FEBRUARY 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE I FEBRUARY 2024
Living
Lent
PREPARING TO
CELEBRATE THE
RESURRECTION
Featuring:
Dating Destinations
Community Center Update
Chaldean Kitchen

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2 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | FEBRUARY 2024 | VOL. 21 ISSUE I
ON THE COVER
16 Living Lent
Preparing for the resurrection
By Fr. John Jwad
FEATURES
18 Detroit’s Romance Renaissance
8 places to take a date
By Sarah Kittle
19 The Spontaneity of Love
By Beshar Shukri
20 Chaldean Kitchen
Traditional Iraqi Wedding Cake
By Z.Z. Dawod
22 From Mesopotamia to the Motor City
How trade routes influenced culture
By Cal Abbo
26 Progress Report
The Chaldean Community Center takes shape
By Cal Abbo
DEPARTMENTS
6 From the Editor
A Real Renaissance
By Sarah Kittle
8 Guest Columns
Dr. Samir Jamil
My Retreat Experience
9 Mena Hannakachl
A Progressive Girl’s Perspective
10 Foundation Update
Advocacy, Citizenship,
New Board Members
12 Noteworthy
Hunter Nannoshi, Luxie Kouza
14 Iraq Today
Iran-Iraq Tensions Escalate
28 Life Skills
Money Matters
By Paul Natinsky
30 Economics & Enterprise
Tania’s Pizza
By Paul Natinsky
32 Sports
Brendin Yatooma
By Steve Stein
36 New Americans
Patrick N’golo
By Sarah Kittle
44 Chaldean Digest
Missile attack, New TV channel in Iraq
48 In Memoriam
50 From the Archive
Wedding Photos
16
34 February Covers
Through the years
By Sarah Kittle
38 Culture & History
Iraqi Christian Contributions
By Dr. Adhid Miri
20
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Sarah Kittle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cal Abbo
Z.Z. Dawod
Mena Hannakachl
Dr. Samir Jamil
Fr. John Jwad
Sarah Kittle
Dr. Adhid Miri
Paul Natinsky
Beshar Shukri
Steve Stein
ART & PRODUCTION
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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GRAPHIC DESIGNER
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PHOTOGRAPHER
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Subscription and all other inquiries:
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Chaldean News
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Phone: (248) 851-8600
Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);
Published monthly; Issue Date: February 2024
Subscriptions: 12 months, $35.
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
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Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”
A real renaissance
February is officially cuddle month, when
frosty weather and frigid temperatures
keep us confined to the great indoors. On
the other hand, it is also a great date month,
with Valentine’s Day smack dab in the middle.
Lucky for you, dear reader, we have supplied
some fantastic ideas for dating in Detroit—there
are so many places to go, some that may even be
new to you!
Detroit today is experiencing a real resurgence,
unlike the “renaissance” I lived through
growing up in the city in the 70s and 80s. It feels
like it can now truly be called “the Renaissance City,” and
not just because of the Lions winning the Division Championship
in the National Football League (although that
doesn’t hurt). Everywhere you look downtown, there is a
vibrancy and energy we haven’t
seen in a long time, if ever. And
we are part of it!
SARAH KITTLE
EDITOR
IN CHIEF
Embracing romance, we
have curated a few stories to
go with the theme. Besides the
dating article, we have an update
from Beshar Shukri, who
penned the original “Dating
While Chaldean” article in October
2023, a wedding cake recipe
in Chaldean Kitchen, and
some love in a pizza pie, with a
story about Tania’s Pizza. Wrapping up the romance issue
are some archival wedding photos supplied by the Chaldean
Cultural Center.
Several features in this month’s edition focus on Iraq,
with Cal Abbo’s Mesopotamia to the Motor City Part II in
the lead, followed by Dr. Miri’s article on Christian contributions
towards building the country of Iraq. Iraq Today
and Chaldean Digest both relay stories about recent conflict
in northern Iraq and the effect on the people living
there. Noteworthy this month highlights a young boy who
shares his faith and a young woman who found her calling.
The Sports section celebrates an extraordinary
individual by the name of Brendin Yatooma.
For newcomers to America, Paul Natinsky
gives some basic advice regarding money and
budgeting in the Life Skills department. We also
share a brief story about Patrick N’golo, a recent
immigrant who came to the U.S. with his family
for asylum and was helped by the Chaldean Community
Foundation.
Our cover story this month was penned by
none other than Fr. John “Junior” Jwad, newly
ordained and filled with the Spirit. He reminds
us that Lent is a way of life, not just something you give
up for couple of weeks before Easter. The observance of
Lent is a significant and solemn period emphasizing repentance,
prayer, and fasting, mirroring the biblical 40
Detroit today is experiencing a real
resurgence, unlike the “renaissance”
I lived through growing up in the city
in the 70s and 80s. It feels like it can now
truly be called “the Renaissance City.”
days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. The focus is on
self-reflection and spiritual growth, and the time is special
and sacred.
Make the most of it.
Sarah Kittle
Editor in Chief
CONNECT WITH
YOUR COMMUNITY.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
AND FOLLOW CN
ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
6 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE
Join the
Publishers Circle
As the publication of record for Michigan’s
Chaldean community, the mission of the
Chaldean News is to preserve and archive
Chaldean heritage and history, and to tell the
ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to the
communities in which we live and work — in Michigan
and around the world.
Since being acquired by the Chaldean Community
Foundation in 2019, the Chaldean News has substantially
increased its readership and social media following,
introduced new digital and website content, and expanded
storytelling with the help of small grant funding.
The Publisher’s Circle initiative empowers community members
to provide major support for the Chaldean News and its
important mission. With the generous help of individuals and
organizations, together, we can ensure that this vital resource
continues to educate and connect the community, while
evolving to meet the needs of future generations.
The Chaldean News has ambitious plans which include
launching a CN app and continuing to expand into new
media such as radio and TV, all with the goal of preserving
our culture and telling the story of our people. You
can take part in helping to preserve your Chaldean
heritage by joining the Publisher’s Circle today.
Jibran “Jim” Manna
Martin and Tamara Manna
Sylvester and Rita Sandiha
We are grateful for the generous and
continuing support of our community.
To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com
or contact us at 248-851-8600
Let’s grow the circle.
SEPTEMBER FEBRUARY 2024 2023 CHALDEAN NEWS 7

GUEST COLUMN
My Retreat Experience
BY SAMIR JAMIL, MD
Recently, I attended
my first silent retreat
sponsored by the
Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization
Center (ECRC). From
the start, I felt that I did not
belong to this crowd of mostly
young devotees, especially
after I noticed how much
more spiritual they were.
What I hoped for by attending
this retreat was a true
self-examination and to inch
closer to God the Creator.
I must admit that I succeeded in reexamining
myself but failed at inching
closer to God; however, my soul,
my mind, and my heart are still open
for the grace of God for a meaningful
Metanoia — a true conversion.
It was during this retreat that I discovered
how deficient I was in spiritual
life.
Also, it was made clear to me that
this younger crowd is so far ahead of
me in pursuing the holy life. I noticed
a great deal of enthusiasm among
the attendees, energy that I envied
throughout the retreat duration. The
day after the retreat was over, it came
to me to write down my observations,
and it is my hope that what I am saying
will not be misconstrued to be an
accusation or a judgement.
The Holy Spirit is the third person
in our core Catholic Doctrine of the
Holy Trinity. He is the fruit of the love
between God the Father and the Son
(God-man Jesus.) The Holy Spirit also
gives us, the people of the Church, a
variety of Charisms - 1 Corinthians 12:
4-11. These Charisms (as defined by
Catherine of Sienna Institute) are spiritual
gifts, special abilities, that are given
to all Christians to give them power
both to represent Christ and to be a
channel of God’s goodness for people.
In 1967, a movement sprung up
within the Catholic Church under the
name of Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Movement (CCR). It is a neo-Pentecostal
movement within the Catholic
Church that emphasizes the workings
of the Holy Spirit (the Charisms), interprets
the Bible literally, and adopts an
informal demonstrative approach to
SAMIR
JAMIL, MD
SPECIAL
TO THE
CHALDEAN
NEWS
religious worship.
It is the last point, adoption
of informal approach to religious
worship, that I am worried
about for our community’s
younger generation, because of
the ease of falling into it.
The CCR movement is approved
by the Vatican, which
considers it an authentic
movement of the Spirit in our
times, and its headquarters
are in Rome. The adherents of
the movement (about 120 million
worldwide) are genuine Catholics
and faithful to Mother Church, but its
Blessing of the Renewal services (weekly
prayer meetings) are heavily Pentecostal
in form.
During these services the Holy
Spirit is summoned to bless the attendees
with Charisms, mainly speaking
in tongues and physical healing. The
meetings follow this format: gathering
song; opening prayer; praise and worship
with Scripture reading; singing;
prophecy; testimony; Tongues (in song,
praise, or prophecy); and ministering
the Gifts (Charisms) of the Holy Spirit
to the people gathered in healing, miracles,
word of knowledge …etc.
This kind of celebration of the Holy
Spirit by CCR followers may take over
the Mass celebration. More importantly,
the Charisms themselves may get
misinterpreted or abused by the individuals
or groups.
The Catholic Church, however, tolerates
the CCR movement for a few reasons:
most Charismatics do not leave
the Catholic Church; CCR upholds the
dogmas of Catholicism; and there is a
large audience for the CCR inside the
Catholic Church (both clergy and laity).
In any case, I personally am not at
ease with this movement that goes far
beyond our Church Tradition and Vatican
II, and to some extent rides on the
wagons of Protestantism, modernism,
and postmodernism, but this admittedly
is my biased personal view of the CCR. It
is my plea to our younger clergy and the
younger generations of our Chaldean
community to examine the tenets of this
movement before trying to imitate some
of its non-Catholic practices. .
8 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

A Perspective
from a Progressive
Chaldean Girl
BY MENA HANNAKACHI
Redefining what it
means to be a “progressive
Chaldean” is
long overdue. I respect the
reasons why Chaldeans lean
toward the right, especially
considering the history of
fighting to preserve the culture’s
identity, religion, and
language. I understand the
challenges of keeping our
traditions, beliefs, and behaviors
alive amidst other
communities. However, I believe
there is room for progression in
our community– space to accept people
who don’t fit the mold.
I am one of them. I am not a traditional
Chaldean girl. I am a progressive
Chaldean girl. I am a Chaldean
girl who had a different background
and upbringing. I was born in Iraq,
but I lived in the United Arab Emirates
before immigrating to the States at the
age of thirteen.
This experience gives me a
unique perspective. I didn’t grow up
within a typical Chaldean space. Being
an openly progressive Chaldean
is not an act of rebellion or rejection
of my culture; rather, it is an act of
courage, inspiration, and pride to
find fellow progressive Chaldeans
who aren’t afraid to take up space. I
argue for the acceptance of progressiveness
within the Chaldean community.
My aim is to shed light on
the importance of cultivating an inclusive
and diverse space for fellow
progressive Chaldeans.
Recently, I shared my progressive
voice through a memoir essay titled,
“What Chaldean Girls Are.” In it, I
explore my experiences as an immigrant
Chaldean woman, challenging
communal expectations and delving
into profound themes such as cultural
identity, ideological perspectives, and
communal desperation.
Upon its release, my piece resonated
with many Chaldeans and people
MENA
HANNAKACHI
SPECIAL
TO THE
CHALDEAN
NEWS
from different backgrounds
as it touches on many universal
themes. My hope through
the memoir is to start a dialogue
on what it means to
be a progressive Chaldean
in our community. By sharing
my experiences, I hope to
foster a diversity of perspectives
that extend beyond traditional
viewpoints.
While my ideals are often
seen as a shift away
from my culture, my push
for diversity and inclusion in the
community is not an attempt of assimilation
or so called “whitewashing.”
It is a call for the community
to consider a different progressive
perspective. Upon finding my voice
as a progressive Chaldean girl, I have
a few thoughts on who we are.
To be a progressive Chaldean girl
is to embrace one’s cultural roots but
not be constrained or defined by cultural
expectations. It’s not a defiance
to challenge the status quo, but rather
a necessary act to foster change.
To be a progressive Chaldean girl
is to be an agent of change, a force for
inclusivity and acceptance, breaking
down the barriers of prejudice that
have held us back for far too long as a
community—all in the name of “being
Chaldean.”
I want to make it clear that being
a progressive Chaldean girl does not
mean abandoning our cultural identity.
It means enriching our culture
with new perspectives, fostering dialogue
between generations, and forging
a space that is both respectful of
the culture but open to the possibility
of change.
I think there is room to foster acceptance
and build a community
where our differences are celebrated.
I believe we can create a community
where we are defined not by expectations
but by the authenticity that we
bring to the world. .
COMING SOON!
The new Chaldean News app
is coming soon to your
iPhone or Android device!
Be among the first to be
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chaldeannews.com/app
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FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 9

FOUNDATION UPDATE
Youth Futsal
Camp at
the CCF
Husband and Wife Obtain
U.S. Citizenship
Upon arrival in the United States, Azmy Bashe and his family discovered an urgent
need for transportation. Learning about the Chaldean Community Foundation’s Michael
J. George Chaldean Loan Fund (MJG CLF), Azmy and his wife Liqaa met with
the MJG CLF committee and were approved for a loan to purchase a vehicle, which
they have since paid off.
The CCF was not done helping the Bashes. After residing in the United States
for one year, the CCF’s Immigration team assisted Azmy in applying for lawful permanent
resident status to obtain his Green Card. Then Azmy and Liqaa attended
the CCF’s 10-week Citizenship Preparation Course, which provided instruction and
preparation for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization
interview. With the help of the course, Azmy and Liqaa recently passed their
naturalization interviews and have obtained U.S. Citizenship.
“My family and I cannot express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the support
this great institution provided,” says Azmy, “and I call on all my colleagues
and friends facing obstacles to go to the Foundation and seek assistance.”
Advocating for Chaldeans
Azmy and Liqaa
Bashe celebrating
their citizenship.
With support from the Good Sports Foundation,
the Chaldean Community Foundation is hosting
a two-day indoor futsal (a type of indoor soccer)
camp for middle school (grade 6-8) students on
February 21 and February 23 from 9:30am-11:30 am.
Futsal is a fast, fun version of soccer that can be played in gyms
and other indoor spaces. The camp will take place at the Chaldean
Community Foundation and will be limited to 24 participants. For
more information, please contact the CCF at 586-722-7253.
New CCF Board Members
The Chaldean Community Foundation
welcomed two new members
to its Board of Directors:
Saber Ammori and Frank Toma.
Saber Ammori is Co-Chief Executive
Officer and co-founder of
Wireless Vision. He has over 25
years of experience in business
management and operations.
His entrepreneurial drive has
New CCF board members:
Frank Toma (left) and Saber
Ammori (right).
led him to start several successful businesses, most of them retail
oriented. Saber Ammori has been named one of dbusiness’s 500
Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit.
Frank Toma is President of Clean View Auto Wash, with several
locations in Michigan. Frank is also an active member of the CCF’s
Gala Committee. Frank and his company are also avid supporters
of the Mojo in the Morning Breaking and Entering Christmas Drive.
Congressman John James visited the CCF to hear from his constituents in the district
and to learn about the ongoing challenges in Iraq. CCF staff also met with Congresswoman
Lisa McClain and Congressman James Comer, and highlighted the contributions
Chaldeans are making in the region, while providing suggestions on how to
support displaced and marginalized Chaldean Iraqis.
Becoming New Drivers
Left to right: Congressman James Comer from Kentucky, Congresswoman Lisa McClain,
Martin Manna; Left to right: Sharon Hannawa, Congressman John James, Martin Manna
With funding through Community Telecommunications Network,
the CCF’s Breaking Barriers program has purchased an
indoor state-of-the-art virtual driving simulator to allow hard
of hearing and/or deaf learners the opportunity to experience
being in the driver’s seat, simulating speed, braking and vibration.
The H.E.A.L. Project helps better equip those with hearing
impairments to live independent lives. Assisted by an American
Sign Language interpreter for the deaf, the group is learning how
to become licensed drivers.
Participants will have an opportunity to take the written test followed
by a road test to obtain their state of Michigan driver’s license.
10 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 11

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Praying for Conversions
Hunter Nannoshi noticed something while watching football with his
dad, Ivan. The Detroit Lion’s kicker, Riley Patterson, wore a cross around
his neck. That gave Hunter an idea. “I have a rosary that is the same
color as the Lions colors. And when my dad told me he got us tickets to
the [Bears] game, I brought it with me to give it to Riley,” Hunter said.
At the
College
game on November 19, Hunter presented
Dreams
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the rosary with a little help from Nannoshi’s neighbors’ field pass.
The group hailed down a field personnel worker, telling him Hunter
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pre-game warmup to thank him for the rosary. Patterson
gifted Hunter with a game ball and the two
not be afraid to tell others about A FREE
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Hunter is not shy about telling others about Jesus.”
shared their love of Jesus with one another.
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An internet search found a 2018 senior
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Alex Ayar Ad (November 2023).indd 1
10/20/23 10:20 AM
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 13

IRAQ TODAY
People hold photos of a child killed in the Iranian strikes at the house of Peshraw Dizayi during a protest in front of the
U.N. office in Irbil, Iraq, on Jan. 16, 2024. Dizayi, a prominent Kurdish businessman, was killed in one of the Irbil strikes
along with members of his family.
Iran-Iraq Tensions Escalate
Iraq recalls ambassador, summons Iran’s
chargé d’affaires over strikes in Irbil
BY SALAR SALIM AND OMAR ALBAM (AP)
IRBIL, Iraq (AP)
Iraq recalled its ambassador from
Tehran for consultations and summoned
Iran’s chargé d’affaires in
Baghdad on Tuesday in protest over
Iranian strikes on northern Iraq that
killed several civilians overnight, the
Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.
The Iranian attack was “a blatant
violation” of Iraq’s sovereignty and
“strongly contradicts the principles of
good neighborliness and international
law, and threatens the security of the region,”
the ministry said in a statement.
Iran fired missiles late Monday at
what it said were Israeli “spy headquarters”
in an upscale neighborhood
near the sprawling U.S. Consulate
compound in Irbil, the seat of Iraq’s
northern semi-autonomous Kurdish
region, and at targets linked to the extremist
Islamic State group in northern
Syria.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in
a statement Tuesday that it launched
four missiles at IS positions in Syria’s
Idlib province and 11 missiles at
the Kurdish region in northern Iraq,
where it said it hit a center of Mossad,
the Israeli intelligence agency.
Qassim al-Araji, the adviser for national
security affairs to Iraq’s Prime
Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani
who is heading a committee investigating
the attack in Irbil, said Iran’s
“claims of targeting a Mossad headquarters
are baseless.”
“There is no reason for these attacks
and there is no excuse,” Masrour
Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdish
region, said in a news conference
in Davos while attending Tuesday the
World Economic Forum. “These attacks
should not remain without a response.”
The strikes came at a time of heightened
tensions in the region and fears of
a wider spillover of the ongoing war in
Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
They also came after the Islamic
State group claimed responsibility
earlier this month for two suicide
bombings targeting a commemoration
for an Iranian general slain in a
2020 U.S. drone strike. The attack in
Kerman killed at least 84 people and
wounded 284 others at the ceremony
honoring Revolutionary Guard Gen.
Qassem Soleimani.
Iranian state media quoted Gen.
Hassan Hassanzadeh, one of the commanders
of the Revolutionary Guard,
as saying that Monday’s strikes were
a response to a demand made by the
country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei.
He added they will continue their
“action” until “the enemies regret”
what they did.
Also on Tuesday, Iran launched
attacks, using missiles and drones,
targeting what it described as bases
for the militant group Jaish al-Adl, a
Sunni militant group largely operating
across the border in nuclear-armed
Pakistan, state-run IRNA news agency
said. Those reports were then suddenly
removed without explanation.
Pakistan did not immediately acknowledge
the attack.
Last month, Iran accused Israel of
killing a high-ranking Iranian general,
Seyed Razi Mousavi, in an airstrike on
a Damascus neighborhood.
It was unclear whether the strikes
PHOTO BY JULIA ZIMMERMANN / METROGRAPHY / AP
in Syria had, in fact, hit any targets associated
with the Islamic State group.
Mounir al-Mustafa, deputy director
of the civil defense in northwest Syria,
also known as the White Helmets, said
one of the strikes in Idlib targeted a
medical clinic that was no longer operating
in the village of Talteta in northwest
Idlib province. Two civilians suffered
minor injuries, he said.
Sami al-Qassim, who lives near the
targeted site, said the clinic was empty
and there were no militant activities in
the area.
The Iranian strike in Irbil killed at
least four people, among them Peshraw
Dizayi, a prominent local businessman
with a portfolio that included real estate
and security services companies,
along with members of his family.
The United States condemned
what State Department spokesperson
Matthew Miller described as “Iran’s
reckless missile strikes.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Nasser Kanaani said in a statement
that the strikes in Iraq and Syria
were “in line with the resolute defense
of the country’s sovereignty and security,
countering terrorism, and part
of the Islamic Republic’s punishment
against those who threaten the country’s
security.”
He said that Iran in “a precise
and targeted operation, identified the
headquarters of the criminals and targeted
them with accurate and precision-guided
projectiles.”
A few hundred demonstrators
gathered in Irbil on Tuesday to protest
the attacks.
In northwest Syria, a missile strike
Tuesday morning hit an area housing
teenage detainees at the Sinaa prison in
the city of Hassakeh, where hundreds
of IS fighters are jailed. The U.S.-backed
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces,
which operates the prison, said the
strike caused minor injuries and sparked
an unsuccessful prison break attempt.
SDF spokesman Siamand Ali told
The Associated Press that “we have no
specific information on who was behind
the attack.”
Albam reported from Taltela, Syria.
Associated Press writers Qassim
Abdul-Zahra and Abdulrahman Zeyad
in Baghdad, Abby Sewell and Bassem
Mroue in Beirut, and Amir Vahdat in
Tehran, contributed to this report.
14 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

Caught in
the Conflict
In a tragic incident on January 4th, the village
of Einshki in Dohuk province, Iraq, fell victim
to an airstrike carried out by Turkish planes, resulting
in both material and psychological devastation
within this small Chaldean community.
Einshki, home to approximately 48 Chaldean
families, witnessed profound effects on
its residents. The emotional and psychological
aftermath impacted their daily lives, exacerbating
their sense of insecurity.
Situated near the Turkish border, Einshki
has been a hotspot of political tension due to
the military conflict between the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish armed
forces. Local residents face significant challenges
due to ongoing fears of military operations
and a lack of security.
Gardinia Ghassan Youssef, an engineer and
political activist, shares her story amid this
challenging conflict, with her home suffering
significant damage. She appeals to the international
community and the Chaldean community
specifically to provide necessary support
for achieving peace and security in this
troubled region. This incident is not isolated,
raising concerns about the recurrence of similar
scenes in the future.
Gardinia’s home suffered extensive damage.
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FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

COVER STORY
Living Lent
Preparing to celebrate the resurrection
BY FR. JOHN JWAD
Lent is a liturgical season of
prayer and fasting that begins
for Chaldean Catholics this year
on Monday, February 12. It is a period
of preparation before the celebration
of the Lord’s resurrection at Easter.
Lent is a very important time for
Catholics around the world, but it is
especially meaningful for the Chaldean
community. These weeks of fasting,
prayer and almsgiving give us an
opportunity to spiritually and even
physically accompany our Lord in His
passion, so that we may share in the
joy of His resurrection.
Historically, our people viewed
Lent as one of the most important
times of the year. In the villages of
olden days, people fasted, refraining
from eating all food from sundown
until noon. They also completely abstained
from meat, dairy, and cooking
oil for all of Lent. Forefathers in our
Chaldean villages took Lent very seriously.
No weddings or joyful occasions
were celebrated during Lent (except
religious festivals) and all men were
expected to abstain from alcohol.
Today, the Catholic Church leaves
it up to the individual to choose how
to specifically fast. Many modern-day
Chaldeans fast from meat on the first
and last week of Lent as well as on all
its Fridays; that’s in addition to their
own personal Lenten promises.
In our liturgy, the Chaldean Church
also places great importance on the
middle week of Lent (Week 4) which is
nicknamed “pelu.” Based on the readings,
this middle week serves as a time
of reflection and prayer, asking the
Lord for strength to be able to fulfill
the rest of the days of Lent in perseverance
and faith.
Another point of great importance
is that in the Chaldean Church, Lent
officially begins on the Sunday before
Ash Wednesday, seven weeks before
Easter. The Friday before Lent begins
is called the Friday of the Deceased.
On this day, we remember and pray
for all those who have passed from
among us in hope of the resurrection.
Our Church fathers placed this memorial
right before Lent so that it may be
a chance for the faithful to remember
death in a personal way. It also hopefully
leads us all to repentance and
conversion; the Latin Rite Catholic
Church puts great emphasis on these
themes during their Ash Wednesday
services.
The Sunday after that is officially
the first Sunday of the Great Fast
(Soma Raba). This first Sunday is celebrated
liturgically as a great feast day
and is accompanied with many joyful
prayers which describe the joy we are
to have, since salvation is finally near.
Hence, all penitential practices and
fasting begin the day after (Monday)
and last until Easter.
On each Friday in Lent, many faithful
attend the Stations of the Cross and
reflect on the passion Christ endured
for our salvation. These fourteen stations
are accompanied by chants
which reflect on the passion that our
Blessed Mother also endured. It’s
beautiful to see the faithful practices
of our forefathers being upheld and
know that most of these practices still
live on today.
The faith of our community can
truly be witnessed, especially during
Lent. It gives me great joy to see our
parishes packed on Fridays for Stations
of the Cross and to see young and
old alike practicing some kind of fast
throughout Lent.
In these days as we approach Lent,
the big topic of interest in our community
is what to give up. Many people
get very anxious trying to think of the
perfect thing to give up while neglecting
to analyze the effect that this fast
will have on one’s spiritual life.
As we approach Lent this year, we
need to think more about not what we
are going to give up, but rather how
this fast, whatever it is, will allow us
to grow as individuals. Rather than
debating what to fast from, we need
to honestly ask ourselves: How can I
work on myself throughout these holy
days? How can I try wholeheartedly to
cleanse myself from different sins that
I continually struggle with in my daily
life? Let the Holy Spirit guide you and
don’t rush.
Take time in prayer and see what
the Lord is calling you to do this Lent.
As a community, we focus so much
on what we are going to eat and do
during Lent, rather than the spiritual
progress of our lives. There is no point
in fasting from food without trying to
fast from sin.
During this Lent, let us keep our eyes
on the prize. Let us remember that with
the grace of God we are called to transform
our lives. This is not an easy task,
but like our Lord who faithfully carried
His cross out of love, we too must rely on
His love to help us overcome temptation
in our lives and allow Him to grant us
victory over our sins.
16 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

FEATURE
Detroit’s Romance Renaissance
8 Places for a Romantic Date
BY SARAH KITTLE
Metro Detroit may not be top-of-mind for lovers
planning a romantic date night, but it
does offer everything you need and more!
Detroit has undergone a breathtaking revival in
recent years, blossoming into a vibrant and diverse
city with an expanding array of enchanting destinations
for a memorable date night. From the pulsating
energy of downtown to the scenic waterfront,
we look at eight extraordinary places that epitomize
metro Detroit’s romantic renaissance in 2024.
Experience Zuzu
Amid Detroit’s growing dining scene, Zuzu emerges
as a captivating addition, enticing couples with its
innovative cuisine and charming ambiance. Located
at 511 Woodward Avenue, Zuzu exudes modern
elegance with its lively decor, featuring a blend of
global chic and intimate sophistication. What sets
Zuzu apart is its eclectic menu, curated by classically
trained executive chef, Ivan Aguinaga, renowned for
his creative vision of Asian flavors.
The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and
seasonality is evident in each exquisitely crafted dish,
inviting patrons on a gastronomic journey that delights
the palate and sparks conversation. Zuzu’s intimate and
beautiful setting, coupled with its tantalizing menu offerings,
promises to elevate any date night to a culinary
experience that lingers long after the final bite.
Ford Wyoming Drive-In
For a nostalgic yet incredibly charming date night experience,
the Ford Wyoming Drive-In Theatre stands as
an iconic destination in metro Detroit. As one of the few
remaining drive-in theaters in the region, this historic
venue offers couples a delightful journey back in time.
Located in Dearborn, just outside Detroit, the
Ford Wyoming Drive-In boasts multiple screens
showcasing the latest blockbuster movies under the
starlit sky. The retro ambiance, complete with classic
concession stands serving up popcorn and snacks,
sets the stage for a cozy and intimate evening.
Sharing a car and blankets while watching a
double feature or catching a beloved film provides an
enchanting atmosphere for couples seeking a unique
and old-fashioned yet utterly enjoyable date night.
Redford Theatre
Surprise your date with a trip to Redford Theatre, a
retro movie theater on the outer edge of Detroit. Nestled
in the heart of the charming Old Redford neighborhood,
the Redford Theatre stands as a cherished
cultural gem and a perfect spot for an unforgettable
date night in Detroit.
This historic theater, a mini version of the Fox, is
adorned with ornate décor reminiscent of a bygone
era, exuding timeless elegance. Known for its classic
film screenings and live organ performances on the
original Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, the Redford Theatre
offers a nostalgic and immersive cinematic experience.
You can see screenings of classic films from
all decades, ranging from the silent film era to indie
classics from 20 years ago.
The theater’s meticulously preserved interior,
including its stunning ceiling mural and intricate
details, transports visitors to a cinematic paradise.
Attending a movie screening at the Redford Theatre
allows couples to relish the magic of classic cinema
while reveling in the theater’s rich history, making
for a truly enchanting and romantic evening.
Third Man Records
Situated in Detroit’s historic Cass Corridor, Third Man
Records holds a magnetic allure for music enthusiasts
and couples seeking an offbeat yet captivating
date experience. Founded by musician Jack White,
this iconic record store and vinyl pressing plant embodies
the city’s musical legacy.
Beyond being a haven for vinyl aficionados, Third
Man Records doubles as a performance venue where
local and touring artists grace the stage, providing
an intimate setting for live music. With its retro-chic
interior adorned with vintage recording equipment
and an extensive collection of vinyl records, the store
invites patrons to immerse themselves in Detroit’s vibrant
music culture.
18 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

The Spontaneity
of Love
BY BESHAR SHUKRI
Left to right: The view from Highlands Detroit; Redford Theatre has wonderful ambiance; Zuzu offers
unique treats.
Couples can spend quality time exploring the
eclectic music collection, attending live performances,
or even participating in workshops and recordcutting
sessions, fostering a shared appreciation for
music and creating lasting memories in the city’s
thriving music scene.
Checker Bar
Checker Bar, located at 124 Cadillac Square, and POP
+ Offworld Arcade upstairs, serve as an enticing fusion
of retro arcade gaming and delectable dining,
offering couples an unconventional and entertaining
date spot in Detroit’s downtown core. Combining
the nostalgia of classic arcade games with a vibrant
bar and restaurant atmosphere, Checker Bar together
with Offworld Arcade creates a unique experience.
Couples can relive their childhood memories
while engaging in friendly competition over a wide
array of vintage arcade games, from pinball machines
to iconic video game cabinets. The inviting
ambiance, complemented by Checker Bar’s mouthwatering
burgers and craft beer selection, encourages
a relaxed and enjoyable time. This dynamic venue
encourages playful interaction and shared laughter,
making it an ideal spot for couples seeking a laidback
yet spirited outing in the heart of Detroit.
Prism (Hollywood Casino Greektown)
Prism, located within the Hollywood Casino in Greektown,
stands as a sophisticated dining destination,
offering couples a luxurious and upscale experience
in the heart of Detroit’s Greektown district. With its
sleek and modern décor, Prism exudes an aura of elegance
and refinement. The restaurant’s ambiance,
combined with its panoramic views of the cityscape,
sets the stage for an intimate and romantic evening.
Prism’s menu, curated by acclaimed chefs, showcases
a tantalizing array of fine American cuisine with
a contemporary twist, featuring prime steaks, seafood
delicacies, and gourmet dishes crafted from locally
sourced ingredients. This upscale dining establishment
provides impeccable service, an extensive wine
list, and a delectable dessert selection, ensuring that
couples can savor a memorable and indulgent culinary
experience amid the allure of the casino atmosphere.
Revel Steak (MotorCity Casino Hotel)
MotorCity Casino’s culinary landscape has been elevated
to new heights with the introduction of Revel
Steak, the ideal destination for an enchanting
date night in Detroit. A stylish departure from tradition,
Revel Steak embraces steakhouse elegance
without the formality. Expect to find traditional
dishes and attentive yet relaxed service in the comfortably
modern dining room. Picture an intimate
table bathed in soft lighting, where couples can savor
the romance of the evening while indulging in
the finest cuts of prime beef. With its combination
of delectable cuisine, elegant atmosphere, and the
thrill of being at MotorCity Casino, Revel Steak
emerges as the perfect haven for couples seeking
a romantic and indulgent date night in the heart
of Detroit.
Highlands Detroit
Located on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center,
Highlands opened in 2019. With a great view of the
Detroit/Windsor skyline and a movie scene story to
boot (George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez filmed a romantic
bar scene here for the movie Out of Sight), it’s
a great place to go on a date.
Perched atop the Renaissance Center, Highlands
Detroit offers couples a refined and elevated dining
experience in a setting that overlooks the city’s skyline
and the Detroit River. As Detroit’s only AAA Four
Diamond restaurant, Highlands boasts an unparalleled
ambiance, blending contemporary elegance
with panoramic views that create an intimate and
romantic atmosphere.
The menu showcases a sophisticated blend of
modern American cuisine with a focus on locally
sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors. Couples
can indulge in exquisitely prepared dishes, complemented
by an extensive wine list and impeccable
service. The combination of breathtaking vistas and
culinary mastery at Highlands Detroit promises an
unforgettable dining experience, perfect for celebrating
special occasions or creating cherished memories
on a date night.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it is a
great place to start. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
In my first article published in October 2023, I
wrote about dating as a Chaldean in America
and discussed how dating has evolved from
the village days until now. At the time, I was single
and ready to use new methods offered by our
community to find a suitable partner, like speed
dating or personalized matchmaking. Less than
a month after the article was published, however,
I found that special person and committed
myself to a relationship with her.
“Spontaneous” means something sudden or
undetermined. That is how my first encounter
felt with Tammy. Up to that point, I believed that
I would go on more speed dates, talk to more
women, and eventually find someone compatible.
Love, however, doesn’t follow a straight
path. I’ve heard many cliches in the past, like,
“When you stop looking for it, you will find
her,” or, “Once you know, you’ll know.” At the
time, I considered these sayings outdated. Maybe
they were true at one point, but not in today’s
world. I laugh now as I understand them in a
much deeper way.
How did I meet this special lady? Well, if
you’re serious about God and you want to find
a wife, the best place to look is at church. That’s
where I met Tammy. A friend of mine was going
to be ordained as a minister, so I visited his
church and I happened to sit next to this wonderful
woman. She caught my attention with
her good looks and her methodical notetaking
during the sermon. I knew then that I needed
to meet her. My friend knew her and promised
to introduce us. Weeks later, he hosted a large
group to a game night at his house. I arrived,
enjoyed casual conversation with Tammy, and
we exchanged contact information. We started
talking the next day and haven’t stopped since.
Now, 3 months later, the spontaneity continues.
Due to her line of work as a nail salon manager
in West Bloomfield, she has a lot of Chaldean
clients. I found out that Tammy already knew
some of my aunts and has known one of my first
cousins for nine years. Though she is not Chaldean,
she was treated like family when I brought
her around. The more time we spent together, the
more we realized how many people in common we
know. It feels like we already knew one another
and were waiting to cross paths. Tammy spent 5
years and I spent 7 years praying for the moment
that God would bring us together. Though the time
we spent praying felt long, it made us appreciate
the relationship we have that much more.
My only advice or word of encouragement
would be this: Time spent looking for the right
one will only make the spontaneity of love that
much more enjoyable. Happy Valentines Day!
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

CHALDEAN KITCHEN
Lord Elia in her kitchen
with ingredients to
bake a cake.
Growing Up in Baghdad
Lord Elia was born and raised in Baghdad.
She lived in the Iraqi capital until
1996 when she immigrated to America
with her family at the age of 16.
Lord grew up in a traditional home,
where her mother, Bernadette, kept the
home and her father, Ameer, earned a
living. Lord has many fond memories of
her mother’s excellent cooking. “Mom
could make any dish you can imagine,”
she said proudly. However, Lord also
recalls that, “Mother was a perfectionist
and had one rule: My brother and I
were to stay out of the kitchen while
she cooked. As a result, she cooked and
prepared all the meals by herself.” The
kitchen was Bernadette’s domain.
While Bernadette kept busy preparing
traditional dishes, desserts,
yogurt and cheeses for her family,
she tasked her children with just one
responsibility: School work. Lord
recalls her mother asking that she
and her brother, Bashar, do well in
school and use their time for studying,
so they can earn top grades.
Because Bernadette did not involve
her children in the cooking process,
Lord never had the opportunity to work
side by side with her mother in the
kitchen or to cook together. This was
the norm for Lord during her formative
years and she did not object to the rules
set forth by her mother. Instead, Lord
focused on her schoolwork and is now
a pharmacist, married with two children,
with a home of her own to keep.
Iraqi Traditional Wedding Cake
A recipe for romance, just in time for Valentine’s Day
BY Z.Z. DAWOD
If you have ever attended a wedding
in Baghdad, chances are you were
served a particular cake which has
been popular at Chaldean weddings
since at least the 1950s. If you’re old
enough to remember those days, you
may even recall Baghdad Tower Bakery
(
), a specialty
shop that became well-known for
making this cake.
These days, alcohol is included in
many recipes — both with main dishes
and desserts — but this was not the
case back then: This cake recipe was
considered “fancy” by many because
it contained liquor. Adding red wine,
brandy or whiskey to a cake recipe was
reserved only for the most special of occasions.
With its rich taste and dense
texture, it’s possible that this cake became
a popular choice because dinner
was generally not a part of wedding
celebrations in those times.
For couples who lived in a big city
such as Baghdad, this would have been
the cake of choice for a major event.
This may partially have been the case
thanks to the availability of modern ovens
in densely populated areas. Village
life was different: Most homes in places
like Alqosh or Dohuk, were equipped
with a tanoor, the traditional clay oven
used for baking cookies and breads.
Hana and Sulaiman Yaqo at their
wedding in 1978. Every layer of the
wedding cake was real.
This “wedding cake” recipe is
unique because raisins and walnuts
are marinated in alcohol prior to baking.
This is done a day or two before
any baking takes place and it is the liquor-infused
raisins and walnuts that
give this cake its unique flavor.
The recipe presented here is a
“family-friendly” version developed
by Lord Elia, a West Bloomfieldbased
entrepreneur and Instagram
personality. The liquor is substituted
with date syrup and orange juice, a
variation on the original recipe. If you
PHOTO COURTESY HANA YAQO
are planning an adult-only event, feel
free to add your choice of liquor for
an even more intense aroma. On the
day I visited Lord’s home kitchen, she
prepared the alcohol-free version and
it was absolutely divine.
PHOTOS BY ALEX LUMELSKY
Necessity Breeds Entrepreneurship
While Lord worked long 14-hour shifts
as a pharmacist, her mother continued
to command the kitchen, assisting
with meal preparation for her
daughter’s family. As the years passed
by, Bernadette became a critical part
of the family, preparing a wide range
of traditional dishes, just as she had
done in previous decades.
When Bernadette passed away unexpectedly,
she left a great void and
Lord’s father, Ameer, stepped in help
out as much as he could. However,
it was clear that, if Lord wanted her
children to gr0w up eating traditional
Chaldean cuisine as she did, she
would need to learn how to prepare
these dishes herself.
That’s when Lord remembered
that her mother, ever the perfectionist,
kept meticulously organized notes for
an array of recipes all those years ago.
Browsing through her mother’s collection,
Lord found a gold mine of sources
to start from, including a nice collection
of special recipes that were given to her
mom by friends and family members.
As Lord fine-tuned her new craft,
she turned to Instagram to share what
she made and to connect with other
like-minded people also learning to
prepare traditional Chaldean meals.
This turned out to be a brilliant move
as she began to receive feedback on her
questions, lots of good ideas, and inspiration
to get creative with her baking
and decorating efforts.
As Lord’s Instagram channel grew
in popularity, people began to ask
for recipes, instructions and advice.
Eventually, the many requests sparked
an idea to start a business, preparing
premium sweets for special occasions.
A Date with Destiny
Determined to put her modern twist
on a dessert with deep traditional ties,
20 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

Lord went in search of an offering with
some cultural relevance. After much
reflection, research and experimentation,
she eventually settled on one of
the most traditional ingredients from
the Middle East the much beloved date.
Dates are one of the oldest known
fruit crops and they have been cultivated
in North Africa and the Middle
East for at least 5,000 years, according
to Domestication of Plants in the Old
World (Oxford University Press).
Since dates are also an integral
part of Chaldean culture and cuisine,
Lord’s idea was an easy sell and business
is now booming.
RECIPE
Iraqi
Traditional
Wedding
Cake
Recipe shared by Lord Elia
Dry Ingredients
3.5 cups flour
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground all spice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
Grated peel of 1 orange
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
5 large eggs
1 cup oil
1/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cups milk
1 cup orange juice
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup date molasses
Instructions
Mix raisins and chopped walnuts
together in a deep bowl, add the orange
juice and date molasses, cover
and set in refrigerator for two hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a baking pan. Sift
together flour, spices, salt, baking
powder, cocoa powder, baking soda
and starch. Set aside.
Beat 5 large eggs with sugar
(white and brown) until it forms
a frothy mixture. Add oil, butter,
milk, vanilla and orange peel. Beat
mixture at medium speed for about
two minutes. Gradually add the flour
mix in two batches, beat for about 2
minutes; the cake batter should start
to thicken.
Strain the walnuts and raisins
mix and save 1/2 cup of the marinade
mixture. Add the 1/2 cup of marinade
to cake batter and mix a little, then
add the strained walnut raisins mix
and just fold them in the cake batter
a little without using the mixer.
Pour cake mixture into your baking
pan and bake in oven for 50 to 55
minutes. Allow cake to cool completely
before serving. Enjoy!
If You Bake It, You Can Make It
With Valentine’s Day around the corner,
we encourage couples to explore Lord’s
traditional cake recipe. Go ahead, make a
special night of it and don’t be shy about
adding a bit of brandy to the mix. Baking
together as a way to celebrate and recall
Chaldean traditions from times past is
a wonderful way to bring old and new
traditions together. Although the marinating
requires some advance planning,
this recipe is super-easy to make and
bake just in time for your special someone
on Valentine’s Day!
Send photos of the cake you and
your special someone baked to
edit@chaldeannews.com. If you have
cherished wedding photos from days
gone by, send those in as well and
we will publish them on our website
throughout the month of February.
وصفة
كيكه عراقيه
مخمره او كيكه
االعراس العراقيه
لورد ايليا بيش
املواد الجافه
٣ و نصف كوب طحني
٢ ملعقه كوب كاكاو
٢ ملعقه اكل هيل
٢/١ ملعقه كوب قرفه
١ ملعقه كوب كبابة
١ ملعقة كوب جوزة الطيب
١ ملعقه طعام نشا
٤/١ ملعقه كوب ملح
٢ ملعقه كوب بيكنغ باودر
٢/١ ملعقة كوب بيكاربونات الصودا
١ كوب جوز مكرس
٢/١ كوب كشمش
برش قرش برتقاله
١ كوب سكر ابيض
٢/١ كوب سكر اسمر
املواد السائله
٥ بيض
١ كوب زيت
٤/١ كوب زبد مذاب
٤/٣ كوب حليب سائل
١ كوب عصري برتقال
٢ ملعقه كوب فانيال
٤/١ كوب دبس التمر
طريقه العمل
‎١‎‏.يخلط الكشمش و الجوز املكرس و ينقع مع كوب
من عصري الربتقال و يخلط معه سائل دبس التمر و
يرتك الخليط يف الثالجه ملده ال تقل عن ساعتني ليتخمر.‏
٢. يشغل الفرن عىل حراره ٣٥٠ درجه فهرنهايت
٣. يجهز قالب الكيك بدهنه بل زيت و الطحني و
يرتك جانبا.‏
٤. تخلط و تنخل كل املواد الجافه معا و هي
الطحني و البهارات املتنوعه و امللح و البيكنج باودر
و بيكاربونات الصودا و الكاكاو و النشا و ترتك
جانبآ.‏
٥. يف إناء مختلف نخلط البيض مع السكر األبيض و
األسمر و يرضب جيدا حتى يصبح الخليط به رغوه
٦. نضيف الزيت و الزبد و الفانيليا و
الحليب و قرش الربتقال إىل خليط البيض و السكر و
يرضب ملده دقيقه او دقيقتني .
٧. نضيف مزيج الدقيق تدريجيا عىل مرحلتني و
يرضب املزيج جيدا حتى يختلط ملده دقيقتني.‏
٨. يصفى منقوع الكشمش و الجوز من السائل
و يضاف ٢/١ كوب من هذا السائل إىل عجينه
الكيكه أعاله .
٩. يضاف خليط الكشمش و الجوز إىل عجينه
الكيك و يخلط يدويا
١٠. يقلب خليط الكيك يف قالب الكيك املدهون و
يخبز يف الفرن ملده بني ٥٠ إىل ٥٥ دقيقه .
١١. ترتك الكيكه لتربد متاما بعد ما تخرج من الفرن
قبل تقطيعها
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

FEATURE
IMAGE COURTESY WIKIMEDIA
The Silk Road (in green) was a key trade route that ran through Asia from modern-day China to Eastern Europe, passing through what is modern-day Iraq
(highlighted). Traditions of trade and commerce run deep in the Chaldean community. Paths marked in red represent other caravan routes.
From Mesopotamia to the Motor City
How pioneering Chaldeans created a community in Detroit
BY CAL ABBO
Part II
Silk Road Roots
Ancient Mesopotamia was home to
many great civilizations over different
time periods. Because of the people
and their inventions, the area is famous
for many things, even as history
is taught today, and is credited with the
birth of society and cities. Writing, agriculture,
laws, math, astronomy, citystates,
architecture, and many more
aspects of modern-day society that we
take for granted originated in this area
and within these communities.
Central to almost all these components
are trade and commerce, responsible
for furnishing these cultural
elements around the world and developing
them further. Often, Mesopotamia
found itself playing a critical role
connecting the Far East, the Middle
East, and parts of Europe.
Early trade in these societies, according
to the World History Encyclopedia,
involved basic goods like
ceramics, grain, leather, oils, and textiles.
Trade was conducted initially between
city-states and in the beginning,
these areas did not have the capacity
or logistics to travel to other civilizations,
many of which were too simple
to be called such.
Archaeologists discovered evidence
that as humankind developed,
ancient cities like Eridu, Ur, Uruk, and
Nippur came into contact and experienced
economic exchange with the Indus
Valley civilization in modern-day
west India around 7,000 years ago. As
a result of this contact, Mesopotamia’s
influence, as well as their tangible
goods, may have reached as far as the
Yellow River civilization in modernday
China.
When it began, this trade network
would be traveled mostly on foot.
Sometimes, these people were lucky
enough to have pack animals to carry
goods and supplies. A journey of this
magnitude could take months or years
to complete and likely involved other
trade mediators, nomadic or settled,
between the two civilizations.
Early trade generated a critical
moment in world history. It spurred
economic development and led to
the creation of many fundamental
technologies. Trade of all kinds led to
enhanced record-keeping and the development
of cuneiform, the earliestknown
writing in human history and
perhaps the strongest comparative
advantage leading to Mesopotamia’s
wealth and dominance.
Later, writing technology would
encompass the full scope of spoken
language, allowing for exponentially
greater understanding of ancient societies
as we uncover the past and chart
the development of literature.
From these records, historians discovered
the existence of glass and textile
factories in Mesopotamia that employed
thousands of people. The economies of
city-states relied on these trade routes
for goods not available in their region
and surplus grain that encouraged exponential
population growth.
Long-distance trade gradually increased
in volume over the centuries.
This reality enhanced the development
of animal domestication, leading
to increased use, breeding, and expertise
surrounding donkeys, camels,
and horses. Eventually, inventors realized
the usefulness of a circular wheel
pulling platforms of goods to and from
different places. It’s an appropriate coincidence,
then, that many Chaldeans
in modern times chose to move to the
Motor City, which can trace its technological
history directly to the invention
of the wheel and supply carriage.
Roads exploded in popularity.
Outposts and settlements were added
along trade routes and on paths to major
cities. City-states and empires raised
armies to defend these lucrative trade
routes from highway robbers. As trade
and civilization continued to develop,
more and more individuals became involved
in the industry and helped disperse
goods once they arrived at their
destination. Networking, merchanting,
and warehousing grew alongside, and
MESOPOTAMIA TO MICHIGAN
continued on page 24
22 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

FOLLOW THE SILK ROAD
From Mesopotamia
to Michigan
OUR DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS
JACOB BACALL
KARAM BAHNAM
MIKE DENHA
JEFF DENHA
PLUS, A SURPRISE GUEST!
OPENING COMMENTS
ADHID MIRI, PhD
Cultural & History Writer, Chaldean News
MODERATED BY
SARAH KITTLE
Editor-in-Chief, Chaldean News
THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
6:30 PM
SHENANDOAH
COUNTRY CLUB
5600 WALNUT LAKE ROAD
WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323
Emerging from an ancient culture and
developing over centuries — at the
crossroads of the “silk road” and other
trade routes between East Asia, the
Middle East and Europe — Chaldeans
brought traditions of trade to Michigan,
when they first began to settle in the
Detroit area a century ago.
Part of a year-long initiative to share
the Chaldean Story, this forum will
explore the roots of the Chaldean
entrepreneurial spirit. The event
will feature a distinguished panel of
entrepreneurs who will share personal
stories about the generational influence
on their own success. Adhid Miri, PhD
will provide a historical context and
Chaldean News Editor in Chief,
Sarah Kittle will moderate the event.
There is no cost to attend, please register at
chaldeannews.com/silkroad
Everyone who registers in advance will
be entered into a drawing to win a limited
edition “Made in Nineveh” gift box.
This event is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

MESOPOTAMIA TO MICHIGAN
continued from page 22
thousands of years of development and
history informed the future of these
people-groups.
After this initial age of trade and
civilizational development, even as
the major Mesopotamian powers fell,
trade routes prevailed. Some of the
most important routes in history relied
on the persistence and stability of the
Mesopotamian region even after its
golden age came and went. The Silk
Road passed directly through Babylon
and Baghdad to follow the mighty Tigris
River. The Incense Route stretched
south along the Arabian Peninsula
and the Royal Road had stops in modern-day
northern Iraq. These trails and
others shaped the lives, knowledge,
economy, and daily practices of
Chaldeans’ ancient ancestors.
Once Islam took hold and
gained power in the region,
centuries after the dawn of
Christianity and the conversion
of people living in the Middle
East, Muslim rulers often ostracized
the remaining Christians
from larger society. Some examples
of systemic persecution
involved levying special taxes
against Christians, preventing
them from obtaining positions
in government, requiring
certain dress codes, restricting
property ownership, limiting
the number of churches and
simplifying their architecture, depriving
them representation in court,
asserting social discrimination, and
even restricting travel.
One specific aspect of Islam helped
shape the role of Christians in the Middle
East. The Quran bans its followers
from consuming alcohol. In many
places, this was and still is enforced
legally. More importantly, though, the
Quran bans Muslims from selling alcohol.
This left a niche for the region’s
Christians to fill. Many Christians that
lived in Muslim societies served alcohol
through restaurants and stores to
the general population — including
Muslims who disregarded the Quran’s
rules, passing down the tradition
through generations, and building experience
in the service industry.
All these historical factors came
into play when the community felt
compelled to leave their homeland of
thousands of years. War, genocide,
persecution, and a lack of economic
prospects resulting from village life motivated
Chaldeans to find a new home.
The process took time, but over the past
century, the Chaldean community in
Detroit now numbers close to 200,000
people, according to recent data.
After learning about the opportunities
available to immigrants in Detroit,
almost all related to the auto industry,
a few brave Chaldeans in villages or urban
areas decided to try it out for themselves.
Some worked for the burgeoning
Ford Motor Company, like John Joseph,
“Man Who Was Born in Region of ‘Garden
of Eden’” according to a 1915 issue
of the Sunday Chronicle, whose story
lives on in the newspaper archives. This
new industry offered direct employment
opportunities, but Chaldeans aspired
to more and had more needs than
the average American, ultimately wanting
to bring their families and friends to
the land of opportunity.
Market Square (left) and Plum Market (right) offer an impressive array of fresh and prepared foods.
CHALDEAN
STORY
Beyond the Assembly Line
Some decades before this, the nation
experienced plenty of periods like the
one Detroit was going through. The
most appropriate example in this case
is the California Gold Rush. Over a period
of seven years, nearly 300,000
people migrated west to find work opportunities
and gold.
Overall, the area developed rapidly
and needed to accommodate the
exponential growth of people. The
most consistently successful people
who moved west were not those who
searched for gold themselves, but the
newcomers who were wise enough to
realize and act upon the opportunities
to provide services like saloons,
supply stores, restaurants, and housing
to the community there.
In this style, Chaldeans established
themselves in Detroit, moving on from
basic factory work into entrepreneurial
territory and imagination. As many
Chaldeans were farmers before their
transition to America, they began with
grocery services and stalls at farmers
markets. Eventually, these developed
into full-fledged stores where they
could employ and teach new Chaldeans
who arrived from Iraq. Detroit
was forever changed by the Chaldeans
who purchased and developed highquality
stores in the area.
Over time, some Chaldeans found
a sense of responsibility to the upstart
community and helped establish
a pipeline for Chaldeans to come
to Michigan, train as store operators,
and eventually become owners and
begin contributing to the economy.
Specific men, like Mike George,
whose legacy lives on in the hearts of
all the Chaldean families he helped
establish, financed business loans for
new immigrant families. Even today,
a loan fund in his name lives at the
Chaldean Community Foundation
and helps immigrants attain a vehicle
for a low interest rate.
In 1962, the Chaldean community
owned around 120 stores in Detroit
and its metro area. By the 1990s,
Chaldeans owned 1,500 stores. In
This report is made possible with generous support from
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.
many ways, the huge gamble paid off
for the Chaldean community as they
prospered with their new economic
engine. Their status as immigrants
whose native tongue was far from
common in Detroit was not dissimilar
to their status in the homeland,
separated linguistically from Arabic
speakers, religiously from Muslims,
and culturally from city-dwellers.
Trade continued to support and uplift
the community even as it had in ancient
times.
Modern-day grocery stores have
evolved from the smaller stores that
once dotted Detroit’s landscape. While
those still exist in the form of gas stations
and liquor stores, in tandem with
suburbanization, food and grocery
have become a more centralized endeavor
with larger and fewer stores.
Plum Market and Market Square
are two shining examples of the modern
Chaldean grocery store. They offer
high-end food items and serve
hot, prepared food for their customers.
This is a sign of the Chaldean
entrepreneurial spirit, the attitude
that brought the community this far.
Since the establishment of community
stores, Chaldeans have expanded
their business into many different facets
of life and encouraged their children
to join the professions.
Still now, as Chaldeans have
moved away from the storied lands
that are so well-documented in history
books, many traditions stay with
them. In Detroit, the Chaldean community
has become famous for servicing
all kinds of stores and selling
staples like gasoline, alcohol, and basic
food services. In fact, Chaldeans
leveraged these historical skills to
establish their families and peers in a
new society while providing an essential
service to its new community.
24 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

NOWHIRING
PENSKE JOB FAIR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 2024 | 2:00PM - 4:00PM
WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATES (ORDER SELECTORS)
$20 TO $27/HR- $1500 SIGN-ON BONUS
Be part of an exciting team supporting one of the nation’s largest grocery store chains. This
is a great opportunity for individuals who are safety conscious and have an outgoing attitude
who want to excel in a warehouse environment.
Penske offers a competitive wage
and great benefits including:
Paid Time Off
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
401K with company match
Chaldean Community Foundation
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org
586-722-7253
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

FEATURE
Progress Report
The Chaldean Community Center takes shape
BY CAL ABBO
Last year, the Chaldean Community Foundation
(CCF) and the Chaldean American Chamber of
Commerce (CACC) announced plans to renovate
The Corners, a former school building at Walnut
Lake and Inkster Roads. The newly acquired property
in West Bloomfield will serve as the headquarters for
the CACC and will also house other affiliated organizations.
Including the acquisition of the property and
the planned renovations, the project boasts a total
price tag of around $15 million. The new center will
be funded by a combination of state grants and as a
charitable campaign.
This isn’t the CCF’s first rodeo with building. Right
now, after years of planning, a massive affordable
housing development is being constructed in Sterling
Heights, and the CCF plans to renovate parts of
its Sterling Heights headquarters. Even more affordable
housing projects are being discussed internally.
Saroki Architecture, led by renowned architect
Victor Saroki, was chosen to design and architect
the renovations for the new headquarters. The firm
has designed dozens of commercial and residential
constructions in the metro Detroit area and is wellknown
in the Chaldean community for their work on
projects like Shenandoah Country Club, several Plum
Markets, and many restaurants.
The CCF awarded the work to Jonna Construction,
which began interior demolition in late 2023.
Like Saroki Architecture, Jonna Construction is
well-known in the Chaldean community for their
diligent planning and quality work. The firm has
constructed and renovated many corporate largescale
developments as well as community cornerstones
like Shenandoah Country Club and the grotto
at St. Thomas Chaldean Church.
The CACC plans to move its headquarters into a
portion of the building by the end of this year. The
full-scale grand opening of the new Chaldean Community
Center is planned for next year. With more
than 40,000 square feet to accommodate, the facility
will include many different features for the Chaldean
community to enjoy and explore.
While the CCF has a large and well-developed
presence in Macomb County through its Sterling
Heights location, it will attempt to match that effort
in Oakland County through its project in West Bloomfield.
The communities, however, have different demographics
and different needs, which will inform
the new location’s specific offerings.
On average, Chaldean residents in Macomb County
are newer to the United States, and their needs
tend to focus on acculturation to American society
through things like legal services, job placement, and
classroom instruction. On the other hand, Chaldean
families in Oakland County have likely been in the
U.S. for a generation or two, and their needs center
on business services and cultural preservation.
TV Studio, Radio Station,
and Demonstration Kitchen
After acquiring the Chaldean News several years ago,
the CCF expanded the publication to include plenty
of digital offerings including podcasting and video
reporting. While these initiatives have shown promise,
it’s difficult to launch digital deliverables without
a studio or equipment. A new studio, set up with
26 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

The future site of the Chaldean Community Center.
both TV and radio for podcasts, will rectify the problem
and provide the necessary support to take the
Chaldean News to the next level. The radio station
will also become the new base and operating headquarters
for the Chaldean Voice, a popular weekly
program that currently airs on AM radio.
Finally, the CCF will build a full-scale demonstration
kitchen, including space for a live audience. This
will help its mission to preserve and share Chaldean
recipes and techniques, making it easy for anyone to
learn our culinary traditions.
The Chaldean Community Center will also include
a 90-seat theater fit for a variety of programming like
movie screenings from the CCC, large presentations,
and community town hall meetings.
Lobby, Outdoor Seating,
and Gymnasium
The CCF is building an extensive 2,000 square foot
lobby area for the new campus and will include a
small outdoor area with tables and chairs. This will
Business Incubator
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce
launched its first venture capital fund in 2020 with
an aim to raise money from its members. Ark Angel
Fund (AAF) vetted hundreds of companies and invested
in seven of them, ranging from an up-andcoming
shoe brand that uses recycled materials to a
telehealth company that uses Virtual Reality headsets
to treat mental health issues. In addition, the
Fund has launched its second iteration, AAFII, with
an investment goal of $2.5 million.
The CACC has ambitious plans to provide basic
business services to Chaldean startups as well as companies
in the existing portfolio. The business incubator
will include computers, software, work spaces for startups
and space for existing portfolio companies to work
as well.
With more than 40,000 square feet to accommodate,
the facility will include many different features for the
Chaldean community to enjoy and explore.
Chaldean Cultural Center, Bishop Ibrahim
Library, and Theater
The Chaldean Cultural Center (CCC) is currently located
inside Shenandoah Country Club, but efforts
are underway to move it to the new facility once complete.
The unique museum houses plenty of exhibits,
records, and archives about Chaldeans from ancient
times until now. At the new Chaldean Community
Center, the allotted area for the CCC is more than
twice its current size. Most of the items currently displayed
in the museum will be moved to the new location,
but the Chaldean Cultural Center is planning a
redesign, including additional galleries and new exhibits
to accommodate the new space.
Coupled with the Chaldean Cultural Center’s
move, the addition of the Bishop Ibrahim Library will
make the new center a hub for culture and history.
The library will contain original manuscripts, some
dating back to the first century, and will provide a
quiet place to study and conduct research.
allow the CACC and all the affiliated organizations to
better serve its members by hosting events in their
own space.
When it was still functioning, The Corners had a
gymnasium that has since fallen into disrepair. The
CCF will renovate and expand it to include a larger
basketball court and increased functionality. The
CCF plans to host programs for seniors and youth to
be able to stay active as well as offering another event
space in addition to the lobby.
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 27

LIFE SKILLS
Money Matters
Language, cultural barriers,
and predators present perils
for immigrants
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Coming to a new country can be
daunting. A new language. An
unfamiliar culture. Everything
is different. On top of all that, add a set
of rules, regulations, and customs regarding
finances that are strange and
confusing.
There are many financial perils
facing those new to life in the United
States, particularly if immigration
takes place under duress. Moving
money safely from one country to another,
establishing a bank account, securing
credit, understanding the terms
and policies of loans, credit cards,
leases, and other contracts are just the
tip of the iceberg when getting financially
established in a new country.
An article on the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau’s website
(consumerfinance.gov) identifies a few
of the obstacles to a smooth transition
that immigrants face. The Bureau is a
U.S. government website containing
resources on financial issues.
One of the difficulties immigrants
encounter, according to the Bureau, is
access to account and banking services
due to a person’s immigration status,
even in the presence of good credit
scores and other documents that demonstrate
ability to pay.
Language is another strong barrier
to a smooth financial transition
for many immigrants, denying them
“fair and competitive access to financial
services and products,” according
to CFPB. The Bureau further points out
that the lack of “in-language communication”
is often not available, hobbling
availability of many services to
immigrants and inhibiting their ability
to access services, understand terms
and conditions, and resolve disputes.
The CFPB points out that immigrants
are vulnerable to “predatory actors,”
including service providers who
charge exorbitant fees and mislead immigrant
consumers with in-language
marketing exploiting comfortable cultural
norms and incorporating easyto-use
products and convenient access.
Often the terms of loans awarded
through these portals are predatory,
featuring unfavorable conditions and
interest rates.
With these dangers in mind, there
are resources and practices to help
new immigrants become financially
established in the United States.
Remitly (remitly.com), a financial
services company for immigrants, outlines
a number of financial strategies
available to newcomers.
Planning for expenses six months
in advance, starting off banking with
a bank in your home country using
international branches, learning how
credit and credit cards work, and creating
a budget and emergency fund
are among the suggestions Remitly
makes for new immigrants.
Next Steps
Outside of accommodating language
and cultural differences and working
to avoid being taken advantage of by
predatory companies and unscrupulous
actors, much of the financial
planning advice directed toward immigrants
follows the conventional
wisdom offered by financial planners
to their clients.
“The first thing I always tell investors
is that if you want to build wealth
you have to spend less than you earn,”
says Michael Acho of Lincoln Financial
Advisors. He likens acquiring
wealth to losing weight—eat less than
you burn.
So, what are the first steps to getting
to this healthy formula?
Stephen Yono, CFP, CPA, says that
many people are motivated to emigrate
to the United States by a desire to
achieve financial stability. He says the
first step should be to build a budget.
“This can be difficult early on, especially
if income and expenses are
unpredictable. Emergency savings
should also be a consideration. Once
those are established, financial goals
should be considered such as planning
for retirement, education savings,
and saving for major purchases.”
Acho recommends targeting a
percentage of income for savings, as
much as a person can afford and still
pay “mandatory” bills such as mortgage
or rent and car payment.
“The first thing you want to do is
have money in the bank —an emergency
fund,” says Acho. “There is
little or no interest on these accounts,
but it gives you three or six months of
income in case you lose your job.” He
says the exact amount is flexible and
FEBRUARY 20-25
FISHER THEATRE / BROADWAYINDETROIT.COM
GROUPS (10+) BROADWAYINDETROITGROUPS@THEAMBASSADORS.COM
(SUBJECT: PRETTY WOMEN)
varies from person to person based on
how soon a person thinks it will take to
replace that income.
“Planning for the unexpected,
such as being laid off or unable to
work, is a crucial component of the financial
planning process. This is why I
want my clients to maintain a cushion
of at least six months’ worth of living
expenses,” says Yono. “Health is also
a major component of the financial
planning process. Life insurance and
disability insurance can protect a
family in the event the breadwinner
passes or is incapacitated. There is no
one size fits all product here, so it’s
important to speak with a reputable
financial professional to determine
what suits your needs.”
28 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

“H H H H H
UNMISSABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE.”
RICHARD THOMAS is
ATTICUS FINCH in
HARPER LEE’S
TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD
A new play by
AARON SORKIN
Directed by
BARTLETT SHER
MARCH 5-17 • FISHER THEATRE
BroadwayInDetroit.com
March 19-24 • Fisher Theatre
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If You Have Money,
Hire a Professional
If it sounds like a person might need
some help with these decisions—and
with where to invest any extra money—that’s
right. But who should a
person with little financial experience
talk to?
“Whether it’s an attorney, financial
planner, CPA, bank, or insurance
agent, an individual should ask the
right questions to know what services
are provided by that professional and
how that professional is compensated,”
says Yono.
“Also, it’s important to perform
your own research to ensure that a recommendation
is suitable for you. For
example, some life insurance vehicles
and annuities are high commission
products that may not be suitable for
everyone,” he added.
Once you come into contact with
one competent, established professional,
that person can be an ally in
finding others.
“If a client has a need beyond the
scope of a professional’s expertise, the
professional will typically have a network
of other professionals to recommend,”
says Yono. “I have a few CPAs
and estate planning attorneys within
my network that I rely on to provide
my clients with quality service that are
outside the scope of what I can offer.”
Acho recommends finding trustworthy
specialists and letting them do
their jobs. He says he often jokes with
his clients: “I don’t fix my own car; I
don’t cut my own grass. This is what I
do. So if I need somebody to come do
some other stuff for me I’m willing to
pay money to have somebody do that.”
Once a person’s immediate needs
are planned for and a plan is in place
for the future, there remains the issue
of what happens after you are gone.
“Almost everyone needs some form
of estate planning,” says Yono. “A welldesigned
plan preserves the value of
your assets and reduces unnecessary
taxes and expenses, all while ensuring
your heirs receive what you intended
them to receive.”
According to Yono, “These are
some key life events that may warrant
engaging an estate planning attorney:
home ownership, marriage and remarriage,
having children, receiving an
inheritance, divorce, or even extensive
travel plans may facilitate the need
to engage an estate planning professional.”
The journey of financial planning
starts out simple but gets more complicated
as a person’s life expands.
Property, family, retirement and estate
planning make financial planning a
bit like a snowball rolling downhill,
gaining size as it goes. Having a plan
and the right people in place to help
makes it more manageable.
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 29

ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE
That’s Amore
Tania’s looks to expand its ‘stuffed pizza’ footprint
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Above: Tania’s famous stuffed pizza.
Right: Amos Sheena with parents Muntaha and Ihsan.
Tania’s Pizza has long been an
iconic Royal Oak institution.
Nestled in an unassuming little
strip mall behind a Sunoco station at
the corner of 13 Mile Road and Crooks,
Tania’s has been dishing out its signature
stuffed pizza since 1987.
The then-beer and wine shop began
feeding hungry Kimball High
School (now Royal Oak High School)
students during their lunchbreak and
after school, then the high schoolers’
families on weekends and eventually
the broader community.
Today, the store has expanded into
an adjacent space, has added liquor
to its offerings and is moving forward
with plans to move its made-fromscratch
pies onto grocery shelves.
Despite its growth and ambitious
plans, Tania’s remains a family business.
Owner/operator Amos Sheena
runs Tania’s along with parents Ihsan
and Muntaha. Amos’ sister, Tania,
handles the accounting, invoicing and
other administrative duties. One other
brother is a minority partner, and another
is not presently involved in
the business.
Ihsan says all four children
worked for the business until
they were married. Ihsan chose to
name the store for Tania, his only
daughter and eldest child.
Amos returned to Tania’s after
graduating from college and starting
a career in financial planning. He
intends to expand the business and
provide members of the community
with career opportunities. He hopes his
legacy will be sharing the business opportunity
and a positive work culture
with a larger family—the community.
However, Tania’s and its stuffed
pizza almost never happened. Ihsan
worked selling real estate and operated
grocery, beer-and-wine, and liquor
stores in Detroit beginning in 1969. He
ultimately sold his liquor store and
began delivering pizzas for Domino’s
Pizza with an eye toward becoming a
franchisee.
Then fate intervened. The Domino’s
opportunity never materialized. At
the same time, the business that was
housed in the space Tania’s now occupies
was going broke and selling. It was
a beer-and-wine store that sold pizza.
Ihsan and Muntaha took the money
from the liquor store sale slated for a
Domino’s franchise and put it toward
buying the failing Roberto’s store.
Ihsan had a longstanding fascination
with pizza. He was now free to
develop his unique blend of dough,
sauce, cheese, and spices. He read
trade magazines, talking to suppliers
and other vendors. He worked with
Muntaha to develop the stuffed pizza
that only Tania’s serves.
The pizza from Tania’s is difficult
to describe. It is stuffed, but not super
thick like Chicago-style pizza. It has
a buttery, light, but sturdy crust and
a construction that stays together in
one’s hand. Tania’s pizza is delicious
and addictive. Connoisseurs of Detroitarea
pizza will not find anything like
it. Not even close.
Ihsan says many pizzerias over the
years have tried unsuccessfully to imitate
Tania’s pies. Amos, who says the
recipe can be taught and the ingredients
acquired, isn’t worried about anyone
succeeding in eclipsing Tania’s.
The business is about more than the
pizza, he says.
Tania’s works with Royal Oak High
School administration to help students
learn about business and sponsors
sports teams and other community
ventures.
Involvement in the community is
a direct outgrowth of traditional Chaldean
culture for Ihsan, Muntaha, and
family, who still get together every
Sunday.
As Tania’s professional family
grows, it will take the road less traveled.
Instead of expanding into multiple
carry-out locations or sit-down
restaurants, Tania’s has begun to
move into the grocery and grocerydelivery
space.
Amos says Tania’s has received
the USDA approval needed to sell
meat products in grocery operations.
This allows Tania’s to sell
cook-at-home pizzas through grocery
outlets. The pizzas are sold
fresh, not frozen, in a vacuum
seal-looking package that Amos
says gives the pies a long shelf life,
verified by lab-testing. They cook
fast, in 6-12 minutes, and retain the
quality and flavor of the cooked-toorder
version (I home-tested one).
Tania’s has arrangements with two
Door Dash-owned stores that supply
grocery items to the delivery service.
Amos is working to get Tania’s into
traditional grocery stores and expects
this to happen “soon.”
Even in grocery expansion, Amos
says Tania’s considers family values.
Rather than ordering a pizza to go or
going out to a pizza restaurant, Tania’s
business plans encourage families to
cook pizzas at home and spend time
together, he says.
The story continues for the pizza
place that almost wasn’t. And it continues
its own way, keeping family and
community values at its core.
30 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

SPORTS
Brendin Yatooma: Kind-Hearted Wrestler
BY STEVE STEIN
Brendin Yatooma takes down Northern Illinois’ Carter Grewe during the Michigan State Open in November. Yatooma won 5-1.
Brendin Yatooma’s athletic resume
is impressive. He’s also
an impressive human being.
Just ask Aaron Babicz, the longtime
athletic director at Novi Detroit Catholic
Central High School.
Yatooma graduated from Catholic
Central in 2020 after being an outstanding
football player and wrestler for the
Shamrocks. He also served as senior
class president at Catholic Central
and was a board member for the Caleb
White Project, a not-for-profit run by
students from across the Detroit area
that works to alleviate homelessness.
“I’ve known Brendin for a long
time,” Babicz said. “He’s an old soul
who has always been mature for his
age and is kind-hearted. He’s stoic,
but he has a great sense of humor. And
he has a blue-collar work ethic he got
from his parents.”
Yatooma, 21, is a senior academically
at the University of Michigan and
a member of the nationally ranked Wolverines
wrestling team, with two years
of eligibility remaining after this season.
He makes his way back to Catholic
Central often, especially during the offseason
for wrestling, and occasionally
acts as a mentor and sounding board
for current Shamrocks athletes.
“I love to see Brendin come back
to our school because he’s a servant
leader,” Babicz said. “I’ve seen him
encourage a kid who just missed a
tackle or lost a tough wrestling match.
“He exemplifies the Catholic Central
culture. I miss having him around,
but he makes us appreciative of the
work we do with kids.”
Culture is one of the main reasons
why Yatooma chose to attend U-M at
the end of an exhaustive recruiting
process. “U-M was most similar to
what I was used to at Catholic Central,”
he said. “There’s a family culture
and a winning culture there. You’re
more than just a Division I athlete.”
In addition to choosing a college
while he was being recruited, Yatooma
had to choose a sport. He was a threeyear
starter and two-time All-Catholic
League linebacker in football at Catholic
Central. He had 88 tackles and four
sacks in his senior season.
He also was a two-time individual
state champion wrestler for the Shamrocks,
winning titles in the 215-pound
weight class in 2019 and 2020, and a
contributor to four team state championships.
He went 162-26 in his Catholic
Central wrestling career, including 49-1
as a senior, and he had 97 career pins.
Yatooma received football offers
from Central Michigan University and
several smaller schools. He chatted
with U-M coaches about possibly playing
football and wrestling there.
“That would have been too tough,”
Yatooma said. “Wrestling practice
starts in November, so there would
PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL
have been an overlap of seasons. Plus,
I have a tough major (economics).”
In the end, Yatooma chose U-M
and wrestling. “It was tough to give up
football,” he said. “I’d been playing
football since I was in first or second
grade. I missed football a lot in my early
years at U-M. Now I’m content with
my decision.
“Looking back, I just didn’t feel
the pull for football like I did for wrestling.
I felt it was God’s calling for me
to wrestle.”
Yatooma will graduate from U-M
this spring with a bachelor’s degree in
economics. He said he plans to stay at
U-M and wrestle for at least one more
year so he can pursue a master’s degree
in management in the Stephen M. Ross
School of Business before he embarks
on a career in the financial world.
Yatooma has been bit by the injury
bug a couple times during his U-M
wrestling career. After being a starter
last season and competing for U-M in
the Big Ten tournament, he’s been battling
an elbow injury this season and
had competed in only five matches
through mid-January. His collegiate
career record at the time was 14-27.
Yatooma went 2-2 and finished in
fourth place at the annual Michigan
State Open on November 11. He defeated
Michigan State’s Kael Wisler
4-2 and Northern Illinois’ Carter
Grewe 5-1.
A star in the classroom at Catholic
Central, Yatooma has continued his academic
success at U-M. He was a Michigan
High School Athletic Association
Academic All-State selection in 2020,
and he was named to the Academic All-
Big Ten team the last two years.
Yatooma said wrestling has helped
his academics through the years.
“Wrestling teaches you to be disciplined
and make sacrifices when you
need to,” he said.
Yatooma’s parents are Adam, a
key account executive for Google, and
Tara. He has a younger brother Logan,
19, a former Catholic Central lacrosse
player who’s now a freshman at Michigan
State University. The family lives
in South Lyon.
32 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

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FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 33

February Cover Stories
Through the Years 2004-2023
As promised, each month this
year we will highlight the cover
stories of that month over
the last two decades. This serves as a
timeline of what we thought was worth
reporting, and what the community
was concerned with at that time.
For instance, the first cover of the
first issue of the Chaldean News declared
Chaldeans “An Ancient People
in Modern Times.” The inaugural issue
was not just about uniting the community;
it was also about defining who
the community was for the rest of the
Metro Detroit population.
The 2005 February cover celebrated
the first year of publication, detailed
the many strides the community
had taken to further establish itself
here in Michigan, and again raised
the question about refugees returning
home. Unfortunately, the situation in
Iraq remains dire to this day.
In 2006, the cover for February
was about the changing faces of the
Chaldean community. The article went
in-depth exploring the community’s
past, present, and future. Church leaders
expressed the importance of maintaining
the Aramaic (Sureth) language
as a unique piece of culture.
2007 covered the mixed reaction
in the community to Saddam Hussein.
He was a brutal dictator in a land of
brutal dictators; however, Christians
were tolerated under Saddam, and he
even appointed one to his administration.
Politics is rarely ever clear cut.
The 2008 cover celebrated community
members that took an oath
to serve and protect—in other words,
Chaldean cops. These brave men and
women risk their lives in pursuit of the
greater good, and we all know it’s not
for the money.
Speaking of money, things weren’t
always going so well for Shenandoah
Country Club, and in 2009, massive
business debt was a sign of the times.
The cover story that year asked the
question: Will Shenandoah weather
the storm? Of course, we know that
‘Doah is alive and thriving, having just
gone private a few years back.
2010 was a year of reflection and
growth. The cover story detailed the
many changes in the community in the
decade previous, including the birth of
the newspaper, the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce, and the
Chaldean Community Foundation; the
opening of Shenandoah and the Chaldean
Cultural Center; and the massive
growth in the Church. The first decade
of the 21st century, one that many labeled,
“The Lost Decade,” was very,
very good to the Chaldean community.
Just as improvements in production
allow for more leisure time, advancements
in the community allow
for more sport. We were more than
willing to celebrate the accomplishments
of our youth and featured Justin
Meram, a soccer player who was drafted
in the first round (fifteenth overall)
in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Justin was
credited as the first Chaldean to advance
to play professional sports, went
on to become the first in major league
soccer history to be called up by Iraq.
In 2012, when everyone was talking
about “food deserts” across the country,
grocery store owners in Detroit and those
that represented them, such as AFPD
(Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers)
and the Chaldean American Chamber
of Commerce took offense. The AFPD
provided a map that showed the location
of all 86 stores in the city that qualified
as “groceries,” meaning they carried
fresh meat, produce, deli, dairy, and frozen
foods. At the 2023 CACC Awards Dinner,
Detroit City Council member Kwame
Kilpatrick Jr. acknowledged the role
Chaldean grocers played and credited
the store owners with “saving Detroit.”
That’s quite an endorsement!
2013 saw the birth of the February
“Wedding Guide,” which continued
with some variation through to 2020.
Exceptions included 2014, which was
the tenth anniversary edition; 2017,
which showcased four seasons of weddings;
and 2018, which looked at the
differences between modern day weddings
and weddings of the past.
2021 was all about Pope Francis’
historic visit to Iraq and the media
coverage the visit inspired. 2022 was
the year we brought you stunning photos
of Iraqi villages from photographer
Wilson Sarkis and began a 12-month
photo essay series. In 2023, we brought
the theme back to weddings and featured
some extraordinary marriages
that have stood the test of time.
We hope you enjoy every word and
photo!
34 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

CALLING ALL MICHIGAN
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 NATIONAL CIVICS BEE
Demonstrate your civics knowledge and community
leadership through participation in the National Civics Bee.
Each local finalist
that participates
in the National
Civics Bee®
Local Competition will receive a
Chromebook provided by Comcast!
Essay Portal Opens: Nov 13th
Essay Portal Closes: Feb 19th
SCAN QR CODE TO ENTER
Local Bee Takes Place:
Saturday, April 13th, 2024
11:00am-2:00pm
1ST PLACE $500
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
3601 15 MILE RD.
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310
2ND PLACE
3RD PLACE
$250
$125
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 35

NEW AMERICANS
Patrick N’golo and wife Nicha (center) pose with Helen Hicks and other supporters at the closing of their new home.
Coming to America
The Patrick N’golo story
BY SARAH KITTLE
‘
New Americans’ is a compelling
series that shines a light
on the remarkable journeys
and resilience of immigrants within
the vibrant Chaldean community.
Join us as we delve into the impactful
work of the Chaldean Community
Foundation (CCF), a beacon of hope
and support for newcomers striving to
assimilate and thrive in their adopted
homeland.
Through poignant narratives and
firsthand accounts, ‘New Americans’
showcases the Foundation’s pivotal
role in aiding individuals and families
as they navigate the challenges of
resettlement, preserve their cultural
identity, and contribute to the rich
tapestry of American society. It is an
inspiring exploration of courage, determination,
and the transformative
power of community as we witness
the stories of those forging new beginnings
in a foreign land with the invaluable
assistance of the CCF.
“The basic idea of welcoming immigrants
to our shores is central to
our way of life — it is in our DNA. We
believe our diversity, our differences,
when joined together by a common
set of ideals, makes us stronger, makes
us more creative, makes us different.
From all these different strands, we
make something new here in America.”
- President Barack Obama, July 4,
2014.
Meet Patrick N’golo. No, he isn’t
Chaldean, nor is he from Iraq. Patrick
is from the Democratic Republic of
Congo, where decades of clashes between
armed groups, widespread violations
of human rights, and devastating
incidents of gender-based violence
have displaced 6.1 million people.
Sound familiar?
Patrick’s father, an ambassador
in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC), was murdered in front of him
simply for speaking out about basic
human dignity and respect. When
Patrick spoke out about his father’s
death, he, too, became a target. In
2018, Patrick was sentenced to prison
by the DRC government.
When broken out of prison by family
friends, he went into hiding, unable
to contact his wife and four sons for
months. He needed to get out, but his
passport was at the office of his former
employer. Friends once again helped
him, retrieving Patrick’s passport and
arranging transportation for him to go
to the United States and seek asylum.
Patrick found help in the form of
Freedom House, a place for legal non-
English speaking asylees, refugees and
PHOTO COURTESY OF MACOMB HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
immigrants in Chicago. “They were the
first kind hands that shook mine while
I was reeling over the assassination of
my parents and the parting from those
I loved, my beautiful wife and my four
boys,” Patrick said at a speech in November.
Freedom House was only the beginning.
Patrick next reached out to
the French United Methodist Church.
“Most of the members there are legal
asylees and refugees like me, who find
some comfort in speaking our native
language with others,” said Patrick in
that same speech.
French is Patrick’s native language,
and Nathalie Bochet, with
Macomb County’s Habitat for Humanity
(HFH), was his champion once he
came to Michigan. He was assisted
by Reverend Dr. Charles Boayue, who
serves on the advisory board at that
organization. Patrick started to learn
English and acquired employment; he
was on his way but missed his family
a great deal.
Patrick had been on the run and
hadn’t had a steady job for two years
before coming here. Although he was
working three jobs and saving all he
could, it wasn’t enough. Given a slowdown
in issuance of Green Cards and
his current low-income status, Patrick
had huge hurdles in his search
for affordable housing, ones that HFH
helped him overcome.
Working with the City of Eastpointe,
HFH found Patrick a tax-reverted
home to rent, with the intention
of someday owning it. The city’s
residents adopted Patrick, donating
household items and offering contractor
services. Beds were donated in
preparation for Patrick’s family to join
him. His new neighbors even planted a
tree in his new front yard as a symbol
of neighborly love.
Patrick was overwhelmed by this
outpouring of support, but the citizens
of America weren’t done helping
yet. On Father’s Day in 2022, the N’golo
family was reunited in Detroit. Several
donors made that possible, but the
money for the trip was mostly given by
Ray and Doreen Gierach.
So, Patrick’s family was here. Now
what?
Green cards were needed for Patrick’s
wife, Nicha, so she could work,
and for the boys, so they could attend
school. Also, many programs designed
to assist immigrants require a Social
Security Number (SSN), and Patrick
struggled for over three months to get
SSNs for his wife and sons.
“Our immigration system is broken,”
opines Nathalie Bochet, referring
to the process Patrick had to follow.
“Patrick was in our office on a
weekly basis for months.”
Enter the Chaldean Community
Foundation.
At a meeting of nonprofits, the
stars aligned for Patrick N’golo and his
family when Helen Hicks of Habitat for
Humanity met Sharon Hannawa, who
manages the Refugee Acculturation
Sustainability Training (RAST) Program
at the CCF.
“She [Sharon] told me ‘The runaround
stops here,’” said Nathalie, after
explaining Patrick’s situation.
Using contacts and relationships
that the CCF has fostered over two decades,
Sharon made a couple of calls,
to the Department of Human Services
(DHS) in Warren, and to the Department
of Justice (DOJ). Cutting through the red
tape made all the difference in Patrick’s
case, and he was finally able to get Green
Cards and SSNs for his family.
Sharon “waved her magic wand,”
said Nathalie, “and we are all so grateful.”
36 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION
NOW ENROLLING FOR WINTER CLASSES
JANUARY 9, 2024 – MARCH 21, 2024
Tuesdays and Thursdays
MORNING SESSIONS
9:30 am – 11:30
am
OR
EVENING SESSIONS
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
To register please call CCF at 586-722-7253
$40 registration fee
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 3601 15 MILE ROAD, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 586-722-7253 CHALDEANFOUNDATION.ORG
FEBRUARY 2024 NEWS 37

CULTURE & HISTORY
Iraqi Christian Contributions
BY ADHID MIRI, PHD
Top row, from left: Dr Anna Sttian, Abd Al-Masih Wazir, Anstas Mary Al-Karmali, Behnam Abu Alsouf and Dr. Nouri Yousif Mary
Second row, from left: Dr. Siranoush Al-Raihani, Dr. Suad Yousif Mary, Gorgees Awwad, Minister Yousif Ghaniema and Munir Bashir
Part II
We continue our story from
the May 2023 issue covering
the contributions, the
experiences, the challenges, and the
ups and downs of a community that
was and continues to be part of the diverse
Iraqi community. Unfortunately,
the same sad story and plight of Iraqi
Jews, Yazidis, Mandeans, Armenians,
Assyrians, and Chaldeans in the 20th
century is now being repeated in the
21st century.
Iraq is not Iraq if we exclude from
its collective memory major Christian
enlightenment figures such as historians,
academics, scientists, doctors,
lawyers, writers, journalists, archeologists,
artists, and poets. With so many
to recognize, I am sure there will be
names missing but will do my best to
acknowledge them all.
The Renaissance scholars
Some names worth mentioning here
are the prominent archeologist Fuad
Safar, who was the General Director of
Antiquities in Baghdad from 1960 until
1978, and Georges Hanna Awad, historian
and Library Director.
Renaissance music masters include
Munir Basheer, Jameel Basheer,
Hanna Petrus, Saeed Shabo, Peatris
Ohanisian, Wadeea Khonda, Nadhum
Naiem, Jameel Jerjees and others.
Some culture, language, and history
scholars of the Renaissance are
Anstas Mary Al-Karmali, Fr. Louis Marmarchi,
Fr. Sulaiman Al-Saiegh, Jirjees
Fathallah, Mikhael Awad, Yousif Hormis
Jammo, Yousif Mary, Yousif Habbi,
and Putrus Haddad.
Teachers and educators
Christian teachers were famous for
their deep knowledge, diligent performance,
credibility, and love for their
profession. Entire Iraqi generations
were brought up by Christian educators
and educational institutions. They
instilled the love of science and knowledge
in thousands of students.
Notably, Dr. Matti Aqrawi, who was
the first president of the University of
Baghdad from the Christians of Mosul,
is credited with pioneering compulsory
education in Iraq.
Dr. Hanna Behnam Khayyat was
appointed the first minister of health
in the modern Iraqi state in 1922. He
was also the first Iraqi dean of the Iraqi
Royal Medical College (1934).
Dr. Nouri Yousif Mary — my father
— was born in Baghdad in 1928 and I
am proud to say he was the first Iraqi
dean of the College of Pharmacy at
Baghdad University in 1959.
Journalists and writers
Journalism in a free state is very different
from journalism in an occupied
one. These Christian journalists braved
the condemnation of the ruling party.
Maryam Nerma is a well-known
journalist who was born in Baghdad
in 1890. Born Maryam Raphael Youssef
Romaya, she was unusual in that she
was sent to elementary school; at that
time, education for girls was not a priority.
In an interview, she shared that her
mother told her at age 5 never to marry
but to learn as much as she could.
After her first article was published
in the Dar Al-Salam newspaper in
1921, Mariam learned that her article
was the first written by a woman, thus
making her the first female journalist
in the history of Iraq. In 1937, she published
a newspaper called The Arab
Girl. She died in 1972.
It is worth noting that The Arab
Girl Newspaper was not the first Iraqi
newspaper focused on women’s rights;
Layla Newspaper, founded by Paulina
Hassoun in 1923, was the first. However,
Layla was mocked for its poor writing
standards, short-sightedness, and
poor editing. The Arab Girl was the
first Iraqi newspaper with high journalistic
standards that was completely
managed by women, from writing to
distribution.
Mikhael Tessie was the author of
the first comic journal and Nadhum
Putros, a lawyer, was the first broadcaster
in Iraq in the royal era.
Rose Francis was a brilliant writer
who conducted research in home economics,
history, and sociology. The
Ministry of Education in Iraq sent her
to the American University in Beirut to
complete her studies. She studied for
one year, then traveled to England to
specialize in educational and psychological
sciences.
Doctors/Medicine
Dr. Malak Razouk Ghanam, born in
Baghdad in 1907, is known as the
first female doctor in Iraq. She is the
daughter of journalist Razouk Daoud
Ghannam, who encouraged his daughter
to buck convention. Malak became
the first Iraqi female to join the Medical
College since its establishment in
IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued on page 40
38 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

املسيحيون العراقيون – إسهامات وذكريات جيل الرواد
بقلم د عضيد مريي
IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued on page 42
العراق بلد التنوع الديني واملذهبي،‏ فيه عاشت أقدم
الديانات،‏ وعىل أرضه وجدت مختلف الجامعات الدينية
واإلثنية واملكونات التي تشكلت وعاشت فيه منذ القدم
وعاشت فيه،‏ وبعضها أصيل تعود جذوره لحضارات وادي
الرافدين،‏ لكنها سوية شكلت الدولة العراقية الحديثة.‏
املقالة هذه هي مخترص ملقالتني تتعلق بهذا
املوضوع أولهام نُرشت يف عدد شهر ايار 2023 والثانية
يف صفحات هذا العدد من مجلة كالديان نيوز باللغة
اإلنكليزية،‏ تناولنا فيهام معامل ومساهامت أجيال من
املسيحيني الذين سجلوا وتركوا بصامت خالدة يف دواوين
التنوير والتمييز يف املجاالت املدنية والثقافية والحضارية
وأصبحوا مدعاة فخر لوطنهم ومجتمعهم ومحل اعتزاز
العراق وأبناءه ومكوناته.‏
لقد سبقنا وكتب مجموعة من الكتاب واألكادمييني
واملؤرخني املرموقني مثل د.‏ سيار الجميل وسعد سلوم
ورسور مريزا محمود و د.‏ فيصل غازي مجهول وكريم عبد
الحسني العزاوي وغريهم من املهتمني بشؤون املكونات عن
هذا املوضوع بإسهاب وإنصاف واقتبسنا منهم معلومات
قيمة يف اعداد هذه املقالة عن املسيحيني العراقيني
وأدوارهم اإليجابية مع إخوتهم املسلمني واملندائيني يف
وطنهم العراق الذي تنوّعت فيه األديان والسكان وتعددت
ألوان املكونات وتجانس فيه الناس وتناغمت عاداتهم
وتقاليدهم،‏ وانسجمت حياتهم ورشاكة عيشهم وانصهر
بينهم وجودهم التاريخي الطويل.‏
لقد دافع الكتاب التنويريني عن حقوق العراقيني
مبختلف تراكيبهم واطيافهم واعراقهم واديانهم ونرشوا
موضوعات ودراسات وآراء يف محاولة لدعم الحريات
وشاركهم عدد كبري من أبرز كتّاب الرأي يف تسليط الضوء
عىل انتهاك الحريات يف العراق وقدموا األراء عن اهمية
املساواة والعدالة االجتامعية وإعالء مفاهيم الرشاكة
والتعايش السلمي بني املواطنني من اجل استعادة ازدهار
العراق وناسه الطيبني.‏
وهؤالء الكتاب املسلمني املُنصفني هبوا وكتبوا
دفاعاً‏ عن اخوتهم يف الكتاب والوطن ليس ألن املسيحيني
العراقيني هم اقلية يف مجتمع مسلم،‏ بل ألن هذه
األقلية ‏)املكون األصيل(‏ كان لها ادوارها الحضارية فضال
عن االدوار النهضوية والوطنية عىل امتداد عقود كثرية
ناهيكم عن ثقلهم ووجودهم ومؤسساتهم وأديرتهم
وكنائسهم ومطرانياتهم خصوصا يف املوصل وسهل نينوى
منذ قرابة الفي سنة ويشهد بذلك الكنائس،‏ واألديرة،‏
واملدارس الشاخصة،‏ واملندثرة واملبعرثة يف ارض الرافدين.‏
وثبت األكادمييون وباألرقام كم نالت األقليات من
التهميش والتعتيم واالقصاء وتبعات هذا الفشل الحضاري
والتغيري الدميوغرايف ومأساة تحول املجتمعات الحيوية
املتأخية اىل عقول مُقيدّة وأيديولوجيات متخلفة جعلت
املسيحي يف وطنه مواطناً‏ من الدرجة العارشة ومطلقة بذلك
هجرة محلية مفزعة من كافة املدن اىل سهل نينوى وشامل
العراق وهجرة بعيدة اىل بالد الغرب واملنايف التي أصبحت
أوطانا بديلة بعيدة وهجرة بال عودة للغالبية منهم.‏
ويف ضمن هذا املجال ال بد ان نقف عىل جملة
من الحقائق املهمة والبصامت التأريخية التي تكاد تكون
مخفية ال فقط عن القراء األجانب،‏ بل حتى عن العراقيني
أنفسهم بأن املسيحيني هم عراقيني أصالء ومل يأتوا من
خارج الفضاء،‏ ولو تتبعنا خطى األثار وعطر التأريخ
سنجد انهم أبناء أرض العراق املباركة ويقيمون فيه جنوبا
ووسطا وشامال منذ الفي عام وكنائسهم منترشة بني نهريه
وأديرتهم كانت ومازالت مزروعة قرب األنهار يف مناطق
بغداد والكوفة واملوصل وكان مركز رئاستهم التأريخية
سابقا يف املدائن ‏)سلامن باك حالياً(‏ وعند تأسيس بغداد
عام 762 ميالدية نقل اليها وال يزال هناك.‏
إن هذه املقالة هي بذرة صغرية يف ارض وبستان
علامء العراق جمعنا فيها منوذج من فسائل ونخيل بالد
الرافدين تثميناً‏ ملا قدموه من خدمات اىل وطنهم وكيف
ساهموا بفعالية يف نهضة البالد خالل القرن املايض ونحن
ال منلك إحصائية كاملة بجميع األسامء،‏ لكن أرقامهم
تشكل وزنا واضحا ونعتذر لعدم ذِكر املئات األخرين
من أصحاب الكفاءات الذين يفتخر بهم العراق وبينهم
وزراء وقضاة وشعراء وأدباء وأطباء وصيادلة ومحامني
وعسكريني ومدرسني ومؤرخني وآثاريني وموسيقيني
وصحفيني وإعالميني وسياسيني ومهندسني وجيولوجيني
وصناعيني وغريهم من الذين كان لهم تأثري بالغ األهمية
يف مجاالت التعليم والطب واألدب والفن والرياضة وكافة
أركان الحياة العراقية الحديثة.‏ وسننقل ادناهً‏ بعضاً‏ من
مثني ما صنعته ايادي وعقول هؤالء الرواد وما قدموه
لوطنهم العراق ولالستزادة يف االطالع ومعرفة األسامء
يرجى مطالعة مقاالت الكتاب املتميزين الواردة اسامهم
ضمن هذه املقالة.‏
علامء النهضة
هناك املئات من مشاهري العراقيني ومن كافة املكونات
والقوميات وامللل تشكلت عىل أيديهم هندسة وبناء
األجيال الجديدة،‏ واتسموا جميعا باملقدرة والرغبة
يف الرتبية والتعليم سواء داخل العراق أو خارجه مثل
علامء الثقافة واللغة والدين والتاريخ وتفوق العديد
من املسيحيني العراقيني يف تخصصات مهمة نذكر منهم:‏
أنستاس ماري الكرميل،‏ األب لويس مرمرجي،‏ األب
سليامن الصايغ ، األب يوسف حبي،‏ يوسف هرمز جمو،‏
الشامس يوسف منصور مريي،‏ ، املحامي جرجيس فتح
الله،‏ املؤرخون جرجيس وشقيقه ميخائيل عوض ، بطرس
حداد والشاعر املحامي الفريد سمعان وجرجيس حنا
عواد وفرج بصمجي:‏ أستاذ وآثاري ويوسف يعقوب
مسكوين:‏ مؤرخ وباحث كلداين وأساتذة املوسيقى:‏ منري
بشري،‏ جميل بشري،‏ حنا بطرس،‏ سعيد شابو،‏ ناظم نعيم،‏
جميل جرجيس وآخرون غريهم،‏ منهم عامل اآلثار البارز
فؤاد سفر مدير عام آثار بغداد )1960 – 1978( مؤرخ
ومدير املكتبة،‏ واخرتنا تسليط األضواء عىل أربعة من
العلامء النهضويني،‏ ونقف قليال عند سريتهم ليعرفهم
أبناءنا وأحفادنا ويفتخروا مبا قدموه وأنجزوه.‏
األب أنستاس ماري الكرميل – رائد الصحافة
العراقية وحارس لغة الضاد )1866-1947(
بطرس جربائيل يوسف عواد واملعروف باألب أنستاس
ماري الكرميل رجل دين مسيحي،‏ ولغوي عريب،‏ عراقي
من أب لبناين وأم عراقية بغدادية فأبوه جربائيل يوسف
عواد من إحدى قرى لبنان،‏ قدم اىل بغداد سنة ‎1850‎م
وأقام بها،‏ ويف بغداد تعرّف عىل مريم مرغريتا او ‏)لؤلؤه(‏
من بيت اوغسطني جربان البغدادي،‏ وامها ‏)مرتا(‏ ابنة
رحامين الكلداين البغدادي،‏ فتزوجها وله منها خمسة بنني
واربع بنات،‏ وبطرس كان األبن الرابع من ابناء جربائيل
وعرف بعد ذلك باسم أنستاس ماري الكرميل،‏ حيث ولد
ونشأ يف بغداد عام ‎1866‎م وتلقى تعليمه االبتدايئ فيها
مبدرسة اآلباء الكرمليني.‏
متيزت بغداد أيام الكرميل يف اربعينيات القرن
املايض مبجالسها االدبية،‏ ولكن مجلس يوم الجمعة لالب
انستاس كان يف طليعة هذه املجالس.‏ إذ كان يعقد
للمناقشة والحوار يف دير اآلباء الكرمليني يف محلة سوق
الغزل ببغداد،‏ واختار وهو املسيحي يوم الجمعة احرتاما
ملقام ضيوفه ومجتمعه إذ كان وفياً‏ لوطنه وأميناً‏ لعالقاته
االجتامعية،‏ وكان يرتدد عليه أساطني اللغة العربية
وعلامئها وأعيان البلد عىل اختالف مللهم ونحلهم،‏ ومن
رواد املجلس الشيخ جالل الحنفي والعالمة مصطفى
جواد ويوسف رزق الله غنيمة وصفوة يف مجاالت االدب،‏
واللغة،‏ واالجتامع،‏ والفلسفة.‏ املجلس يبتدئ من الساعة
الثامنة صباحا اىل الساعة الثانية عرش ظهرا تدور فيه كل
البحوث ‏)اال السياسة والدين(‏ وكان ملجلس الراهب صفه
لها جامل ورونق اذ تجد فيه املسلم واملسيحي واليهودي
تجمعهم اخوة العلم واألدب والوطن.‏
وضع الكرميل كتبًا مهمة وأبحاثًا مفيدة عن اللغة
العربية وكان يدعو للتصحيح اللغوي والحفاظ عىل اللغة
العربية وألف معجامً‏ سامهُ‏ املساعد وكان يرى يف الخروج
عىل اللغة العربية خطئًا ال ميكن قبوله أو التساهل فيه.‏
وساهم يف عملية التعريب،‏ وأصدر مجلتني وجريدة.‏ ومتيزت
مجلة لغة العرب التي أصدرها يف عام ‎1911‎م بأبحاثها األدبية
والتأريخية،‏ وخدمت اللغة العربية وتُرجمت مقاالتها اىل عدد
من اللغات األوربية وكتب فيها أبرز املؤلفني والكتاب من
مفكري ومثقفي بغداد يف تلك الفرتة.‏
شكل اطالع الكرميل عىل عدد من اللغات حيزا
واسعاً‏ من ثقافته إذ اتقن االب انستاس الكثري من
اللغات:‏ منها الالتينية واليونانية والفرنسية واإلنكليزية
واإليطالية واألملانية والكلدانية،‏ والرسيانية،‏ واملندائية
والرتكية والفارسية والعربية،‏ والحبشية.‏ وتوج ذلك كله
بتفرده بلغته العربية فكان مستودعاً‏ للغات ومنبعاً‏
يغرف منه املفردات والرتاكيب للمقارنة بني لغات العامل
ومقابلة بعضها مع األخر وجعلت منه باحثاً‏ ومقارناً‏ كبريا
وكانت حصيلة جهوده هذه عددا كبريا من املؤلفات
املطبوعة واملخطوطة واملئات من املقاالت العلمية يف
شتى صفوف املعرفة.‏
من أبرز الكتب التي تركها الكرميل:‏ أغالط اللغويني
األقدمني،‏ والفوز باملراد يف تاريخ بغداد،‏ ومخترص تاريخ
العراق،‏ وجمهرة اللغات،‏ وأديان العرب،‏ ونشوء اللغة
ومنوها،‏ وشعراء بغداد وكتابها،‏ والعرب قبل اإلسالم،‏ كام
قام بتحقيق جزء من معجم العني للفراهيدي،‏ وكتاب
نخب الذخائر يف أحوال الجواهر البن األكفاين،‏ واإلكليل
للهمداين،‏ وفضل العرب يف علم الحيوان،‏ والنقود العربية
وعلم النميات،‏ واملساعد وكثري من املخطوطات.‏
حظي الكرميل بتقدير كثري من الهيئات واملجامع
العلمية واللغوية،‏ فانتخب عضوًا يف مجمع املرشقيات األملاين
سنة ‎1911‎م واملجمع العلمي العريب يف دمشق سنة ‎1920‎م
واختري ضمن أول عرشين عاملًا ولغويًا من العامل العريب يف
مجمع اللغة العربية بالقاهرة سنة ‎1932‎م وكرمته الحكومتان
الفرنسية والربيطانية بأوسمة االستحقاق والتمييز.‏
يرقد الكرميل رقدته االبدية يف كنيسة الالتني التي
تحتل من بغداد قلبها فهي تقع يف ‏“شورجة بغداد”‏
مقابل جامع الخلفاء او ما اصطلح عليه اسم ‏“منارة
سوق الغزل ‏“او املسجد الجامع.‏ وترك الراهب الحارس
عند وفاته عام ‎1947‎م عددًا هائال من الكتب ال يزال
معظمها مخطوطًا مل يطبع،‏ وخلّف ما يزيد عىل أكرث من
1300 مقالة متثل جزءا كبريًا من إنتاجه الفكري واألديب
وبعد وفاته ألحقت مكتبته مبكتبة اآلثار العراقية يف
بغداد.‏ ترك عند وفاته مكتبة نفيسة تضم بني جدرانها
سبعة آالف كتاب من الكتب العلمية واألدبية والثقافية
وهي مصنفة إىل اللغات العربية واإلنكليزية والفرنسية،‏
ومكتبة األب أنستاس ماري الكرميل يف كنيسة الالتني
تعترب من الكنوز األدبية والثقافية للبالد.‏
هرمز رسام )1826-1910( أول عامل أثار
ومرشقي عراقي
العراق يف القرن الثامن عرش والتاسع عرش كان والية
تابعة للدولة العثامنية ويف تلك الفرتة مل تكن هناك
قوانني لحامية اآلثار أو اللقى األثرية وكانت الدولة
العثامنية تعطي التصاريح للتنقيب يف أماكن متعددة
من األرايض التابعة لها خصوصا للسفراء والقناصل.‏ وكان
العراق قبلة لعلامء األثار األجانب ومنجم نفيس للكشف
عن اوىل حضارات االنسان التي عاشت يف وادي الرافدين.‏
وغدت االركيولوجيا العراقية ‏)علم االثار والنفائس(‏
من اهم علوم ذلك العرص التي كشفت بآثارها املادية
عن خفايا مل يكن االنسان يعلم عنها شيئا اال ما هو مثبت
يف الكتب الدينية.‏ وبرز من املختصني العراقيني يف ريادة
االركيولوجيا العراقية الدكتور هرمز رسام ابان القرن التاسع
عرش،‏ وهو من عائلة مسيحية كلدانية موصلية وكان أبوه
أنطون رسام أسقف كنيسة الرشق الكلدانية يف املوصل
وأمه كانت تريسا إسحق حلبي ‏)من حلب(.‏
كان رسام جزءًا من فريق البعثة االستكشافية
الشهرية لعامل اآلثار الربيطاين السري أوسنت هرني اليارد
)1817 1894( - وهو عامل آشوريات إنجليزي،‏ ورحالة،‏
ومسامري،‏ ومؤرخ،‏ ورسام،‏ وجامع أعامل فنية،‏ وسيايس،‏
ودبلومايس،‏ قام بالتنقيب يف موقع النمرود القديم.‏
ووصل السري ‏)هرني اوسنت اليارد(‏ املوصل عام 1840
بتفويض من سفري بريطانيا يف اإلستانة/إسطنبول للتنقيب
عن األثار األشورية يف العراق بحثا عن املنحوتات
واملخطوطات الفنية البارزة وكشف عن كنوز اشورية يف
كل من نينوى وخرسباد والنمرود/كالخو.‏
حني جاء اليارد اىل املوصل استعان بهرمز رسام إلتقانه
االنجليزية،‏ والرتكية،‏ والعربية،‏ والكلدانية.‏ وبتشجيع منهُ‏
سافر إىل بريطانيا حيث تلقى علومه يف جامعة اكسفورد
وعاد إىل نينوى للتنقيب عن اآلثار حيث يعزى إليه
بالعديد من االكتشافات الهامة،‏ منها األلواح اللبنية التي
ضمت ملحمة كًالكًامش التي تعترب أقدم عمل أديب يف
العامل،‏ وكشف عن الكثري من اآلثار يف نينوى ومنها متاثيل
الثريان املجنحة التي شحنها إىل بريطانيا عن طريق نهر
دجلة بواسطة قوارب تسمى ‏)الكلك(‏ إىل شط العرب حيث
نقلتها السفن الربيطانية من هناك.‏
خالل العامني 1849-1850 كان هرمز يعاون يف
التنقيب يف اثار تل قوينجق.‏ يف عام 1851 غادر اليارد
املوصل راغبا بعد اشتهاره بالكنوز االثارية االشورية
وخاصة مكتبة سنحاريب والثريان املجنحة،‏ ان يعمل يف
السلك الدبلومايس،‏ وحل محله هرمز رسام.‏
وكان هرمز رسام رحالة،‏ ومغامرهاجر اىل بريطانيا
واستقر بها،‏ وميكن اعتباره أول عامل أثار ومرشقي ومل تزل
صورته الزيتية معلقة يف واحدة اهم قاعات املتحف الربيطاين
اعرتافا بجهوده الكربى للتاج الربيطاين.‏ وكتبت جريدة التاميز
اللندنية نعيا له يوم وفاته 17 ترشين اول 1910،.
بهنام أبو الصوف )1931-2012(
يُعد عامل األثار واملؤرخ العراقي الدكتور بهنام نارص نعامن أبو
الصوف من أساطني الجيل الثاين لآلثاريني العراقيني املرموقني
يف املحافل املحلية والعربية والدولية وقد اقتفى خطى
اساتذته الكبار من جيل الرواد يف مجال اآلثار ويف مقدمتهم
العالّ‏ مة طه باقر واالستاذ فؤاد سفر وآخرين سعوا حثيثاً‏ من
اجل بناء خربات عراقية للنهوض بقطاع اآلثار الناشئ والذي
لبث عىل مدىً‏ طويل موكوالً‏ ملنقبني وإداريني أجانب.‏
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 39

IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued from page 39
1927; she graduated in 1939.
However, Dr. Suleiman Ghazala,
born in 1853, is known as the first Iraqi
doctor to practice in the modern sense.
He came from Mosul and studied in
Paris.
Dr. Anna Sttian, born in Baghdad in
1914, is one of the first Iraqi female doctors
appointed by the Ministry of Health.
An Armenian Christian, she was the
daughter of the lawyer Kirub Sttian.
Dr. Siranush Al-Rayhani completed
her primary education in Mosul
and entered the Faculty of Medicine
at the University of Baghdad in 1945,
graduating in 1950. She is considered
the first Iraqi female doctor to graduate
from the Faculty of Medicine in
Baghdad because Anna Sttian, an
Armenian who graduated before her,
was from from Beirut. Al-Rayhani was
a gynecologist who is still remembered
by many Iraqis for her work promoting
women’s health and education.
Dr. Suad Yousif Mary was born in
1933 and graduated from Baghdad
University College of Medicine in 1959.
She served in Erbil, Kirkuk, and Baghdad.
More Firsts
Josephine Sema’an Ibrahim Haddad
is known as the first Iraqi woman to
obtain a pilot’s license in 1949 and
is generally considered the first Iraqi
woman to fly a plane in Iraq. Another
Josephine, Josephine Ghazaleh, is reportedly
the first Iraqi female engineer
from Mosul.
Beatrice Ohanessian was an Iraqi
Armenian pianist, noted as Iraq’s first
concert pianist and first female composer.
Dr. Abdullah Kassir, the first
Iraqi doctor to obtain a specialty from
London, was a Christian from Mosul.
Jerjees Aziza was the owner of the first
printing and publishing company in
Baghdad in 1938.
Faraj Basmachi was a professor,
archeologist, and director of the Iraqi
Museum. Yousif Yacqoub Miskoni was
a Chaldean historian and researcher.
Abd al-Masih Wazir excelled in literature
and translation and was distinguished
as a pioneer in the development
of the Arab military dictionary,
which remains to this day. The king of
Iraq’s photographers were Aboush &
Aboush.
The Minister of Finance, Youssef
Rizq-Allah Ghanima, his wife, the activist
Victoria Andrea, and their son
Harith Ghanima, lawyer, writer, and
trade activist, were three blazing suns
that illuminated the paths of knowledge
and culture and were known for
their integrity and dedication to Iraq.
Rani Bashir Sarsam is recorded as
the first Iraqi female to obtain a master’s
degree in mathematics from the
University of Michigan in the United
States. She worked as a teacher at
Queen Alia College in Baghdad.
Notable
Dr. Margaret Bashir Sarsam was a leading
gynecologist in Iraq, born in 1926.
In Kirkuk, she established a hall for
gynecology and a hall for childbirth,
when her father, Dr. Bashir Sarsam,
was the head of the health department
there.
Among the well-known doctors
is Dr. Krikor Astarjian, who has published
books in Arabic on Armenian
history and culture. Dr. Hagop Ghobanian
was a dermatologist and cofounder
of the Red Crescent. He also
helped found the College of Medicine
in Iraq and was awarded the Iraqi Royal
Medal (Mesopotamia Order of the
Second Class) in 1954 in recognition
of his services in the field of medicine.
Other notables include Dr. Karnik Hovhannisyan,
Dr. Gara-Beit, and Dr. Moses
from Mosul.
Dicko Andreos Al-Asfandiar was a
famous and distinguished dentist in
Baghdad. His private clinic was in the
police tunnel area.
Iraqi Armenians
Armenian Christians played an important
role in Iraqi society, and they
were distinguished by their vitality,
industrious skills, and efforts, through
which they rendered great services to
society over a long period of history.
The ancient relations of Armenia
and Iraq extends to the fifth century
BC. Iraq, with its rivers, the Tigris and
Euphrates, was distinguished by its
moderate climate and important geography.
The entry of Christianity into
Iraq in the first and second centuries
AD came to characterize its religious
diversity, rarely found in other countries.
The Armenians used to transport
goods across the Euphrates River by
boat to Babylon, where they were sold.
Many of these merchants and other
Armenians settled in Babylon forming
a large Armenian community. Thereafter,
waves of Armenians came to Iraq
through Iran. They settled in southern
Iraq at first, and an Armenian Diocese
was established in Basra in 1222 AD.
The largest waves of Armenian
immigration to Iraq were in the early
twentieth century, after massacres
committed against them in Armenia
and Turkey forced them out.
The Late Renaissance
The Islamic and Christian cultures coexisted
in Iraq for centuries.
The city of Mosul, Iraq is the home
of Eastern Christianity and the center
of Eastern theology. The historic
presence of bishoprics and churches
of several denominations of Eastern
Christians, whether they are Jacobite,
Syriac Orthodox, Chaldean, or Assyrian,
is evidence of its importance.
Many Iraqi metropolitans known
worldwide who were highly educated
in ecclesiastical and theological sciences
came from Mosul, among them
Bishops: Andrawis Hanna, Timothous
Avram Abboudi, Julius Girges Qandala,
Nasser Estephan Doiy, Thomas Rayis,
Suleiman Al-Sayegh and Raphael Bidawid;
plus Patriarch Zakka Iwaz, Patriarch
Ignatius Aphrem I, and Cardinal
Ignatius Gabriel, who was considered a
main reference for Eastern Christians.
When the national government
was established in 1921 in Iraq under
King Faisal I, monarchy was established.
Iraqi Christians were enjoying
their rights and their participation in
the state, so there were several representatives,
ministers, directors, army
officers, lawyers, and even judges.
Historical Lessons
Iraqi Christians have a rich history of
traditions, contributions, and services
in contemporary Iraq. They remain the
true sons of Iraq, among the original
inhabitants of Mesopotamia — whether
they are Orthodox, Catholic, Chaldean,
Syriac, Assyrian, Jacobite, or
Armenian.
This long history of Arab Christianity,
before and after Islam, leaves no
room for doubt about the Christian’s
authenticity, capacity, and special
place in the Arab identity system that
makes up the nation.
The Muslims in Iraq should be
proud of Iraqi’s Christians. The archdioceses,
churches, monasteries, and
hermitages of Iraqi Christianity are
among the wealth of the ancient treasures
that must be preserved. Iraqi society
and laws must ensure and protect
the peaceful characteristics, customs
and traditions of all communities and
not face the tidal waves of violence
that threaten the future of Iraq.
Author Faris Kamal Nadhmi stated
that, “The Christian minority played
the role of the civilized majority in Iraq
and the Christians have always been
the most civilized majority with their
actual practices of values, reason,
tolerance, and freedom, in contrast to
other societal groups that remained
fond to one degree or another of unseen
values, monopolizing the truth
and guardianship over people’s wills
and freedoms.”
Despite all these virtues, Christians
of Iraq spent the past twenty years systematically
paying the bloody, violent
price of the US invasion in 2003 that
resulted in the cross-radicalization of
two irrationals: colonial capitalism,
and Islamic fundamentalism.
The Christians of Iraq—whether
they like it or not—are positioned at
the heart of this raging conflict alongside
their peers of rationalists and the
enlightened. What is happening today
in Baghdad and the rest of Iraq is a
struggle between the values of progress
and civilization and the values
of fanaticism and pre-civilization. It
is a struggle between two cultures,
between two social philosophical perspectives,
and therefore a cultural and
value conflict between two ways of life.
Uncertain Future
The Christians in Iraq have suffered
massively from ongoing Western invasions
of the region. Ironically, many of
these US/UK inspired invasions were
strongly supported by Christian Zionists
and evangelicals who have done
more to displace Christianity, including
the native Iraqi Christian community,
from its historic birthplace than
anyone else.
Clearly what is happening is wrong
and the only reason it is being tacitly
allowed is people feel it is far away
and ‘over there.’ However, hate travels
faster than ever in these connected
times so nothing stays in one region
and ‘over there’ will be ‘everywhere’ at
any point.
Until the world wakes up from its
politically correct coma, looks to the
root cause of ISIS/ISIL, and comes to
grip with the facts, violence will continue
and likely lead to the end of
Christianity in Iraq.
His Beatitude Cardinal Louis
Raphaël Sako summed it up well when
he addressed Iraqi officials in November
2022 about the transgressions
against Iraqi Christians and deliberate
exclusion since 2003.
“The list is long,” said Cardinal
Sako. “These immoral behaviors will
remain in the memory unless they
are addressed. In the Nineveh Plain,
IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued on page 49
40 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

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نُخبة من الرواد األوائل الذين خدموا العراق
1. الدكتور متي عقراوي:‏ أول رئيس لجامعة بغداد من مسيحيي املوصل،‏ ورائد
وعراب التعليم اإللزامي يف العراق.‏
2. الدكتور حنا بهنام خياط:‏ أول وزير للصحة يف الدولة العراقية الحديثة عام
1922. وأيضا أول عميد عراقي لكلية الطب امللكية العراقية )1934(
3. الدكتور نوري يوسف مريي:‏ أول عميد عراقي لكلية الصيدلة يف جامعة
بغداد 1959 سافر اىل امريكا عام 1961 وأصبح عميدا لكلية الصيدلة يف جامعة
لونك ايالند – نيويورك.‏ من مواليد بغداد 1928 خريج جامعة بغداد وحاصل
عىل شهادة الدكتوراه يف علم العقاقري من جامعة اوهايو ستيت 1954
4. بولينا حسون:‏ أول امرأة عراقية تصدر صحيفة نسوية ‏)ليىل(‏ يف بغداد.‏‎4‎
5. ميخائيل تييس:‏ مؤلف أول مجلة كوميدية.‏‎5‎
6. املحامي ناظم بطرس:‏ أول مذيع يف العهد املليك.‏‎6‎
7. جوزفني سمعان ابراهيم حداد:‏ أول امرأة عراقية تحصل عىل إجازة طيار
كابنت عام 1949. تعترب أول امرأة عراقية تقود طائرة يف العراق.‏
8. الدكتورة ملك رزوق غنام:‏ مواليد بغداد 1907 أول طبيبة يف العراق.‏
أصبحت أول فتاة عراقية تلتحق بكلية الطب منذ تأسيسها عام 1927،
وتخرجت من كلية الطب عام 1939
9. الدكتور نعيم رصافة:‏ ولد عام 1906 وخريج جامعة وأين ستيت يف الواليات
املتحدة عام 1961 وعمل كوكيل لوزير املعارف ومدير التعليم الثانوي يف الستينات
من القرن املايض وله مؤلفات وكتب تعليمية ملدريس الثانويات يف العراق.‏
10. الدكتور سليامن غزالة ولد عام 1853 أول طبيب عراقي ‏)باملعنى الحديث(‏
من مسيحيي املوصل وتخرج من باريس
11. الدكتورة آنا ستيان:‏ من أوائل الطبيبات العراقيات املعينات من قبل وزارة
الصحة،‏ وهي أرمنية،‏ وكانت أول فتاة عراقية تدخل كلية الطب يف بغداد
وتخرجت عام 1939. الدكتورة ‏)آنا ستيان(‏ هي ابنة املحامي ‏)كريوب ستيان(.‏
ولدت يف بغداد عام 1914 وتخرجت من كلية الطب الجامعة األمريكية
يف بريوت عام 1937 وعادت إىل وطنها.‏ تم تعيينها كأول طبيبة عراقية يف
املستشفى املليك عام 1939
12. الدكتورة سريانوش الريحاين:‏ من مواليد املوصل عام 1921 ومتزوجة
من املهندس زيك الريحاين.‏ أكملت تعليمها االبتدايئ يف املوصل ودخلت كلية
الطب يف جامعة بغداد عام 1945 وتخرجت عام 1950. أول طبيبة عراقية
تتخرج من كلية الطب يف بغداد رغم أن آنا ستيان أرمنية تخرجت قبلها من
بريوت.‏
13. جوزفني غزالة:‏ أول مهندسة عراقية من املوصل.‏‎13‎
14. بياتريس أوهانيسيان )1927 – 2008( عازفة بيانو أرمنية عراقية،‏ اشتهرت
بكونها أول عازفة بيانو يف العراق وأول ملحنة موسيقية.‏
15. الدكتور عبد الله قصري:‏ وأول طبيب عراقي حصل عىل التخصص من لندن
كان من املوصل.‏
16. جرجيس عزيزة:‏ صاحب الرشكة األوىل للطباعة والنرش بغداد 1938
17. عبد املسيح وزير:‏ برع يف األدب والرتجمة ومتيز بأنه رائد يف تطوير
املعجم العسكري العريب الذي ال يزال قامئا حتى يومنا هذا.‏
18. يوسف رزق الله غنيمة:‏ وزير املالية يف 7 حكومات خالل سنوات امللكية
19. روز فرانسيس:‏ كاتبة بارعة،‏ لها أبحاث متنوعة يف االقتصاد املنزيل
والتاريخ وعلم االجتامع.‏ أرسلتها وزارة الرتبية إىل الجامعة األمريكية يف
بريوت إلكامل دراستها حيث درست ملدة سنة ثم سافرت إىل إنجلرتا
لتتخصص يف العلوم الرتبوية والنفسية.‏
20. مريم نرمة رومايا:‏ صحفية معروفة )1890-1972(: هي مريم روفائيل
يوسف رومايا أول صحفية عراقية تدخل مجال الصحافة عام 1921. ويف
عام 1937 أصدرت صحيفة ‏)فتاة العرب(.‏
21. رنا بشري رسسم ‏)مواليد 1923(: هي أول فتاة عراقية تحصل عىل
درجة املاجستري يف الرياضيات من جامعة ميشيغان يف الواليات املتحدة
األمريكية.‏ عملت مدرّسة يف كلية امللكة علياء يف بغداد.‏
22. الدكتورة مارغريت بشري رسسم:‏ رائدة يف أمراض النساء يف العراق من
مواليد 1926. يف كركوك أنشأت قاعة لألمراض النسائية،‏ وصالة للوالدة،‏
عندما كان والدها الدكتور بشري رسسم رئيساً‏ لدائرة الصحة هناك.‏
23. الدكتورة سعاد يوسف مريي:‏ مواليد 1933 خريجة كلية الطب جامعة
بغداد عام 1959 ومن أوائل الطبيبات التي خدمت يف املحافظات أربيل
وكركوك وبغداد.‏
24. أوهانيس مراديان:‏ طبيب أرمني يف مجال الطب.‏ وأول من أدخل
التطعيم ضد الجدري إىل بغداد.‏
25. الدكتور هاكًوب غوبانيان:‏ طبيب أمراض جلدية،‏ ومؤسس مشارك
ملنظمة الهالل األحمر،‏ أحد مؤسيس كلية الطب يف العراق وحاصل عىل
الوسام املليك العراقي ‏)وسام وادي الرافدين من الدرجة الثانية عام 1954(
تقديراً‏ لجهوده خدمات يف مجال الطب.‏
الدكتور بهنام أبو الصوف ولد يف املوصل عام 1931
ونشأ يف كنف أرسة أبو الصوف املوصلية املعروفة،‏ التي
تسكن محلة باب النبي وهي من إحياء املوصل القدمية
وتقع بالقرب من مناطق تاريخية وأثرية.‏ وكانت نشأته
يف بيئة غنية بآثار املايض،‏ وقصص األبطال،‏ كان لها األثر
الكبري يف توجهه إىل عامل اآلثار،‏ وكان يف مرحلتي الطفولة
واملراهقة مهتام بقراءة االساطري وكتب التاريخ،‏ كام
كان ميارس رياضة كامل األجسام،‏ والسباحة،‏ وكان يحلم
بوظيفة مليئة باملخاطر واألرسار والبطوالت،‏ ويتطلّع اىل
ان يصبح طياراً‏ أو بحاراً،‏ وهذا ما رفضته ارسته بشدة.‏
بعد إنهاء دراسته اإلعدادية يف املوصل عام 1951
التحق بقسم االثار والحضارة يف جامعة بغداد وتخرج
منها عام 1955. وبعد خمسة اعوام أي يف عام 1960
سافر اىل بريطانيا مبنحة دراسية يف جامعة كمربيدج التي
حصل منها عىل درجة الدكتوراه بامتياز يف موضوع جذور
الحضارة وعلم األجناس البرشية عام 1966.
يف اواسط ستينيات القرن املايض عاد إىل العراق ليعمل
يف التنقيب عن اآلثار يف عدد من املواقع وسط العراق
وشامله،‏ كام دَرّس لسنوات مادة ‏“جذور الحضارة واآلثار
والتاريخ”‏ يف جامعتي بغداد واملوصل وغريهام من الجامعات
العراقية،‏ ويف معهد التاريخ العريب للدراسات العليا التابع
التحاد املؤرخني العرب ومقره بغداد،‏ كام أرشف عىل عدد
من الرسائل الجامعية لطلبة عراقيني وعرب.‏
ويف السبعينيات،‏ تم تعيينه مديراً‏ عاماً‏ آلثار الشامل،‏
وهو املنصب الذي منحه املسؤولية الكاملة عن شامل
العراق بأكمله،‏ مبا يف ذلك آشور القدمية.‏ عمل أبو الصوف
يف أعامل التنقيب اإلنقاذية يف حوض واسع يف سد حمرين
‏)محافظة دياىل(‏ وسد املوصل عىل نهر دجلة يف أواخر
السبعينيات وحتى منتصف الثامنينيات وكشف عن عدة
مواقع أثرية منها تل الصوان يف سامراء ‏)محافظة صالح
الدين(،‏ والذي يعود إىل العرص الحجري.‏ كام قاد عمله
يف موقع قينج آغا بالقرب من قلعة أربيل للكشف عن
مجموعة واسعة من األدلة األثرية من فرتة أوروك.‏
تبوأ الدكتور ابو الصوف عددا من املناصب العلمية
واإلدارية يف هيئة اآلثار والرتاث،‏ وشارك يف العديد
من مؤمترات اآلثار،‏ ويف حلقات دراسية داخل العراق
وخارجه،‏ كام دعي إللقاء محارضات يف جامعات أمريكية
وأوربية يف موضوع آثار العراق وحضارته وعن نتائج
تنقيباته،‏ ونرش بحوثا ودراسات،‏ وتقارير علمية عن
نتائج أعامله امليدانية ودراساته املقارنة يف مجالت علمية
عراقية وأجنبية،‏ وله مؤلفات عديدة منها فخار عرص
أوروك:‏ النشأة واالنتشار ‏)لغة إنجليزية(،‏ وظل الوادي
القديم ‏)لغة عربية(،‏ والعراق:‏ وحدة األرض والحضارة
واإلنسان ‏)لغة عربية(.‏
متي عقراوي – )-1901 1981( أكادميي
عراقي وأول رئيس لجامعة بغداد
ولد متي يوسف حنا عقراوي يف املوصل سنة 1901،
وفيها أكمل دراسته االبتدائية واملتوسطة ومنذ صباه
تعلم الفرنسية يف إحدى املدارس الدينية الكنسية.‏ سافر
إىل بريوت ودخل إعدادية الجامعة األمريكية سنة 1920
وتخرج وعهد إليه بإلقاء الخطاب الوداعي يف حفل
التخرج.‏ تخرج يف كلية اآلداب والعلوم من الجامعة ذاتها
حاصال عىل بكالوريوس يف الرتبية سنة 1925. التحق بكلية
املعلمني يف الواليات املتحدة األمريكية بني سنتي -1925
1926 ودرس الرتبية،‏ ويف سنة 1934 حصل عىل الدكتوراه
من جامعة كولومبيا يف الواليات املتحدة األمريكية.‏
من الرتبويني العراقيني الرواد الذين كان لهم دور فاعل
يف تأسيس الكيان الرتبوي والجامعي يف العراق.‏ كام كان له
دور يف الحركة العربية يف بدايات النهضة الفكرية الحديثة
يف العراق مطلع القرن العرشين.‏ عمل أستاذا للرتبية ومديرا
للرتبية،‏ وعميدا لدار املعلمني العالية.‏ وأسهم إسهاما كبريا
يف تأسيس جامعة بغداد،‏ وعني أول رئيس لها للمدة من 5
ترشين األول سنة 1957 ولغاية 1 من آب سنة 1958
انغمس الدكتور متي عقراوي يف نشاطات ثقافية
وتربوية عامة،‏ وأصبح سكرترياً‏ ‏)لجمعية الثقافة العربية(‏
سنة 1931، كام كان عضواً‏ يف نادي القلم العراقي الذي
تأسس سنة 1934، ويف سنة 1946 اختري عضوا عامال يف
املجمع العلمي العراقي وقد كان من الذين عملوا من
اجل تأسيس مطبعة خاصة باملجمع منذ وقت مبكر من
تأسيسه يف نهاية الحرب العاملية األوىل،‏ وكان إىل جانبه
يف اللجنة التي تشكلت للنظر يف تأسيس املطبعة األستاذ
محمد بهجت األثري واألستاذ الدكتور جواد عيل.‏
يف سنة 1955 استدعي األستاذ الدكتور متي عقراوي
مع األستاذ الدكتور إسامعيل القباين لدراسة واقع التعليم
يف الكويت ووضع املقرتحات لتطويره وأنجزا تقريرًا مهًام
نرش بعنوان:‏ “ تقرير عن التعليم يف الكويت “ صدر يف
1955 ويعد من التقارير املتميزة التي ارتكز عليها البنيان
التعليمي يف دولة الكويت فيام بعد.‏ كام أنه يعد من
املصادر املهمة يف كتابة تاريخ التعليم الوطني يف الكويت.‏
عمل يف منظمة اليونسكو مدة تسع سنوات إىل
سنة 1957 حني أصبح رئيسً‏ ا لجامعة بغداد 1957-1958
وبعد إعفائه من منصب رئيس جامعة بغداد بعد وقوع
انقالب 14 متوز 1958، عاد للعمل يف منظمة اليونسكو
فأصبح ممثلها يف األمم املتحدة 1959-1961. عمل يف
الجامعة األمريكية ببريوت خالل السنوات )1963-1971(
وبعدها أحيل عىل التقاعد ليتفرغ للعمل البحثي.‏
نال خالل حياته العديد من األوسمة والتكرميات،‏
منها حصوله عىل وسام الرافدين سنة 1953 ووسام
الخدمة املمتازة من كلية املعلمني يف الواليات املتحدة
األمريكية سنة 1960، ووسام االستحقاق”‏ درجة فارس”‏
من الحكومة اللبنانية 1970.
الرواد األوائل يف القرن العرشين:‏
العراق ليس العراق إذا استثنينا من ذاكرته الجامعية
كبار الشخصيات التنويرية املسيحية مثل املؤرخني
واألكادمييني والعلامء واألطباء والصيادلة واملحامني
والكتاب والصحفيني وعلامء اآلثار والشعراء والفنانني
والرياضيني وغريهم،‏ وال ميكننا أن ننىس عدداً‏ مميزاً‏ من
املثقفني املسيحيني العراقيني قدموا مساهمة حقيقية
يف تقدم وتطور األمة العراقية بعد نشأتها األوىل يف
أوائل القرن العرشين وآخرون قدموا للعراق والعراقيني
خدمات ال تنىس يف القرن املايض سيام يف مجال
العلم والتعليم إذ كان املعلمني املسيحيني مشهورين
مبعرفتهم العميقة للتأريخ واملجتمع وأدائهم الدؤوب
ومصداقيتهم وحبهم ملهنتهم وتربّت أجيال عراقية
بأكملها عىل أيادي مربني ومعاهد تعليمية مسيحية
غرست حب العلم واملعرفة يف أجيال من الطالب
وتكوين مجموعة نرية من العراقيني األكفاء.‏
ومن املؤكد أن هناك اآلالف غريهم من العراقيني
والعراقيات الذين كان لهم دور يف بناء العراق وتطويره
عرب العصور املختلفة مع مواطنيهم من كافة االنتامءات
القومية والدينية واملذهبية،‏ ولكن ضمن مساحة مقالتنا
املحدودة نعتذر لعدم ذكرهم جميعاً،‏ وأن نسجل أسامء
قلة من املسيحيني الذين كانوا األوائل خالل القرن
العرشين ومنذ تأسيس اململكة العراقية،‏ وجميعهم كانوا
شموس وكواكب أضاءت دروب املعرفة والثقافة وعرفوا
بالنزاهة واإلخالص للعراق.‏
ونحن إذ نقف أمام بوابة الذكريات نأمل أن
يجد القارئ يف هذه املقالة اسرتجاع للتاريخ ولو بقدر
محدود ليكون درسا للمستقبل وشهادة نزيهة عن دور
الرواد املسيحيني الذين جمعوا فيام بينهم ابداعات
العامل القديم والوسيط والحديث وتكتسب هذه
الشهادة أهميتها من كونها تقدم تأريخ تعززه األسانيد
واإلثباتات عن تأريخ وأدوار املكونات يف هندسة وبناء
اركان املجتمع العراقي بغية تطويره ليكون درساً‏
وامتداداً‏ للمدرسة النهضوية العراقية التي مثلت أحد
أبرز وجوه الجانب املرشف لعراق الحضارة والتاريخ يف
مطلع القرن املايض.‏
وكم من املحزن ان يعارص جيلنا غياب وتهجري ما
تبقى من املسيحيني العراقيني يف سنوات القهر والجمر
ونجدهم ينقرضون وهم يدافعون عن وجودهم
التاريخي وسط مجتمع متزمت غداّر وامام مصري مجهول
وما يالقونه من اعتداءات ظاملة مل يألفوا مثلها ابدا مذ
وجدوا يف بالد الرافدين منذ االف السنني.‏ ومن املؤسف
أيضاً‏ أن نرى تغري هوية العراق والرشق األوسط يف القرن
الواحد والعرشين اىل هوية أحادية فاقدة لكافة امتيازات
التنوع والتعدد التي كانت تشكل رأسامل وكنوز خزانه
الوطن ثقافة وفنّا،‏ وفكراً.‏
هذه كانت ذكريات ال تخلوا من الفخر والقهر يف ذكر
تأريخ أبناء العراق سيام وأن ماحل باملكونات بعد 2003 ال
يدعو للحزن والشجن فقط،‏ بل للرثاء والبكاء حيث عملت
أيادي السلب والنهب ما عملت يف الرتهيب والتهجري
ومن املؤسف ان نرى كيف تذبل وتيبس وتهمل فسائل
ومكونات الوطن ومن الغريب ان ال يحتضنهم وينصفهم
وطنهم ويقّدر وُيثمن ويحتضن علامء وأبناء العراق يف
بلدان الغرب وهم ملح العراق ومن طني وادي الرافدين.‏
وهكذا بعدما مييض الوقت تبقى الذكريات
مرآة للاميض وشاهد للمستقبل تحيك قصة األقليات
والنكسات التي تعرضوا لها فبقي منهم من بقي ورحل
من رحل وبغيابهم تراجع دور بقية املكونات وضعفت
قدرات العراق وبات هدفا للطامع والغريب،‏ ومن املهم
واملطلوب هو استيعاب الدرس والبدء مبراجعة وتقويم
األخطاء من اجل خلق أجواء مواطنة رصينة وبناء جسور
مجتمعية ثابتة واسرتجاع قيمة وهيبة وكرامة االنسان.‏
ويكفينا فخراً‏ أن قصص وإنجازات الرواد كانت
وستبقى شموس ساطعة يف سامء الوطن لتذكّرنا بأن
الذكريات لها أهميتها،‏ ولكن الحارض هو املنصة التي
نعيش عليها ويجب أن نستثمرها يف خلق ذكريات
جديدة تضاف إىل رسد حياتنا وتوسيع افاقنا وتأثرينا
حيثام كنا وأينام حللنا يف الواليات املتحدة أو ديار
املهجر.‏ وعلينا أن ندرك بأن الحارض هو املكان الذي
نعيش فيه وهو الذي سيصبح ذاكرة نحتفظ بها عندما
مييض الزمان وتستمر الحياة يف التقدم،‏ وواجبنا أن
نسعى لخلق ذكريات ملهمة تعيش معنا ومع األجيال
القادمة كدليل واضح عىل غنى تراثنا وتاريخنا وتبقى
من بعدنا يف ضامئر وقلوب اآلخرين ومتكن العراقيني
من استعادة سيادة وكرامة وطنهم وأن يكملوا سفرة
الحياة ما بقي بينهم دجلة والفرات.‏
IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued from page 39
42 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Educational programs
Registration now open!
Please call for an appointment.
ALL NATIONALITIES
WELCOME!
CITIZENSHIP
PREPARATION
LITTLE
SCHOLARS
PRESCHOOL AND
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Offers instruction and training for successful completion
of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Naturalization interview.
January 9, 2024 – March 21, 2024
Prepares children for kindergarten through a variety
of emergent literacy, early learning and development
opportunities.
September 16, 2024 - June 13, 2025
GED
(HIGH SCHOOL
EQUIVALENCY DEGREE)
ENGLISH
AS A SECOND
LANGUAGE
Small group instruction in math, science, social
studies, and reading language arts for individuals
working towards their GED.
February 12, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Provides individuals English instruction at basic/beginner and
intermediate/advanced levels.
February 5, 2024 – June 28, 2024
WANT TO LEARN MORE? Please contact Rachel Hall
at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 43

CHALDEAN DIGEST
PHOTO BY SYRIAC PRESS
The aftermath of the strikes that killed Karam Mikhail and Peshraw Dizayee.
Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam Mikhail
killed in Iranian missile attack on Erbil
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East
suffered an escalation recently as Iran’s
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) launched ballistic missiles targeting
a residential area of Erbil, Kurdistan
Region of Iraq (KRI). The regional
security council reports that at least
four perished and six were injured in
the eight blasts that rocked the area.
One of those killed was Chaldean–
Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam
Mikhail, who was visiting the home
of Kurdish multimillionaire Peshraw
Dizayee, also killed in the attack.
In the aftermath of the attacks,
Iraq recalled its ambassador from Tehran
for consultations and summoned
Iran’s charge d’affaires in Baghdad.
The United States, condemning the
strikes, added its voice to the growing
international chorus expressing concern
over the escalating situation.
The Iraqi government condemned
what they call Iranian “aggression” in
Erbil and is considering filing a complaint
with the United Nations Security
Council. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani,
defended the missile strikes, stating that
Tehran respected the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of other countries but
was exercising its “legitimate and legal
right to deter national security threats.”
The world is watching to see what
happens next.
– Syriac Press
Newly Launched News Channel in Iraq Preserves Syriac
A newly launched television channel, Al-Syriania,
aims to preserve the Syriac language. With funding
from the Iraqi government, the new channel hopes to
strengthen community connections of language and
culture. It is a sister station of Al-Iraqiya, an Arabic
television network that was set up after the fall of the
Saddam Hussein regime.
Based in Baghdad, the new channel has about 40
staff members. It can be viewed throughout Iraq and
through satellite networks such as NilesSat and Arab-
Sat. The news bulletins for the new channel are read
in classical Syriac, but many of the other programs —
which include cinema, art, history, cultural events and
music — are presented in a dialect of the language.
“We have daily segments, like news and morning
shows, and also, documentary programs about the history
of the church and historical sites,” said Jack Anwia,
the station director. “We also play classical Syriac songs
and music, the top-100 movies, and we have correspondents
reporting from the field.”
— Sara Hassan, Theworld.org
Presenters chat with each other on the Al-Syriania broadcast set at the station’s headquarters in Baghdad,
Iraq, Aug. 27, 2023.
PHOTO BY SARA HASSAN/THE WORLD
44 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 45

YOUR
Therapy can be a big step toward being the
healthiest version of yourself and living the best
life possible — our licensed, professional therapists
are here for you to access. Through therapy, you
can change self-destructive behaviors and habits,
resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships,
and share your feelings and experiences. Individuals
often seek therapy for help with issues that may be
hard to face alone.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY: The CCF and Project Light is
committed to your privacy and confidentiality and are sensitive to
the stigma and stress that come with seeking mental health support.
Therefore, all counseling records are kept strictly confidential.
Information is not shared without client’s written consent. Exceptions
to confidentiality are rare and include persons who threaten safety of
themselves others or in circumstances of a court order.
In therapy your therapist will help you to establish
person centered goals and determine the steps you
will take to reach those goals. Your relationship
with your therapist is confidential and our common
therapeutic goal for those we engage is to inspire
healthy change to improve quality of life — no
matter the challenge.
We invite you seek out the Light of Project Light!
Serving individuals ages 13 years and up. Please call
to request a Project Light Intake at (586) 722-7253.
Looking for a great opportunity to make a difference?
NOW HIRING Behavioral Health Professional Therapists.
— Apply at www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Chaldean Community Foundation
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
46 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

WE ARE
HIRING
Do you possess a passion for bettering the lives of others?
Join our ever expanding team!
Behavioral Health Case Worker • Behavioral Health Therapist
Case Worker • Citizenship Instructor • Social Media Coordinator
Advocacy
Acculturation
Community Development
Cultural Preservation
For More Information
HR@chaldeanfoundation.org
586-722-7253
www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 47

IN MEMORIAM
Aneesa
Hirmiz Toma
Jul 1, 1941 –
Dec 20, 2023
Jacqueline
Saba Azar
Apr 18, 1957 –
Dec 20, 2023
Teresa Youkhanna
Jul 1, 1929 –
Dec 21, 2023
Rajeena Polus
Anwia
May 2, 1938 –
Dec 22, 2023
Hani Najib Sheeka
Aug 19, 1950 –
Dec 22, 2023
Sami Dawood
Roumaya
Jul 1, 1940 –
Dec 23, 2023
Nabeel Wadeea
Alkaseer
Jul 4, 1944 –
Dec 23, 2023
Waad Putrus
Alkassaphram
Apr 2, 1958 –
Dec 25, 2023
Ghanim Nouri
Qattan
Jul 1, 1939 –
Dec 25, 2023
Zeki Jorj-Poolis
Gabbara
Dec 4, 1955 –
Dec 25, 2023
Shamoon
Yousif Jarbo
Jul 1, 1940 –
Dec 27, 2023
Yako Botres
Jul 1, 1934 –
Dec 28, 2023
Durah Hami
Feb 20, 1951 –
Dec 28, 2023
Sonia Kakos Kejbo
Jan 9, 1972 –
Dec 28, 2023
Jamila Atty Abro
Oct 5, 1930 –
Dec 30, 2023
Nadera Said
Abdulahad
Jul 1, 1933 –
Jan 1, 2024
Benjamin
Shamoon Hanna
Jul 1, 1952 –
Jan 2, 2024
Tyler Anthony
Tomina
Sep 11, 2008 –
Jan 2, 2024
Badria Aziz
Kathawa
Apr 16, 1935 –
Jan 6, 2024
Younis Jaffo
Hakeem
Jul 1, 1935 –
Jan 7, 2024
Terry Christopher
Konja
Dec 23, 1960 –
Jan 7, 2024
Afaf Haddad
Sep 10, 1952 –
Jan 8, 2024
Kathy Mikhana
Jun 20, 1962 –
Jan 9, 2024
Iman Deza Yaldo
Dec 3, 1965 –
Jan 9, 2024
Fikrat Jamil
Romaya
Oct 21, 1951 –
Jan 10, 2024
Khami Shamon
Jul 1, 1940 –
Jan 10, 2024
Nora Iskander
Musa
Dec 18, 1935 –
Jan 11, 2024
Habib Lazar
Shamon Sana
Jul 1, 1943 –
Jan 11, 2024
Shemoun Isho
Bidawid
Jul 1, 1930 –
Jan 11, 2024
Nouri Yousif
Toma Damman
May 3, 1934 –
Jan 12, 2024
Juliet Patros
Shounyia
Jul 1, 1934 –
Jan 12, 2024
Faeza Issa
Jul 1, 1938 –
Jan 14, 2024
John T. Abdoian
Mar 20, 1946 –
Jan 15, 2024
Said Karim Mikhail
Kinaya
Nov 1, 1944 –
Jan 16, 2024
Sadoon Jaber
Jabro
Jul 1, 1954 –
Jan 16, 2024
Majdoline Zia
Summa Cholagh
Jul 1, 1940 –
Jan 17, 2024
Azhar Faraj Dally
Aug 28, 1968 –
Jan 17, 2024
Jarjis Jajo
Jun 28, 1946 –
Jan 19, 2024
Saleemah Hirmiz
Altony Al-Ton
Jul 1, 1937 –
Jan 20, 2024
Iftekhar Kaji
Hedow
Sep 30, 1962 –
Jan 21, 2024
48 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS
Authorized Agent for:
Phone: (248) 851-2227
(248) 851-BCBS
Fax: (248) 851-2215
rockyhpip1@aol.com
ROCKY H. HUSAYNU
Professional Insurance Planners
Individual & Group Health Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans
31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110
Farmington Hills, Ml 48334
Over 44 years of experience.
Gabe Gabriel
Associate Broker,
Certified ABR, SFR
29444 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 110
Southfield, Michigan 48034
Office (248) 737-9500
Direct (248) 939-1985
Fax (248) 737-1868
Email MortgageGabe@aol.com
Angela Kakos
Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending
o: (248) 622-0704
rate.com/angelakakos
angela.kakos@rate.com
2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit
nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply • Angela Kakos
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Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service
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TOP 1% OF REALTORS
2015 REAL ESTATE
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2015 2023 REAL ESTATE
OAKLAND COUNTY COUNTY 1993 – 2015 - 2023
HOUR MEDIA ALL STARS –
IN OAKLAND
ALL STAR -
HOUR MEDIA
COUNTY 1993 – 2015
Proudly servingHOUR Birmingham, MEDIA
Bloomfield, Proudly Farmington serving Birmingham, Hills, Bloomfield,
Each office Each office is independently
is independently
West Farmington Bloomfield, Hills, the Lakes West Bloomfield, the
Proudly serving Birmingham,
Owned Owned and Operated and Operated Brian S. Yaldoo and surrounding Lakes and areas. surrounding areas.
Bloomfield, Farmington Hills,
Associated Broker
Each office is independently
West Bloomfield, the Lakes
Office (248)737-6800 Brian • S. Mobile Yaldoo
Owned and Operated
(248)752-4010
Toll Associated Brian Free (866) S. 762-3960 Yaldoo and surrounding areas.
Broker
Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com Associated Websites: Broker www.brianyaldoo.com
Office (248) www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com
Office 737-6800 (248)737-6800 • Mobile (248)752-4010 (248) 752-4010
Email: Toll brianyaldoo@remax.net
Free (866) 762-3960
Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com
Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com
www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com
Paul M. Al-Attar, M.D.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Auburn Hills
3100 Cross Creek Pkwy
Suite 150
248-475-0502
www.msspc.org
855-450-2020
Advertise
Warren
11012 E. 13 Mile Rd
Suite 201
586-582-0760
JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PROGRAM MANAGER
in our business directory section!
for As little As $ 85
to place your ad, contact us today! 3601 15 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
TEL: (586) 722-7253
FAX: (586) 722-7257
phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348
jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org
30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101
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Jaguar Land Rover Troy
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1815 Maplelawn Drive
Troy, MI 48084
TEL 248-537-7467
MOBILE 248-219-5525
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ELIAS KATTOULA
CAREER SERVICES MANAGER
3601 15 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
TEL: (586) 722-7253
FAX: (586) 722-7257
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
MARIAM ABDALLA
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER
3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road
Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310
TEL:
TEL: (586) (586) 722-7253 722-7253
FAX:
FAX: (586) (586) 722-7257 722-7257
mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org
stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
www.chaldeanfoundation.org
IRAQI INFLUENCE
continued from page 40
the concerns of Christians increased
so much that they began to emigrate
again. I was told Christian families
from the Nineveh Plain leave Iraq at
a rate of 20 families per month due to
the chaos, fragmentation, and favoritism
created by sectarian militias.
“How could a Christian or Muslim
who believes in God commit such
transgressions?
“Who will protect these peaceful
Christians who are loyal to their homeland
if the state does not protect them?
These are painful violations, and they
have repercussions on Iraq’s reputation.
“With agony, I say if you do not
wish us to remain equal citizens in our
country, Iraq, then be honest about it.
So that we can manage ourselves before
it is too late.”
It is notable that every civilized
and historical prosperity was based
on peaceful coexistence, and every
regression was accompanied by religious
or sectarian tension. The Christian
citizens of Iraq built Iraq as Iraqis,
and today they are unfortunately deprived
of their rights and their homeland.
Ultimately the Middle East must
transition to a moderate democracy
that respects minority law. However,
this is so far from the currency cycle of
dictatorship and radicalism that it will
take generations to achieve that.
The consequences of these events
are going to be played out over the
next 50 years. Unfortunately, the minorities
in Iraq and the Middle East
will pay the ultimate price for this
transition. It is certain that Christians
will be the biggest losers of this uncertain
outcome.
Acknowledgement of sources and
excerpts from articles by Iraqi historian
and writers Dr. Sayyar Al-Jamil,
Siroor Mahmoud Mirza, Dr. Omar
Al-Kubaisi, Professor Raad Estefan,
Nizar Osachi, Faris Kamal Nadhmi,
Douglas Martin NY Times, Wikipedia,
Facebook, authors Hanna Batatu,
Habib Hannona, Kamal Yaldo, Silva
Seroubien, and other contributors.
FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 49

FROM THE ARCHIVE
Celebrating
Marriage
T
hese beautiful archival
photos supplied by the
Chaldean Cultural Center
show the joy and promise of
marriages blessed by God.
From the top, pictured are the
weddings of: Vickie George and
Badie Atchoo; Dr. Nathima and
Dr. Peter Atchoo; and Michael
and Andrea Gabbara. Shaw and
Mary Hakim are pictured in the
oval on the right. If you have
archival photos you’d like to
submit for consideration, please
send them, along with captions,
to edit@chaldeannews.com.
The Chaldean Cultural Center and Museum owns a collection of captivating images from our vibrant community that
we are delighted to share with the Chaldean News. If you have photographs that you would like us to incorporate into
our archive, kindly reach out to us at info@chaldeanculturalcenter.org or call 248-681-5050.
50 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 51

52 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024