meram’s parents were born
in Iraq. He believes that his drive to
succeed comes from them and his
Chaldean upbringing.
“My Chaldean entrepreneurial
spirit definitely plays into all of this.
It’s taught me how to think outside
of the box and always strive to build
something bigger,” Meram explained.
In fact, at the age when most
teenagers are finding their first job,
Meram was taking it step further by
starting his own business.
“I started my own cell phone
business when I was 16. So, by doing
that while in college for engineering,
I already had a very good business
background by the time that I was in
my mid-20s,” said Meram. My Chaldean
upbringing always taught me to
push for more and start my own business,”
he added.
Meram, of course, isn’t done
pushing the limits yet. His engineering
education always has him thinking
of how to make things better and
more efficient.
“I’ve just patented a new flag
football belt that will revolutionize
the game. It will be launched nationwide
in January and be used in all of
our programs,” he concluded.
His self-described Chaldean
entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop
there. Meram continues to work on
expanding his National Flag Football
to all 50 States so that all kids
across the Nation have a chance to
get outdoors, get some exercise and
learn those important life skills while
having safe fun on the football field.
National Flag Football is currently
enrolling for its fall season. To get
your child involved or learn more, go
to nationalflagfootball.com or call
877-866-FLAG.
32 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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chaldean on the STREET
What do you want to see?
BY HALIM SHEENA
The Chaldean News is in transition and during this time, we wanted to ask our
readers what they would like to see more of in this publication.
In the Chaldean News, I would like to see more
of the amazing things people in our community do
daily. There are so many wonderful, humble, talented
people in our community; they should be acknowledged
for their hard work. Moreover, this exposure
will encourage others to follow in their footsteps and
be a light in this world.
– Christina Toma, Shelby Twp, 25
It would be cool if the Chaldean News posted more
about our history. There is so much to be learned and
stories to be told. Also, I’d like to learn more about
Jesus and our faith within our culture.
– Pauls Toma, Shelby Twp, 21
A closer look at the Chaldeans who give back to the
communities. I feel it would motivate others to do
the same. There’s nothing more enlightening than
witnessing our people helping those in need and
contribute to the common good.
– Danny Francis, 31, West Bloomfield
I think each month there needs to be a section
devoted entirely to the preservation of our culture. It
doesn’t have to be long, but, for example, one week
someone can post their grandma’s recipe for burak
or tekhratha. Or there can be a little-known Aramaic
word, written in Sureth with its translation, the
phonetics and how you use it in a sentence. Another
beneficial section would be something that would
focus solely on the plight of Suraye in the Middle
East. Again, it doesn’t have to be long, but an update
about things like the Iran-backed militias barricading
the Christian villages in northern Iraq or how Turkey
is treating the dwindling Christian population. This
stuff doesn’t get any news time from Western media
and it doesn’t get a lot of air time on Arab TV either
but it’s something we should all be aware of.
– Emily Kakos, 24, West Bloomfield
I think the Chaldean News deserves more youthful
and informed voices. I believe they will help diversify
the community’s understanding of the culture and
what it is to be “Chaldean” in next generations. I
would like to see more worldwide representation. I
think it would benefit “The Chaldean News” if their
content reached a wider audience. News about an
entire culture from the worldwide perspective that the
culture exists within.
– Christina Salem, 26, West Bloomfield
I think the Chaldean News should expand their coverage
of activities taking place around the community.
Many events happen all the time, and some could
very much benefit from the type of exposure that a
publication like the Chaldean News could easily give
it. Striving to be a guide of Chaldean community
activities could help the CN take on a very important
role in our community, one which strengthens ties
amongst people and increases cohesion.
– Linda Sadik, 51, Rochester Hills
36 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

event
Celebration
of Life
PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA
Riyadh “Roy” Denha gathered friends, colleagues, and
teammates for a celebration of life on Saturday, August 24 at
the UR Cultural Society in Southfield. Riyadh provided soccer
trophies to each of the attendees as a celebration of the Harami
Baghdad (Thieves of Baghdad) soccer team that played together
for several decades in Detroit. Because of Riyadh’s leadership,
the team won several championships.
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SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 37

event
CAAHP Annual Scholarship
and Award Gala
PHOTOS BY HOLLY YATOOMA
The Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals hosted
their Third Annual Scholarship and Award Gala on Friday, July 26 at
Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield. Honored at the event
was Dr. Hikmet Jamil who received the Lifetime Achievement Award
and Dr. Ayad Jazrawi who received the Rising Star Award.
38 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 39