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METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE I <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
Living<br />
Lent<br />
PREPARING TO<br />
CELEBRATE THE<br />
RESURRECTION<br />
Featuring:<br />
Dating Destinations<br />
Community Center Update<br />
Chaldean Kitchen
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2 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 3
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4 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> | VOL. 21 ISSUE I<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
16 Living Lent<br />
Preparing for the resurrection<br />
By Fr. John Jwad<br />
FEATURES<br />
18 Detroit’s Romance Renaissance<br />
8 places to take a date<br />
By Sarah Kittle<br />
19 The Spontaneity of Love<br />
By Beshar Shukri<br />
20 Chaldean Kitchen<br />
Traditional Iraqi Wedding Cake<br />
By Z.Z. Dawod<br />
22 From Mesopotamia to the Motor City<br />
How trade routes influenced culture<br />
By Cal Abbo<br />
26 Progress Report<br />
The Chaldean Community Center takes shape<br />
By Cal Abbo<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
6 From the Editor<br />
A Real Renaissance<br />
By Sarah Kittle<br />
8 Guest Columns<br />
Dr. Samir Jamil<br />
My Retreat Experience<br />
9 Mena Hannakachl<br />
A Progressive Girl’s Perspective<br />
10 Foundation Update<br />
Advocacy, Citizenship,<br />
New Board Members<br />
12 Noteworthy<br />
Hunter Nannoshi, Luxie Kouza<br />
14 Iraq Today<br />
Iran-Iraq Tensions Escalate<br />
28 Life Skills<br />
Money Matters<br />
By Paul Natinsky<br />
30 Economics & Enterprise<br />
Tania’s Pizza<br />
By Paul Natinsky<br />
32 Sports<br />
Brendin Yatooma<br />
By Steve Stein<br />
36 New Americans<br />
Patrick N’golo<br />
By Sarah Kittle<br />
44 Chaldean Digest<br />
Missile attack, New TV channel in Iraq<br />
48 In Memoriam<br />
50 From the Archive<br />
Wedding Photos<br />
16<br />
34 February Covers<br />
Through the years<br />
By Sarah Kittle<br />
38 Culture & History<br />
Iraqi Christian Contributions<br />
By Dr. Adhid Miri<br />
20<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 5
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
Chaldean News, LLC<br />
Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
Martin Manna<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
Sarah Kittle<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Cal Abbo<br />
Z.Z. Dawod<br />
Mena Hannakachl<br />
Dr. Samir Jamil<br />
Fr. John Jwad<br />
Sarah Kittle<br />
Dr. Adhid Miri<br />
Paul Natinsky<br />
Beshar Shukri<br />
Steve Stein<br />
ART & PRODUCTION<br />
CREATIVE DIRECTOR<br />
Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGNER<br />
Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
Alex Lumelsky<br />
SALES<br />
Interlink Media<br />
Sana Navarrette<br />
CLASSIFIEDS<br />
Sana Navarrette<br />
Subscriptions: $35 per year<br />
CONTACT INFORMATION<br />
Story ideas: edit@chaldeannews.com<br />
Advertisements: ads@chaldeannews.com<br />
Subscription and all other inquiries:<br />
info@chaldeannews.com<br />
Chaldean News<br />
30095 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 101<br />
Farmington Hills, MI 48334<br />
www.chaldeannews.com<br />
Phone: (248) 851-8600<br />
Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);<br />
Published monthly; Issue Date: February <strong>2024</strong><br />
Subscriptions: 12 months, $35.<br />
Publication Address:<br />
30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101,<br />
Farmington Hills, MI 48334;<br />
Permit to mail at periodicals postage rates<br />
is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office<br />
Postmaster: Send address changes to<br />
“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern<br />
Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”<br />
A real renaissance<br />
February is officially cuddle month, when<br />
frosty weather and frigid temperatures<br />
keep us confined to the great indoors. On<br />
the other hand, it is also a great date month,<br />
with Valentine’s Day smack dab in the middle.<br />
Lucky for you, dear reader, we have supplied<br />
some fantastic ideas for dating in Detroit—there<br />
are so many places to go, some that may even be<br />
new to you!<br />
Detroit today is experiencing a real resurgence,<br />
unlike the “renaissance” I lived through<br />
growing up in the city in the 70s and 80s. It feels<br />
like it can now truly be called “the Renaissance City,” and<br />
not just because of the Lions winning the Division Championship<br />
in the National Football League (although that<br />
doesn’t hurt). Everywhere you look downtown, there is a<br />
vibrancy and energy we haven’t<br />
seen in a long time, if ever. And<br />
we are part of it!<br />
SARAH KITTLE<br />
EDITOR<br />
IN CHIEF<br />
Embracing romance, we<br />
have curated a few stories to<br />
go with the theme. Besides the<br />
dating article, we have an update<br />
from Beshar Shukri, who<br />
penned the original “Dating<br />
While Chaldean” article in October<br />
2023, a wedding cake recipe<br />
in Chaldean Kitchen, and<br />
some love in a pizza pie, with a<br />
story about Tania’s Pizza. Wrapping up the romance issue<br />
are some archival wedding photos supplied by the Chaldean<br />
Cultural Center.<br />
Several features in this month’s edition focus on Iraq,<br />
with Cal Abbo’s Mesopotamia to the Motor City Part II in<br />
the lead, followed by Dr. Miri’s article on Christian contributions<br />
towards building the country of Iraq. Iraq Today<br />
and Chaldean Digest both relay stories about recent conflict<br />
in northern Iraq and the effect on the people living<br />
there. Noteworthy this month highlights a young boy who<br />
shares his faith and a young woman who found her calling.<br />
The Sports section celebrates an extraordinary<br />
individual by the name of Brendin Yatooma.<br />
For newcomers to America, Paul Natinsky<br />
gives some basic advice regarding money and<br />
budgeting in the Life Skills department. We also<br />
share a brief story about Patrick N’golo, a recent<br />
immigrant who came to the U.S. with his family<br />
for asylum and was helped by the Chaldean Community<br />
Foundation.<br />
Our cover story this month was penned by<br />
none other than Fr. John “Junior” Jwad, newly<br />
ordained and filled with the Spirit. He reminds<br />
us that Lent is a way of life, not just something you give<br />
up for couple of weeks before Easter. The observance of<br />
Lent is a significant and solemn period emphasizing repentance,<br />
prayer, and fasting, mirroring the biblical 40<br />
Detroit today is experiencing a real<br />
resurgence, unlike the “renaissance”<br />
I lived through growing up in the city<br />
in the 70s and 80s. It feels like it can now<br />
truly be called “the Renaissance City.”<br />
days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. The focus is on<br />
self-reflection and spiritual growth, and the time is special<br />
and sacred.<br />
Make the most of it.<br />
Sarah Kittle<br />
Editor in Chief<br />
CONNECT WITH<br />
YOUR COMMUNITY.<br />
SUBSCRIBE TO THE<br />
CHALDEAN NEWS<br />
AND FOLLOW CN<br />
ON SOCIAL MEDIA.<br />
6 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE<br />
Join the<br />
Publishers Circle<br />
As the publication of record for Michigan’s<br />
Chaldean community, the mission of the<br />
Chaldean News is to preserve and archive<br />
Chaldean heritage and history, and to tell the<br />
ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to the<br />
communities in which we live and work — in Michigan<br />
and around the world.<br />
Since being acquired by the Chaldean Community<br />
Foundation in 2019, the Chaldean News has substantially<br />
increased its readership and social media following,<br />
introduced new digital and website content, and expanded<br />
storytelling with the help of small grant funding.<br />
The Publisher’s Circle initiative empowers community members<br />
to provide major support for the Chaldean News and its<br />
important mission. With the generous help of individuals and<br />
organizations, together, we can ensure that this vital resource<br />
continues to educate and connect the community, while<br />
evolving to meet the needs of future generations.<br />
The Chaldean News has ambitious plans which include<br />
launching a CN app and continuing to expand into new<br />
media such as radio and TV, all with the goal of preserving<br />
our culture and telling the story of our people. You<br />
can take part in helping to preserve your Chaldean<br />
heritage by joining the Publisher’s Circle today.<br />
Jibran “Jim” Manna<br />
Martin and Tamara Manna<br />
Sylvester and Rita Sandiha<br />
We are grateful for the generous and<br />
continuing support of our community.<br />
To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com<br />
or contact us at 248-851-8600<br />
Let’s grow the circle.<br />
SEPTEMBER <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 2023 CHALDEAN NEWS 7
GUEST COLUMN<br />
My Retreat Experience<br />
BY SAMIR JAMIL, MD<br />
Recently, I attended<br />
my first silent retreat<br />
sponsored by the<br />
Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization<br />
Center (ECRC). From<br />
the start, I felt that I did not<br />
belong to this crowd of mostly<br />
young devotees, especially<br />
after I noticed how much<br />
more spiritual they were.<br />
What I hoped for by attending<br />
this retreat was a true<br />
self-examination and to inch<br />
closer to God the Creator.<br />
I must admit that I succeeded in reexamining<br />
myself but failed at inching<br />
closer to God; however, my soul,<br />
my mind, and my heart are still open<br />
for the grace of God for a meaningful<br />
Metanoia — a true conversion.<br />
It was during this retreat that I discovered<br />
how deficient I was in spiritual<br />
life.<br />
Also, it was made clear to me that<br />
this younger crowd is so far ahead of<br />
me in pursuing the holy life. I noticed<br />
a great deal of enthusiasm among<br />
the attendees, energy that I envied<br />
throughout the retreat duration. The<br />
day after the retreat was over, it came<br />
to me to write down my observations,<br />
and it is my hope that what I am saying<br />
will not be misconstrued to be an<br />
accusation or a judgement.<br />
The Holy Spirit is the third person<br />
in our core Catholic Doctrine of the<br />
Holy Trinity. He is the fruit of the love<br />
between God the Father and the Son<br />
(God-man Jesus.) The Holy Spirit also<br />
gives us, the people of the Church, a<br />
variety of Charisms - 1 Corinthians 12:<br />
4-11. These Charisms (as defined by<br />
Catherine of Sienna Institute) are spiritual<br />
gifts, special abilities, that are given<br />
to all Christians to give them power<br />
both to represent Christ and to be a<br />
channel of God’s goodness for people.<br />
In 1967, a movement sprung up<br />
within the Catholic Church under the<br />
name of Catholic Charismatic Renewal<br />
Movement (CCR). It is a neo-Pentecostal<br />
movement within the Catholic<br />
Church that emphasizes the workings<br />
of the Holy Spirit (the Charisms), interprets<br />
the Bible literally, and adopts an<br />
informal demonstrative approach to<br />
SAMIR<br />
JAMIL, MD<br />
SPECIAL<br />
TO THE<br />
CHALDEAN<br />
NEWS<br />
religious worship.<br />
It is the last point, adoption<br />
of informal approach to religious<br />
worship, that I am worried<br />
about for our community’s<br />
younger generation, because of<br />
the ease of falling into it.<br />
The CCR movement is approved<br />
by the Vatican, which<br />
considers it an authentic<br />
movement of the Spirit in our<br />
times, and its headquarters<br />
are in Rome. The adherents of<br />
the movement (about 120 million<br />
worldwide) are genuine Catholics<br />
and faithful to Mother Church, but its<br />
Blessing of the Renewal services (weekly<br />
prayer meetings) are heavily Pentecostal<br />
in form.<br />
During these services the Holy<br />
Spirit is summoned to bless the attendees<br />
with Charisms, mainly speaking<br />
in tongues and physical healing. The<br />
meetings follow this format: gathering<br />
song; opening prayer; praise and worship<br />
with Scripture reading; singing;<br />
prophecy; testimony; Tongues (in song,<br />
praise, or prophecy); and ministering<br />
the Gifts (Charisms) of the Holy Spirit<br />
to the people gathered in healing, miracles,<br />
word of knowledge …etc.<br />
This kind of celebration of the Holy<br />
Spirit by CCR followers may take over<br />
the Mass celebration. More importantly,<br />
the Charisms themselves may get<br />
misinterpreted or abused by the individuals<br />
or groups.<br />
The Catholic Church, however, tolerates<br />
the CCR movement for a few reasons:<br />
most Charismatics do not leave<br />
the Catholic Church; CCR upholds the<br />
dogmas of Catholicism; and there is a<br />
large audience for the CCR inside the<br />
Catholic Church (both clergy and laity).<br />
In any case, I personally am not at<br />
ease with this movement that goes far<br />
beyond our Church Tradition and Vatican<br />
II, and to some extent rides on the<br />
wagons of Protestantism, modernism,<br />
and postmodernism, but this admittedly<br />
is my biased personal view of the CCR. It<br />
is my plea to our younger clergy and the<br />
younger generations of our Chaldean<br />
community to examine the tenets of this<br />
movement before trying to imitate some<br />
of its non-Catholic practices. .<br />
8 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
A Perspective<br />
from a Progressive<br />
Chaldean Girl<br />
BY MENA HANNAKACHI<br />
Redefining what it<br />
means to be a “progressive<br />
Chaldean” is<br />
long overdue. I respect the<br />
reasons why Chaldeans lean<br />
toward the right, especially<br />
considering the history of<br />
fighting to preserve the culture’s<br />
identity, religion, and<br />
language. I understand the<br />
challenges of keeping our<br />
traditions, beliefs, and behaviors<br />
alive amidst other<br />
communities. However, I believe<br />
there is room for progression in<br />
our community– space to accept people<br />
who don’t fit the mold.<br />
I am one of them. I am not a traditional<br />
Chaldean girl. I am a progressive<br />
Chaldean girl. I am a Chaldean<br />
girl who had a different background<br />
and upbringing. I was born in Iraq,<br />
but I lived in the United Arab Emirates<br />
before immigrating to the States at the<br />
age of thirteen.<br />
This experience gives me a<br />
unique perspective. I didn’t grow up<br />
within a typical Chaldean space. Being<br />
an openly progressive Chaldean<br />
is not an act of rebellion or rejection<br />
of my culture; rather, it is an act of<br />
courage, inspiration, and pride to<br />
find fellow progressive Chaldeans<br />
who aren’t afraid to take up space. I<br />
argue for the acceptance of progressiveness<br />
within the Chaldean community.<br />
My aim is to shed light on<br />
the importance of cultivating an inclusive<br />
and diverse space for fellow<br />
progressive Chaldeans.<br />
Recently, I shared my progressive<br />
voice through a memoir essay titled,<br />
“What Chaldean Girls Are.” In it, I<br />
explore my experiences as an immigrant<br />
Chaldean woman, challenging<br />
communal expectations and delving<br />
into profound themes such as cultural<br />
identity, ideological perspectives, and<br />
communal desperation.<br />
Upon its release, my piece resonated<br />
with many Chaldeans and people<br />
MENA<br />
HANNAKACHI<br />
SPECIAL<br />
TO THE<br />
CHALDEAN<br />
NEWS<br />
from different backgrounds<br />
as it touches on many universal<br />
themes. My hope through<br />
the memoir is to start a dialogue<br />
on what it means to<br />
be a progressive Chaldean<br />
in our community. By sharing<br />
my experiences, I hope to<br />
foster a diversity of perspectives<br />
that extend beyond traditional<br />
viewpoints.<br />
While my ideals are often<br />
seen as a shift away<br />
from my culture, my push<br />
for diversity and inclusion in the<br />
community is not an attempt of assimilation<br />
or so called “whitewashing.”<br />
It is a call for the community<br />
to consider a different progressive<br />
perspective. Upon finding my voice<br />
as a progressive Chaldean girl, I have<br />
a few thoughts on who we are.<br />
To be a progressive Chaldean girl<br />
is to embrace one’s cultural roots but<br />
not be constrained or defined by cultural<br />
expectations. It’s not a defiance<br />
to challenge the status quo, but rather<br />
a necessary act to foster change.<br />
To be a progressive Chaldean girl<br />
is to be an agent of change, a force for<br />
inclusivity and acceptance, breaking<br />
down the barriers of prejudice that<br />
have held us back for far too long as a<br />
community—all in the name of “being<br />
Chaldean.”<br />
I want to make it clear that being<br />
a progressive Chaldean girl does not<br />
mean abandoning our cultural identity.<br />
It means enriching our culture<br />
with new perspectives, fostering dialogue<br />
between generations, and forging<br />
a space that is both respectful of<br />
the culture but open to the possibility<br />
of change.<br />
I think there is room to foster acceptance<br />
and build a community<br />
where our differences are celebrated.<br />
I believe we can create a community<br />
where we are defined not by expectations<br />
but by the authenticity that we<br />
bring to the world. .<br />
COMING SOON!<br />
The new Chaldean News app<br />
is coming soon to your<br />
iPhone or Android device!<br />
Be among the first to be<br />
notified by registering at<br />
chaldeannews.com/app<br />
to download and install<br />
for FREE, as soon it drops.<br />
Everyone who registers<br />
will have an opportunity<br />
to win a limited edition<br />
Made in Nineveh gift box.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 9
FOUNDATION UPDATE<br />
Youth Futsal<br />
Camp at<br />
the CCF<br />
Husband and Wife Obtain<br />
U.S. Citizenship<br />
Upon arrival in the United States, Azmy Bashe and his family discovered an urgent<br />
need for transportation. Learning about the Chaldean Community Foundation’s Michael<br />
J. George Chaldean Loan Fund (MJG CLF), Azmy and his wife Liqaa met with<br />
the MJG CLF committee and were approved for a loan to purchase a vehicle, which<br />
they have since paid off.<br />
The CCF was not done helping the Bashes. After residing in the United States<br />
for one year, the CCF’s Immigration team assisted Azmy in applying for lawful permanent<br />
resident status to obtain his Green Card. Then Azmy and Liqaa attended<br />
the CCF’s 10-week Citizenship Preparation Course, which provided instruction and<br />
preparation for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization<br />
interview. With the help of the course, Azmy and Liqaa recently passed their<br />
naturalization interviews and have obtained U.S. Citizenship.<br />
“My family and I cannot express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the support<br />
this great institution provided,” says Azmy, “and I call on all my colleagues<br />
and friends facing obstacles to go to the Foundation and seek assistance.”<br />
Advocating for Chaldeans<br />
Azmy and Liqaa<br />
Bashe celebrating<br />
their citizenship.<br />
With support from the Good Sports Foundation,<br />
the Chaldean Community Foundation is hosting<br />
a two-day indoor futsal (a type of indoor soccer)<br />
camp for middle school (grade 6-8) students on<br />
February 21 and February 23 from 9:30am-11:30 am.<br />
Futsal is a fast, fun version of soccer that can be played in gyms<br />
and other indoor spaces. The camp will take place at the Chaldean<br />
Community Foundation and will be limited to 24 participants. For<br />
more information, please contact the CCF at 586-722-7253.<br />
New CCF Board Members<br />
The Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
welcomed two new members<br />
to its Board of Directors:<br />
Saber Ammori and Frank Toma.<br />
Saber Ammori is Co-Chief Executive<br />
Officer and co-founder of<br />
Wireless Vision. He has over 25<br />
years of experience in business<br />
management and operations.<br />
His entrepreneurial drive has<br />
New CCF board members:<br />
Frank Toma (left) and Saber<br />
Ammori (right).<br />
led him to start several successful businesses, most of them retail<br />
oriented. Saber Ammori has been named one of dbusiness’s 500<br />
Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit.<br />
Frank Toma is President of Clean View Auto Wash, with several<br />
locations in Michigan. Frank is also an active member of the CCF’s<br />
Gala Committee. Frank and his company are also avid supporters<br />
of the Mojo in the Morning Breaking and Entering Christmas Drive.<br />
Congressman John James visited the CCF to hear from his constituents in the district<br />
and to learn about the ongoing challenges in Iraq. CCF staff also met with Congresswoman<br />
Lisa McClain and Congressman James Comer, and highlighted the contributions<br />
Chaldeans are making in the region, while providing suggestions on how to<br />
support displaced and marginalized Chaldean Iraqis.<br />
Becoming New Drivers<br />
Left to right: Congressman James Comer from Kentucky, Congresswoman Lisa McClain,<br />
Martin Manna; Left to right: Sharon Hannawa, Congressman John James, Martin Manna<br />
With funding through Community Telecommunications Network,<br />
the CCF’s Breaking Barriers program has purchased an<br />
indoor state-of-the-art virtual driving simulator to allow hard<br />
of hearing and/or deaf learners the opportunity to experience<br />
being in the driver’s seat, simulating speed, braking and vibration.<br />
The H.E.A.L. Project helps better equip those with hearing<br />
impairments to live independent lives. Assisted by an American<br />
Sign Language interpreter for the deaf, the group is learning how<br />
to become licensed drivers.<br />
Participants will have an opportunity to take the written test followed<br />
by a road test to obtain their state of Michigan driver’s license.<br />
10 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 11
NOTEWORTHY<br />
SylvanLearningCenter_full_CT_<strong>2024</strong>-Q1_r1.pdf<br />
Praying for Conversions<br />
Hunter Nannoshi noticed something while watching football with his<br />
dad, Ivan. The Detroit Lion’s kicker, Riley Patterson, wore a cross around<br />
his neck. That gave Hunter an idea. “I have a rosary that is the same<br />
color as the Lions colors. And when my dad told me he got us tickets to<br />
the [Bears] game, I brought it with me to give it to Riley,” Hunter said.<br />
At the<br />
College<br />
game on November 19, Hunter presented<br />
Dreams<br />
Patterson with<br />
the rosary with a little help from Nannoshi’s neighbors’ field pass.<br />
The group hailed down a field personnel worker, telling him Hunter<br />
had a gift for the Lion’s kicker.<br />
The field personnel took the rosary and gave it to Patterson. To<br />
Hunter’s surprise, Patterson ran over to Hunter after he finished his<br />
warmup. In a moment caught on video ARE and posted on WITHIN Reach<br />
St. William<br />
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shared their love of Jesus with one another.<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 13
IRAQ TODAY<br />
People hold photos of a child killed in the Iranian strikes at the house of Peshraw Dizayi during a protest in front of the<br />
U.N. office in Irbil, Iraq, on Jan. 16, <strong>2024</strong>. Dizayi, a prominent Kurdish businessman, was killed in one of the Irbil strikes<br />
along with members of his family.<br />
Iran-Iraq Tensions Escalate<br />
Iraq recalls ambassador, summons Iran’s<br />
chargé d’affaires over strikes in Irbil<br />
BY SALAR SALIM AND OMAR ALBAM (AP)<br />
IRBIL, Iraq (AP)<br />
Iraq recalled its ambassador from<br />
Tehran for consultations and summoned<br />
Iran’s chargé d’affaires in<br />
Baghdad on Tuesday in protest over<br />
Iranian strikes on northern Iraq that<br />
killed several civilians overnight, the<br />
Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.<br />
The Iranian attack was “a blatant<br />
violation” of Iraq’s sovereignty and<br />
“strongly contradicts the principles of<br />
good neighborliness and international<br />
law, and threatens the security of the region,”<br />
the ministry said in a statement.<br />
Iran fired missiles late Monday at<br />
what it said were Israeli “spy headquarters”<br />
in an upscale neighborhood<br />
near the sprawling U.S. Consulate<br />
compound in Irbil, the seat of Iraq’s<br />
northern semi-autonomous Kurdish<br />
region, and at targets linked to the extremist<br />
Islamic State group in northern<br />
Syria.<br />
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in<br />
a statement Tuesday that it launched<br />
four missiles at IS positions in Syria’s<br />
Idlib province and 11 missiles at<br />
the Kurdish region in northern Iraq,<br />
where it said it hit a center of Mossad,<br />
the Israeli intelligence agency.<br />
Qassim al-Araji, the adviser for national<br />
security affairs to Iraq’s Prime<br />
Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani<br />
who is heading a committee investigating<br />
the attack in Irbil, said Iran’s<br />
“claims of targeting a Mossad headquarters<br />
are baseless.”<br />
“There is no reason for these attacks<br />
and there is no excuse,” Masrour<br />
Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdish<br />
region, said in a news conference<br />
in Davos while attending Tuesday the<br />
World Economic Forum. “These attacks<br />
should not remain without a response.”<br />
The strikes came at a time of heightened<br />
tensions in the region and fears of<br />
a wider spillover of the ongoing war in<br />
Gaza between Israel and Hamas.<br />
They also came after the Islamic<br />
State group claimed responsibility<br />
earlier this month for two suicide<br />
bombings targeting a commemoration<br />
for an Iranian general slain in a<br />
2020 U.S. drone strike. The attack in<br />
Kerman killed at least 84 people and<br />
wounded 284 others at the ceremony<br />
honoring Revolutionary Guard Gen.<br />
Qassem Soleimani.<br />
Iranian state media quoted Gen.<br />
Hassan Hassanzadeh, one of the commanders<br />
of the Revolutionary Guard,<br />
as saying that Monday’s strikes were<br />
a response to a demand made by the<br />
country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah<br />
Ali Khamenei.<br />
He added they will continue their<br />
“action” until “the enemies regret”<br />
what they did.<br />
Also on Tuesday, Iran launched<br />
attacks, using missiles and drones,<br />
targeting what it described as bases<br />
for the militant group Jaish al-Adl, a<br />
Sunni militant group largely operating<br />
across the border in nuclear-armed<br />
Pakistan, state-run IRNA news agency<br />
said. Those reports were then suddenly<br />
removed without explanation.<br />
Pakistan did not immediately acknowledge<br />
the attack.<br />
Last month, Iran accused Israel of<br />
killing a high-ranking Iranian general,<br />
Seyed Razi Mousavi, in an airstrike on<br />
a Damascus neighborhood.<br />
It was unclear whether the strikes<br />
PHOTO BY JULIA ZIMMERMANN / METROGRAPHY / AP<br />
in Syria had, in fact, hit any targets associated<br />
with the Islamic State group.<br />
Mounir al-Mustafa, deputy director<br />
of the civil defense in northwest Syria,<br />
also known as the White Helmets, said<br />
one of the strikes in Idlib targeted a<br />
medical clinic that was no longer operating<br />
in the village of Talteta in northwest<br />
Idlib province. Two civilians suffered<br />
minor injuries, he said.<br />
Sami al-Qassim, who lives near the<br />
targeted site, said the clinic was empty<br />
and there were no militant activities in<br />
the area.<br />
The Iranian strike in Irbil killed at<br />
least four people, among them Peshraw<br />
Dizayi, a prominent local businessman<br />
with a portfolio that included real estate<br />
and security services companies,<br />
along with members of his family.<br />
The United States condemned<br />
what State Department spokesperson<br />
Matthew Miller described as “Iran’s<br />
reckless missile strikes.”<br />
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson<br />
Nasser Kanaani said in a statement<br />
that the strikes in Iraq and Syria<br />
were “in line with the resolute defense<br />
of the country’s sovereignty and security,<br />
countering terrorism, and part<br />
of the Islamic Republic’s punishment<br />
against those who threaten the country’s<br />
security.”<br />
He said that Iran in “a precise<br />
and targeted operation, identified the<br />
headquarters of the criminals and targeted<br />
them with accurate and precision-guided<br />
projectiles.”<br />
A few hundred demonstrators<br />
gathered in Irbil on Tuesday to protest<br />
the attacks.<br />
In northwest Syria, a missile strike<br />
Tuesday morning hit an area housing<br />
teenage detainees at the Sinaa prison in<br />
the city of Hassakeh, where hundreds<br />
of IS fighters are jailed. The U.S.-backed<br />
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces,<br />
which operates the prison, said the<br />
strike caused minor injuries and sparked<br />
an unsuccessful prison break attempt.<br />
SDF spokesman Siamand Ali told<br />
The Associated Press that “we have no<br />
specific information on who was behind<br />
the attack.”<br />
Albam reported from Taltela, Syria.<br />
Associated Press writers Qassim<br />
Abdul-Zahra and Abdulrahman Zeyad<br />
in Baghdad, Abby Sewell and Bassem<br />
Mroue in Beirut, and Amir Vahdat in<br />
Tehran, contributed to this report.<br />
14 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
Caught in<br />
the Conflict<br />
In a tragic incident on January 4th, the village<br />
of Einshki in Dohuk province, Iraq, fell victim<br />
to an airstrike carried out by Turkish planes, resulting<br />
in both material and psychological devastation<br />
within this small Chaldean community.<br />
Einshki, home to approximately 48 Chaldean<br />
families, witnessed profound effects on<br />
its residents. The emotional and psychological<br />
aftermath impacted their daily lives, exacerbating<br />
their sense of insecurity.<br />
Situated near the Turkish border, Einshki<br />
has been a hotspot of political tension due to<br />
the military conflict between the Kurdistan<br />
Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish armed<br />
forces. Local residents face significant challenges<br />
due to ongoing fears of military operations<br />
and a lack of security.<br />
Gardinia Ghassan Youssef, an engineer and<br />
political activist, shares her story amid this<br />
challenging conflict, with her home suffering<br />
significant damage. She appeals to the international<br />
community and the Chaldean community<br />
specifically to provide necessary support<br />
for achieving peace and security in this<br />
troubled region. This incident is not isolated,<br />
raising concerns about the recurrence of similar<br />
scenes in the future.<br />
Gardinia’s home suffered extensive damage.<br />
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 15
COVER STORY<br />
Living Lent<br />
Preparing to celebrate the resurrection<br />
BY FR. JOHN JWAD<br />
Lent is a liturgical season of<br />
prayer and fasting that begins<br />
for Chaldean Catholics this year<br />
on Monday, February 12. It is a period<br />
of preparation before the celebration<br />
of the Lord’s resurrection at Easter.<br />
Lent is a very important time for<br />
Catholics around the world, but it is<br />
especially meaningful for the Chaldean<br />
community. These weeks of fasting,<br />
prayer and almsgiving give us an<br />
opportunity to spiritually and even<br />
physically accompany our Lord in His<br />
passion, so that we may share in the<br />
joy of His resurrection.<br />
Historically, our people viewed<br />
Lent as one of the most important<br />
times of the year. In the villages of<br />
olden days, people fasted, refraining<br />
from eating all food from sundown<br />
until noon. They also completely abstained<br />
from meat, dairy, and cooking<br />
oil for all of Lent. Forefathers in our<br />
Chaldean villages took Lent very seriously.<br />
No weddings or joyful occasions<br />
were celebrated during Lent (except<br />
religious festivals) and all men were<br />
expected to abstain from alcohol.<br />
Today, the Catholic Church leaves<br />
it up to the individual to choose how<br />
to specifically fast. Many modern-day<br />
Chaldeans fast from meat on the first<br />
and last week of Lent as well as on all<br />
its Fridays; that’s in addition to their<br />
own personal Lenten promises.<br />
In our liturgy, the Chaldean Church<br />
also places great importance on the<br />
middle week of Lent (Week 4) which is<br />
nicknamed “pelu.” Based on the readings,<br />
this middle week serves as a time<br />
of reflection and prayer, asking the<br />
Lord for strength to be able to fulfill<br />
the rest of the days of Lent in perseverance<br />
and faith.<br />
Another point of great importance<br />
is that in the Chaldean Church, Lent<br />
officially begins on the Sunday before<br />
Ash Wednesday, seven weeks before<br />
Easter. The Friday before Lent begins<br />
is called the Friday of the Deceased.<br />
On this day, we remember and pray<br />
for all those who have passed from<br />
among us in hope of the resurrection.<br />
Our Church fathers placed this memorial<br />
right before Lent so that it may be<br />
a chance for the faithful to remember<br />
death in a personal way. It also hopefully<br />
leads us all to repentance and<br />
conversion; the Latin Rite Catholic<br />
Church puts great emphasis on these<br />
themes during their Ash Wednesday<br />
services.<br />
The Sunday after that is officially<br />
the first Sunday of the Great Fast<br />
(Soma Raba). This first Sunday is celebrated<br />
liturgically as a great feast day<br />
and is accompanied with many joyful<br />
prayers which describe the joy we are<br />
to have, since salvation is finally near.<br />
Hence, all penitential practices and<br />
fasting begin the day after (Monday)<br />
and last until Easter.<br />
On each Friday in Lent, many faithful<br />
attend the Stations of the Cross and<br />
reflect on the passion Christ endured<br />
for our salvation. These fourteen stations<br />
are accompanied by chants<br />
which reflect on the passion that our<br />
Blessed Mother also endured. It’s<br />
beautiful to see the faithful practices<br />
of our forefathers being upheld and<br />
know that most of these practices still<br />
live on today.<br />
The faith of our community can<br />
truly be witnessed, especially during<br />
Lent. It gives me great joy to see our<br />
parishes packed on Fridays for Stations<br />
of the Cross and to see young and<br />
old alike practicing some kind of fast<br />
throughout Lent.<br />
In these days as we approach Lent,<br />
the big topic of interest in our community<br />
is what to give up. Many people<br />
get very anxious trying to think of the<br />
perfect thing to give up while neglecting<br />
to analyze the effect that this fast<br />
will have on one’s spiritual life.<br />
As we approach Lent this year, we<br />
need to think more about not what we<br />
are going to give up, but rather how<br />
this fast, whatever it is, will allow us<br />
to grow as individuals. Rather than<br />
debating what to fast from, we need<br />
to honestly ask ourselves: How can I<br />
work on myself throughout these holy<br />
days? How can I try wholeheartedly to<br />
cleanse myself from different sins that<br />
I continually struggle with in my daily<br />
life? Let the Holy Spirit guide you and<br />
don’t rush.<br />
Take time in prayer and see what<br />
the Lord is calling you to do this Lent.<br />
As a community, we focus so much<br />
on what we are going to eat and do<br />
during Lent, rather than the spiritual<br />
progress of our lives. There is no point<br />
in fasting from food without trying to<br />
fast from sin.<br />
During this Lent, let us keep our eyes<br />
on the prize. Let us remember that with<br />
the grace of God we are called to transform<br />
our lives. This is not an easy task,<br />
but like our Lord who faithfully carried<br />
His cross out of love, we too must rely on<br />
His love to help us overcome temptation<br />
in our lives and allow Him to grant us<br />
victory over our sins.<br />
16 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 17
FEATURE<br />
Detroit’s Romance Renaissance<br />
8 Places for a Romantic Date<br />
BY SARAH KITTLE<br />
Metro Detroit may not be top-of-mind for lovers<br />
planning a romantic date night, but it<br />
does offer everything you need and more!<br />
Detroit has undergone a breathtaking revival in<br />
recent years, blossoming into a vibrant and diverse<br />
city with an expanding array of enchanting destinations<br />
for a memorable date night. From the pulsating<br />
energy of downtown to the scenic waterfront,<br />
we look at eight extraordinary places that epitomize<br />
metro Detroit’s romantic renaissance in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Experience Zuzu<br />
Amid Detroit’s growing dining scene, Zuzu emerges<br />
as a captivating addition, enticing couples with its<br />
innovative cuisine and charming ambiance. Located<br />
at 511 Woodward Avenue, Zuzu exudes modern<br />
elegance with its lively decor, featuring a blend of<br />
global chic and intimate sophistication. What sets<br />
Zuzu apart is its eclectic menu, curated by classically<br />
trained executive chef, Ivan Aguinaga, renowned for<br />
his creative vision of Asian flavors.<br />
The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and<br />
seasonality is evident in each exquisitely crafted dish,<br />
inviting patrons on a gastronomic journey that delights<br />
the palate and sparks conversation. Zuzu’s intimate and<br />
beautiful setting, coupled with its tantalizing menu offerings,<br />
promises to elevate any date night to a culinary<br />
experience that lingers long after the final bite.<br />
Ford Wyoming Drive-In<br />
For a nostalgic yet incredibly charming date night experience,<br />
the Ford Wyoming Drive-In Theatre stands as<br />
an iconic destination in metro Detroit. As one of the few<br />
remaining drive-in theaters in the region, this historic<br />
venue offers couples a delightful journey back in time.<br />
Located in Dearborn, just outside Detroit, the<br />
Ford Wyoming Drive-In boasts multiple screens<br />
showcasing the latest blockbuster movies under the<br />
starlit sky. The retro ambiance, complete with classic<br />
concession stands serving up popcorn and snacks,<br />
sets the stage for a cozy and intimate evening.<br />
Sharing a car and blankets while watching a<br />
double feature or catching a beloved film provides an<br />
enchanting atmosphere for couples seeking a unique<br />
and old-fashioned yet utterly enjoyable date night.<br />
Redford Theatre<br />
Surprise your date with a trip to Redford Theatre, a<br />
retro movie theater on the outer edge of Detroit. Nestled<br />
in the heart of the charming Old Redford neighborhood,<br />
the Redford Theatre stands as a cherished<br />
cultural gem and a perfect spot for an unforgettable<br />
date night in Detroit.<br />
This historic theater, a mini version of the Fox, is<br />
adorned with ornate décor reminiscent of a bygone<br />
era, exuding timeless elegance. Known for its classic<br />
film screenings and live organ performances on the<br />
original Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, the Redford Theatre<br />
offers a nostalgic and immersive cinematic experience.<br />
You can see screenings of classic films from<br />
all decades, ranging from the silent film era to indie<br />
classics from 20 years ago.<br />
The theater’s meticulously preserved interior,<br />
including its stunning ceiling mural and intricate<br />
details, transports visitors to a cinematic paradise.<br />
Attending a movie screening at the Redford Theatre<br />
allows couples to relish the magic of classic cinema<br />
while reveling in the theater’s rich history, making<br />
for a truly enchanting and romantic evening.<br />
Third Man Records<br />
Situated in Detroit’s historic Cass Corridor, Third Man<br />
Records holds a magnetic allure for music enthusiasts<br />
and couples seeking an offbeat yet captivating<br />
date experience. Founded by musician Jack White,<br />
this iconic record store and vinyl pressing plant embodies<br />
the city’s musical legacy.<br />
Beyond being a haven for vinyl aficionados, Third<br />
Man Records doubles as a performance venue where<br />
local and touring artists grace the stage, providing<br />
an intimate setting for live music. With its retro-chic<br />
interior adorned with vintage recording equipment<br />
and an extensive collection of vinyl records, the store<br />
invites patrons to immerse themselves in Detroit’s vibrant<br />
music culture.<br />
18 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
The Spontaneity<br />
of Love<br />
BY BESHAR SHUKRI<br />
Left to right: The view from Highlands Detroit; Redford Theatre has wonderful ambiance; Zuzu offers<br />
unique treats.<br />
Couples can spend quality time exploring the<br />
eclectic music collection, attending live performances,<br />
or even participating in workshops and recordcutting<br />
sessions, fostering a shared appreciation for<br />
music and creating lasting memories in the city’s<br />
thriving music scene.<br />
Checker Bar<br />
Checker Bar, located at 124 Cadillac Square, and POP<br />
+ Offworld Arcade upstairs, serve as an enticing fusion<br />
of retro arcade gaming and delectable dining,<br />
offering couples an unconventional and entertaining<br />
date spot in Detroit’s downtown core. Combining<br />
the nostalgia of classic arcade games with a vibrant<br />
bar and restaurant atmosphere, Checker Bar together<br />
with Offworld Arcade creates a unique experience.<br />
Couples can relive their childhood memories<br />
while engaging in friendly competition over a wide<br />
array of vintage arcade games, from pinball machines<br />
to iconic video game cabinets. The inviting<br />
ambiance, complemented by Checker Bar’s mouthwatering<br />
burgers and craft beer selection, encourages<br />
a relaxed and enjoyable time. This dynamic venue<br />
encourages playful interaction and shared laughter,<br />
making it an ideal spot for couples seeking a laidback<br />
yet spirited outing in the heart of Detroit.<br />
Prism (Hollywood Casino Greektown)<br />
Prism, located within the Hollywood Casino in Greektown,<br />
stands as a sophisticated dining destination,<br />
offering couples a luxurious and upscale experience<br />
in the heart of Detroit’s Greektown district. With its<br />
sleek and modern décor, Prism exudes an aura of elegance<br />
and refinement. The restaurant’s ambiance,<br />
combined with its panoramic views of the cityscape,<br />
sets the stage for an intimate and romantic evening.<br />
Prism’s menu, curated by acclaimed chefs, showcases<br />
a tantalizing array of fine American cuisine with<br />
a contemporary twist, featuring prime steaks, seafood<br />
delicacies, and gourmet dishes crafted from locally<br />
sourced ingredients. This upscale dining establishment<br />
provides impeccable service, an extensive wine<br />
list, and a delectable dessert selection, ensuring that<br />
couples can savor a memorable and indulgent culinary<br />
experience amid the allure of the casino atmosphere.<br />
Revel Steak (MotorCity Casino Hotel)<br />
MotorCity Casino’s culinary landscape has been elevated<br />
to new heights with the introduction of Revel<br />
Steak, the ideal destination for an enchanting<br />
date night in Detroit. A stylish departure from tradition,<br />
Revel Steak embraces steakhouse elegance<br />
without the formality. Expect to find traditional<br />
dishes and attentive yet relaxed service in the comfortably<br />
modern dining room. Picture an intimate<br />
table bathed in soft lighting, where couples can savor<br />
the romance of the evening while indulging in<br />
the finest cuts of prime beef. With its combination<br />
of delectable cuisine, elegant atmosphere, and the<br />
thrill of being at MotorCity Casino, Revel Steak<br />
emerges as the perfect haven for couples seeking<br />
a romantic and indulgent date night in the heart<br />
of Detroit.<br />
Highlands Detroit<br />
Located on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center,<br />
Highlands opened in 2019. With a great view of the<br />
Detroit/Windsor skyline and a movie scene story to<br />
boot (George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez filmed a romantic<br />
bar scene here for the movie Out of Sight), it’s<br />
a great place to go on a date.<br />
Perched atop the Renaissance Center, Highlands<br />
Detroit offers couples a refined and elevated dining<br />
experience in a setting that overlooks the city’s skyline<br />
and the Detroit River. As Detroit’s only AAA Four<br />
Diamond restaurant, Highlands boasts an unparalleled<br />
ambiance, blending contemporary elegance<br />
with panoramic views that create an intimate and<br />
romantic atmosphere.<br />
The menu showcases a sophisticated blend of<br />
modern American cuisine with a focus on locally<br />
sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors. Couples<br />
can indulge in exquisitely prepared dishes, complemented<br />
by an extensive wine list and impeccable<br />
service. The combination of breathtaking vistas and<br />
culinary mastery at Highlands Detroit promises an<br />
unforgettable dining experience, perfect for celebrating<br />
special occasions or creating cherished memories<br />
on a date night.<br />
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it is a<br />
great place to start. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!<br />
In my first article published in October 2023, I<br />
wrote about dating as a Chaldean in America<br />
and discussed how dating has evolved from<br />
the village days until now. At the time, I was single<br />
and ready to use new methods offered by our<br />
community to find a suitable partner, like speed<br />
dating or personalized matchmaking. Less than<br />
a month after the article was published, however,<br />
I found that special person and committed<br />
myself to a relationship with her.<br />
“Spontaneous” means something sudden or<br />
undetermined. That is how my first encounter<br />
felt with Tammy. Up to that point, I believed that<br />
I would go on more speed dates, talk to more<br />
women, and eventually find someone compatible.<br />
Love, however, doesn’t follow a straight<br />
path. I’ve heard many cliches in the past, like,<br />
“When you stop looking for it, you will find<br />
her,” or, “Once you know, you’ll know.” At the<br />
time, I considered these sayings outdated. Maybe<br />
they were true at one point, but not in today’s<br />
world. I laugh now as I understand them in a<br />
much deeper way.<br />
How did I meet this special lady? Well, if<br />
you’re serious about God and you want to find<br />
a wife, the best place to look is at church. That’s<br />
where I met Tammy. A friend of mine was going<br />
to be ordained as a minister, so I visited his<br />
church and I happened to sit next to this wonderful<br />
woman. She caught my attention with<br />
her good looks and her methodical notetaking<br />
during the sermon. I knew then that I needed<br />
to meet her. My friend knew her and promised<br />
to introduce us. Weeks later, he hosted a large<br />
group to a game night at his house. I arrived,<br />
enjoyed casual conversation with Tammy, and<br />
we exchanged contact information. We started<br />
talking the next day and haven’t stopped since.<br />
Now, 3 months later, the spontaneity continues.<br />
Due to her line of work as a nail salon manager<br />
in West Bloomfield, she has a lot of Chaldean<br />
clients. I found out that Tammy already knew<br />
some of my aunts and has known one of my first<br />
cousins for nine years. Though she is not Chaldean,<br />
she was treated like family when I brought<br />
her around. The more time we spent together, the<br />
more we realized how many people in common we<br />
know. It feels like we already knew one another<br />
and were waiting to cross paths. Tammy spent 5<br />
years and I spent 7 years praying for the moment<br />
that God would bring us together. Though the time<br />
we spent praying felt long, it made us appreciate<br />
the relationship we have that much more.<br />
My only advice or word of encouragement<br />
would be this: Time spent looking for the right<br />
one will only make the spontaneity of love that<br />
much more enjoyable. Happy Valentines Day!<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 19
CHALDEAN KITCHEN<br />
Lord Elia in her kitchen<br />
with ingredients to<br />
bake a cake.<br />
Growing Up in Baghdad<br />
Lord Elia was born and raised in Baghdad.<br />
She lived in the Iraqi capital until<br />
1996 when she immigrated to America<br />
with her family at the age of 16.<br />
Lord grew up in a traditional home,<br />
where her mother, Bernadette, kept the<br />
home and her father, Ameer, earned a<br />
living. Lord has many fond memories of<br />
her mother’s excellent cooking. “Mom<br />
could make any dish you can imagine,”<br />
she said proudly. However, Lord also<br />
recalls that, “Mother was a perfectionist<br />
and had one rule: My brother and I<br />
were to stay out of the kitchen while<br />
she cooked. As a result, she cooked and<br />
prepared all the meals by herself.” The<br />
kitchen was Bernadette’s domain.<br />
While Bernadette kept busy preparing<br />
traditional dishes, desserts,<br />
yogurt and cheeses for her family,<br />
she tasked her children with just one<br />
responsibility: School work. Lord<br />
recalls her mother asking that she<br />
and her brother, Bashar, do well in<br />
school and use their time for studying,<br />
so they can earn top grades.<br />
Because Bernadette did not involve<br />
her children in the cooking process,<br />
Lord never had the opportunity to work<br />
side by side with her mother in the<br />
kitchen or to cook together. This was<br />
the norm for Lord during her formative<br />
years and she did not object to the rules<br />
set forth by her mother. Instead, Lord<br />
focused on her schoolwork and is now<br />
a pharmacist, married with two children,<br />
with a home of her own to keep.<br />
Iraqi Traditional Wedding Cake<br />
A recipe for romance, just in time for Valentine’s Day<br />
BY Z.Z. DAWOD<br />
If you have ever attended a wedding<br />
in Baghdad, chances are you were<br />
served a particular cake which has<br />
been popular at Chaldean weddings<br />
since at least the 1950s. If you’re old<br />
enough to remember those days, you<br />
may even recall Baghdad Tower Bakery<br />
(<br />
), a specialty<br />
shop that became well-known for<br />
making this cake.<br />
These days, alcohol is included in<br />
many recipes — both with main dishes<br />
and desserts — but this was not the<br />
case back then: This cake recipe was<br />
considered “fancy” by many because<br />
it contained liquor. Adding red wine,<br />
brandy or whiskey to a cake recipe was<br />
reserved only for the most special of occasions.<br />
With its rich taste and dense<br />
texture, it’s possible that this cake became<br />
a popular choice because dinner<br />
was generally not a part of wedding<br />
celebrations in those times.<br />
For couples who lived in a big city<br />
such as Baghdad, this would have been<br />
the cake of choice for a major event.<br />
This may partially have been the case<br />
thanks to the availability of modern ovens<br />
in densely populated areas. Village<br />
life was different: Most homes in places<br />
like Alqosh or Dohuk, were equipped<br />
with a tanoor, the traditional clay oven<br />
used for baking cookies and breads.<br />
Hana and Sulaiman Yaqo at their<br />
wedding in 1978. Every layer of the<br />
wedding cake was real.<br />
This “wedding cake” recipe is<br />
unique because raisins and walnuts<br />
are marinated in alcohol prior to baking.<br />
This is done a day or two before<br />
any baking takes place and it is the liquor-infused<br />
raisins and walnuts that<br />
give this cake its unique flavor.<br />
The recipe presented here is a<br />
“family-friendly” version developed<br />
by Lord Elia, a West Bloomfieldbased<br />
entrepreneur and Instagram<br />
personality. The liquor is substituted<br />
with date syrup and orange juice, a<br />
variation on the original recipe. If you<br />
PHOTO COURTESY HANA YAQO<br />
are planning an adult-only event, feel<br />
free to add your choice of liquor for<br />
an even more intense aroma. On the<br />
day I visited Lord’s home kitchen, she<br />
prepared the alcohol-free version and<br />
it was absolutely divine.<br />
PHOTOS BY ALEX LUMELSKY<br />
Necessity Breeds Entrepreneurship<br />
While Lord worked long 14-hour shifts<br />
as a pharmacist, her mother continued<br />
to command the kitchen, assisting<br />
with meal preparation for her<br />
daughter’s family. As the years passed<br />
by, Bernadette became a critical part<br />
of the family, preparing a wide range<br />
of traditional dishes, just as she had<br />
done in previous decades.<br />
When Bernadette passed away unexpectedly,<br />
she left a great void and<br />
Lord’s father, Ameer, stepped in help<br />
out as much as he could. However,<br />
it was clear that, if Lord wanted her<br />
children to gr0w up eating traditional<br />
Chaldean cuisine as she did, she<br />
would need to learn how to prepare<br />
these dishes herself.<br />
That’s when Lord remembered<br />
that her mother, ever the perfectionist,<br />
kept meticulously organized notes for<br />
an array of recipes all those years ago.<br />
Browsing through her mother’s collection,<br />
Lord found a gold mine of sources<br />
to start from, including a nice collection<br />
of special recipes that were given to her<br />
mom by friends and family members.<br />
As Lord fine-tuned her new craft,<br />
she turned to Instagram to share what<br />
she made and to connect with other<br />
like-minded people also learning to<br />
prepare traditional Chaldean meals.<br />
This turned out to be a brilliant move<br />
as she began to receive feedback on her<br />
questions, lots of good ideas, and inspiration<br />
to get creative with her baking<br />
and decorating efforts.<br />
As Lord’s Instagram channel grew<br />
in popularity, people began to ask<br />
for recipes, instructions and advice.<br />
Eventually, the many requests sparked<br />
an idea to start a business, preparing<br />
premium sweets for special occasions.<br />
A Date with Destiny<br />
Determined to put her modern twist<br />
on a dessert with deep traditional ties,<br />
20 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
Lord went in search of an offering with<br />
some cultural relevance. After much<br />
reflection, research and experimentation,<br />
she eventually settled on one of<br />
the most traditional ingredients from<br />
the Middle East the much beloved date.<br />
Dates are one of the oldest known<br />
fruit crops and they have been cultivated<br />
in North Africa and the Middle<br />
East for at least 5,000 years, according<br />
to Domestication of Plants in the Old<br />
World (Oxford University Press).<br />
Since dates are also an integral<br />
part of Chaldean culture and cuisine,<br />
Lord’s idea was an easy sell and business<br />
is now booming.<br />
RECIPE<br />
Iraqi<br />
Traditional<br />
Wedding<br />
Cake<br />
Recipe shared by Lord Elia<br />
Dry Ingredients<br />
3.5 cups flour<br />
2 teaspoons cocoa powder<br />
2 tablespoons ground cardamom<br />
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon ground all spice<br />
1 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
1 tablespoon starch<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 cup chopped walnuts<br />
1/2 cup raisins<br />
Grated peel of 1 orange<br />
1/2 cup white sugar<br />
1/4 cup dark brown sugar<br />
Wet Ingredients<br />
5 large eggs<br />
1 cup oil<br />
1/4 cup melted butter<br />
3/4 cups milk<br />
1 cup orange juice<br />
2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1/4 cup date molasses<br />
Instructions<br />
Mix raisins and chopped walnuts<br />
together in a deep bowl, add the orange<br />
juice and date molasses, cover<br />
and set in refrigerator for two hours.<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
Grease and flour a baking pan. Sift<br />
together flour, spices, salt, baking<br />
powder, cocoa powder, baking soda<br />
and starch. Set aside.<br />
Beat 5 large eggs with sugar<br />
(white and brown) until it forms<br />
a frothy mixture. Add oil, butter,<br />
milk, vanilla and orange peel. Beat<br />
mixture at medium speed for about<br />
two minutes. Gradually add the flour<br />
mix in two batches, beat for about 2<br />
minutes; the cake batter should start<br />
to thicken.<br />
Strain the walnuts and raisins<br />
mix and save 1/2 cup of the marinade<br />
mixture. Add the 1/2 cup of marinade<br />
to cake batter and mix a little, then<br />
add the strained walnut raisins mix<br />
and just fold them in the cake batter<br />
a little without using the mixer.<br />
Pour cake mixture into your baking<br />
pan and bake in oven for 50 to 55<br />
minutes. Allow cake to cool completely<br />
before serving. Enjoy!<br />
If You Bake It, You Can Make It<br />
With Valentine’s Day around the corner,<br />
we encourage couples to explore Lord’s<br />
traditional cake recipe. Go ahead, make a<br />
special night of it and don’t be shy about<br />
adding a bit of brandy to the mix. Baking<br />
together as a way to celebrate and recall<br />
Chaldean traditions from times past is<br />
a wonderful way to bring old and new<br />
traditions together. Although the marinating<br />
requires some advance planning,<br />
this recipe is super-easy to make and<br />
bake just in time for your special someone<br />
on Valentine’s Day!<br />
Send photos of the cake you and<br />
your special someone baked to<br />
edit@chaldeannews.com. If you have<br />
cherished wedding photos from days<br />
gone by, send those in as well and<br />
we will publish them on our website<br />
throughout the month of February.<br />
وصفة<br />
كيكه عراقيه<br />
مخمره او كيكه<br />
االعراس العراقيه<br />
لورد ايليا بيش<br />
املواد الجافه<br />
٣ و نصف كوب طحني<br />
٢ ملعقه كوب كاكاو<br />
٢ ملعقه اكل هيل<br />
٢/١ ملعقه كوب قرفه<br />
١ ملعقه كوب كبابة<br />
١ ملعقة كوب جوزة الطيب<br />
١ ملعقه طعام نشا<br />
٤/١ ملعقه كوب ملح<br />
٢ ملعقه كوب بيكنغ باودر<br />
٢/١ ملعقة كوب بيكاربونات الصودا<br />
١ كوب جوز مكرس<br />
٢/١ كوب كشمش<br />
برش قرش برتقاله<br />
١ كوب سكر ابيض<br />
٢/١ كوب سكر اسمر<br />
املواد السائله<br />
٥ بيض<br />
١ كوب زيت<br />
٤/١ كوب زبد مذاب<br />
٤/٣ كوب حليب سائل<br />
١ كوب عصري برتقال<br />
٢ ملعقه كوب فانيال<br />
٤/١ كوب دبس التمر<br />
طريقه العمل<br />
١.يخلط الكشمش و الجوز املكرس و ينقع مع كوب<br />
من عصري الربتقال و يخلط معه سائل دبس التمر و<br />
يرتك الخليط يف الثالجه ملده ال تقل عن ساعتني ليتخمر.<br />
٢. يشغل الفرن عىل حراره ٣٥٠ درجه فهرنهايت<br />
٣. يجهز قالب الكيك بدهنه بل زيت و الطحني و<br />
يرتك جانبا.<br />
٤. تخلط و تنخل كل املواد الجافه معا و هي<br />
الطحني و البهارات املتنوعه و امللح و البيكنج باودر<br />
و بيكاربونات الصودا و الكاكاو و النشا و ترتك<br />
جانبآ.<br />
٥. يف إناء مختلف نخلط البيض مع السكر األبيض و<br />
األسمر و يرضب جيدا حتى يصبح الخليط به رغوه<br />
٦. نضيف الزيت و الزبد و الفانيليا و<br />
الحليب و قرش الربتقال إىل خليط البيض و السكر و<br />
يرضب ملده دقيقه او دقيقتني .<br />
٧. نضيف مزيج الدقيق تدريجيا عىل مرحلتني و<br />
يرضب املزيج جيدا حتى يختلط ملده دقيقتني.<br />
٨. يصفى منقوع الكشمش و الجوز من السائل<br />
و يضاف ٢/١ كوب من هذا السائل إىل عجينه<br />
الكيكه أعاله .<br />
٩. يضاف خليط الكشمش و الجوز إىل عجينه<br />
الكيك و يخلط يدويا<br />
١٠. يقلب خليط الكيك يف قالب الكيك املدهون و<br />
يخبز يف الفرن ملده بني ٥٠ إىل ٥٥ دقيقه .<br />
١١. ترتك الكيكه لتربد متاما بعد ما تخرج من الفرن<br />
قبل تقطيعها<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 21
FEATURE<br />
IMAGE COURTESY WIKIMEDIA<br />
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<br />
(highlighted). Traditions of trade and commerce run deep in the Chaldean community. Paths marked in red represent other caravan routes.<br />
From Mesopotamia to the Motor City<br />
How pioneering Chaldeans created a community in Detroit<br />
BY CAL ABBO<br />
Part II<br />
Silk Road Roots<br />
Ancient Mesopotamia was home to<br />
many great civilizations over different<br />
time periods. Because of the people<br />
and their inventions, the area is famous<br />
for many things, even as history<br />
is taught today, and is credited with the<br />
birth of society and cities. Writing, agriculture,<br />
laws, math, astronomy, citystates,<br />
architecture, and many more<br />
aspects of modern-day society that we<br />
take for granted originated in this area<br />
and within these communities.<br />
Central to almost all these components<br />
are trade and commerce, responsible<br />
for furnishing these cultural<br />
elements around the world and developing<br />
them further. Often, Mesopotamia<br />
found itself playing a critical role<br />
connecting the Far East, the Middle<br />
East, and parts of Europe.<br />
Early trade in these societies, according<br />
to the World History Encyclopedia,<br />
involved basic goods like<br />
ceramics, grain, leather, oils, and textiles.<br />
Trade was conducted initially between<br />
city-states and in the beginning,<br />
these areas did not have the capacity<br />
or logistics to travel to other civilizations,<br />
many of which were too simple<br />
to be called such.<br />
Archaeologists discovered evidence<br />
that as humankind developed,<br />
ancient cities like Eridu, Ur, Uruk, and<br />
Nippur came into contact and experienced<br />
economic exchange with the Indus<br />
Valley civilization in modern-day<br />
west India around 7,000 years ago. As<br />
a result of this contact, Mesopotamia’s<br />
influence, as well as their tangible<br />
goods, may have reached as far as the<br />
Yellow River civilization in modernday<br />
China.<br />
When it began, this trade network<br />
would be traveled mostly on foot.<br />
Sometimes, these people were lucky<br />
enough to have pack animals to carry<br />
goods and supplies. A journey of this<br />
magnitude could take months or years<br />
to complete and likely involved other<br />
trade mediators, nomadic or settled,<br />
between the two civilizations.<br />
Early trade generated a critical<br />
moment in world history. It spurred<br />
economic development and led to<br />
the creation of many fundamental<br />
technologies. Trade of all kinds led to<br />
enhanced record-keeping and the development<br />
of cuneiform, the earliestknown<br />
writing in human history and<br />
perhaps the strongest comparative<br />
advantage leading to Mesopotamia’s<br />
wealth and dominance.<br />
Later, writing technology would<br />
encompass the full scope of spoken<br />
language, allowing for exponentially<br />
greater understanding of ancient societies<br />
as we uncover the past and chart<br />
the development of literature.<br />
From these records, historians discovered<br />
the existence of glass and textile<br />
factories in Mesopotamia that employed<br />
thousands of people. The economies of<br />
city-states relied on these trade routes<br />
for goods not available in their region<br />
and surplus grain that encouraged exponential<br />
population growth.<br />
Long-distance trade gradually increased<br />
in volume over the centuries.<br />
This reality enhanced the development<br />
of animal domestication, leading<br />
to increased use, breeding, and expertise<br />
surrounding donkeys, camels,<br />
and horses. Eventually, inventors realized<br />
the usefulness of a circular wheel<br />
pulling platforms of goods to and from<br />
different places. It’s an appropriate coincidence,<br />
then, that many Chaldeans<br />
in modern times chose to move to the<br />
Motor City, which can trace its technological<br />
history directly to the invention<br />
of the wheel and supply carriage.<br />
Roads exploded in popularity.<br />
Outposts and settlements were added<br />
along trade routes and on paths to major<br />
cities. City-states and empires raised<br />
armies to defend these lucrative trade<br />
routes from highway robbers. As trade<br />
and civilization continued to develop,<br />
more and more individuals became involved<br />
in the industry and helped disperse<br />
goods once they arrived at their<br />
destination. Networking, merchanting,<br />
and warehousing grew alongside, and<br />
MESOPOTAMIA TO MICHIGAN<br />
continued on page 24<br />
22 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
FOLLOW THE SILK ROAD<br />
From Mesopotamia<br />
to Michigan<br />
OUR DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS<br />
JACOB BACALL<br />
KARAM BAHNAM<br />
MIKE DENHA<br />
JEFF DENHA<br />
PLUS, A SURPRISE GUEST!<br />
OPENING COMMENTS<br />
ADHID MIRI, PhD<br />
Cultural & History Writer, Chaldean News<br />
MODERATED BY<br />
SARAH KITTLE<br />
Editor-in-Chief, Chaldean News<br />
THURSDAY,<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> 29, <strong>2024</strong><br />
6:30 PM<br />
SHENANDOAH<br />
COUNTRY CLUB<br />
5600 WALNUT LAKE ROAD<br />
WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323<br />
Emerging from an ancient culture and<br />
developing over centuries — at the<br />
crossroads of the “silk road” and other<br />
trade routes between East Asia, the<br />
Middle East and Europe — Chaldeans<br />
brought traditions of trade to Michigan,<br />
when they first began to settle in the<br />
Detroit area a century ago.<br />
Part of a year-long initiative to share<br />
the Chaldean Story, this forum will<br />
explore the roots of the Chaldean<br />
entrepreneurial spirit. The event<br />
will feature a distinguished panel of<br />
entrepreneurs who will share personal<br />
stories about the generational influence<br />
on their own success. Adhid Miri, PhD<br />
will provide a historical context and<br />
Chaldean News Editor in Chief,<br />
Sarah Kittle will moderate the event.<br />
There is no cost to attend, please register at<br />
chaldeannews.com/silkroad<br />
Everyone who registers in advance will<br />
be entered into a drawing to win a limited<br />
edition “Made in Nineveh” gift box.<br />
This event is made possible with generous support from<br />
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 23
MESOPOTAMIA TO MICHIGAN<br />
continued from page 22<br />
thousands of years of development and<br />
history informed the future of these<br />
people-groups.<br />
After this initial age of trade and<br />
civilizational development, even as<br />
the major Mesopotamian powers fell,<br />
trade routes prevailed. Some of the<br />
most important routes in history relied<br />
on the persistence and stability of the<br />
Mesopotamian region even after its<br />
golden age came and went. The Silk<br />
Road passed directly through Babylon<br />
and Baghdad to follow the mighty Tigris<br />
River. The Incense Route stretched<br />
south along the Arabian Peninsula<br />
and the Royal Road had stops in modern-day<br />
northern Iraq. These trails and<br />
others shaped the lives, knowledge,<br />
economy, and daily practices of<br />
Chaldeans’ ancient ancestors.<br />
Once Islam took hold and<br />
gained power in the region,<br />
centuries after the dawn of<br />
Christianity and the conversion<br />
of people living in the Middle<br />
East, Muslim rulers often ostracized<br />
the remaining Christians<br />
from larger society. Some examples<br />
of systemic persecution<br />
involved levying special taxes<br />
against Christians, preventing<br />
them from obtaining positions<br />
in government, requiring<br />
certain dress codes, restricting<br />
property ownership, limiting<br />
the number of churches and<br />
simplifying their architecture, depriving<br />
them representation in court,<br />
asserting social discrimination, and<br />
even restricting travel.<br />
One specific aspect of Islam helped<br />
shape the role of Christians in the Middle<br />
East. The Quran bans its followers<br />
from consuming alcohol. In many<br />
places, this was and still is enforced<br />
legally. More importantly, though, the<br />
Quran bans Muslims from selling alcohol.<br />
This left a niche for the region’s<br />
Christians to fill. Many Christians that<br />
lived in Muslim societies served alcohol<br />
through restaurants and stores to<br />
the general population — including<br />
Muslims who disregarded the Quran’s<br />
rules, passing down the tradition<br />
through generations, and building experience<br />
in the service industry.<br />
All these historical factors came<br />
into play when the community felt<br />
compelled to leave their homeland of<br />
thousands of years. War, genocide,<br />
persecution, and a lack of economic<br />
prospects resulting from village life motivated<br />
Chaldeans to find a new home.<br />
The process took time, but over the past<br />
century, the Chaldean community in<br />
Detroit now numbers close to 200,000<br />
people, according to recent data.<br />
After learning about the opportunities<br />
available to immigrants in Detroit,<br />
almost all related to the auto industry,<br />
a few brave Chaldeans in villages or urban<br />
areas decided to try it out for themselves.<br />
Some worked for the burgeoning<br />
Ford Motor Company, like John Joseph,<br />
“Man Who Was Born in Region of ‘Garden<br />
of Eden’” according to a 1915 issue<br />
of the Sunday Chronicle, whose story<br />
lives on in the newspaper archives. This<br />
new industry offered direct employment<br />
opportunities, but Chaldeans aspired<br />
to more and had more needs than<br />
the average American, ultimately wanting<br />
to bring their families and friends to<br />
the land of opportunity.<br />
Market Square (left) and Plum Market (right) offer an impressive array of fresh and prepared foods.<br />
CHALDEAN<br />
STORY<br />
Beyond the Assembly Line<br />
Some decades before this, the nation<br />
experienced plenty of periods like the<br />
one Detroit was going through. The<br />
most appropriate example in this case<br />
is the California Gold Rush. Over a period<br />
of seven years, nearly 300,000<br />
people migrated west to find work opportunities<br />
and gold.<br />
Overall, the area developed rapidly<br />
and needed to accommodate the<br />
exponential growth of people. The<br />
most consistently successful people<br />
who moved west were not those who<br />
searched for gold themselves, but the<br />
newcomers who were wise enough to<br />
realize and act upon the opportunities<br />
to provide services like saloons,<br />
supply stores, restaurants, and housing<br />
to the community there.<br />
In this style, Chaldeans established<br />
themselves in Detroit, moving on from<br />
basic factory work into entrepreneurial<br />
territory and imagination. As many<br />
Chaldeans were farmers before their<br />
transition to America, they began with<br />
grocery services and stalls at farmers<br />
markets. Eventually, these developed<br />
into full-fledged stores where they<br />
could employ and teach new Chaldeans<br />
who arrived from Iraq. Detroit<br />
was forever changed by the Chaldeans<br />
who purchased and developed highquality<br />
stores in the area.<br />
Over time, some Chaldeans found<br />
a sense of responsibility to the upstart<br />
community and helped establish<br />
a pipeline for Chaldeans to come<br />
to Michigan, train as store operators,<br />
and eventually become owners and<br />
begin contributing to the economy.<br />
Specific men, like Mike George,<br />
whose legacy lives on in the hearts of<br />
all the Chaldean families he helped<br />
establish, financed business loans for<br />
new immigrant families. Even today,<br />
a loan fund in his name lives at the<br />
Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
and helps immigrants attain a vehicle<br />
for a low interest rate.<br />
In 1962, the Chaldean community<br />
owned around 120 stores in Detroit<br />
and its metro area. By the 1990s,<br />
Chaldeans owned 1,500 stores. In<br />
This report is made possible with generous support from<br />
Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative.<br />
many ways, the huge gamble paid off<br />
for the Chaldean community as they<br />
prospered with their new economic<br />
engine. Their status as immigrants<br />
whose native tongue was far from<br />
common in Detroit was not dissimilar<br />
to their status in the homeland,<br />
separated linguistically from Arabic<br />
speakers, religiously from Muslims,<br />
and culturally from city-dwellers.<br />
Trade continued to support and uplift<br />
the community even as it had in ancient<br />
times.<br />
Modern-day grocery stores have<br />
evolved from the smaller stores that<br />
once dotted Detroit’s landscape. While<br />
those still exist in the form of gas stations<br />
and liquor stores, in tandem with<br />
suburbanization, food and grocery<br />
have become a more centralized endeavor<br />
with larger and fewer stores.<br />
Plum Market and Market Square<br />
are two shining examples of the modern<br />
Chaldean grocery store. They offer<br />
high-end food items and serve<br />
hot, prepared food for their customers.<br />
This is a sign of the Chaldean<br />
entrepreneurial spirit, the attitude<br />
that brought the community this far.<br />
Since the establishment of community<br />
stores, Chaldeans have expanded<br />
their business into many different facets<br />
of life and encouraged their children<br />
to join the professions.<br />
Still now, as Chaldeans have<br />
moved away from the storied lands<br />
that are so well-documented in history<br />
books, many traditions stay with<br />
them. In Detroit, the Chaldean community<br />
has become famous for servicing<br />
all kinds of stores and selling<br />
staples like gasoline, alcohol, and basic<br />
food services. In fact, Chaldeans<br />
leveraged these historical skills to<br />
establish their families and peers in a<br />
new society while providing an essential<br />
service to its new community.<br />
24 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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WEDNESDAY, <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> 28 <strong>2024</strong> | 2:00PM - 4:00PM<br />
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401K with company match<br />
Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
586-722-7253<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 25
FEATURE<br />
Progress Report<br />
The Chaldean Community Center takes shape<br />
BY CAL ABBO<br />
Last year, the Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
(CCF) and the Chaldean American Chamber of<br />
Commerce (CACC) announced plans to renovate<br />
The Corners, a former school building at Walnut<br />
Lake and Inkster Roads. The newly acquired property<br />
in West Bloomfield will serve as the headquarters for<br />
the CACC and will also house other affiliated organizations.<br />
Including the acquisition of the property and<br />
the planned renovations, the project boasts a total<br />
price tag of around $15 million. The new center will<br />
be funded by a combination of state grants and as a<br />
charitable campaign.<br />
This isn’t the CCF’s first rodeo with building. Right<br />
now, after years of planning, a massive affordable<br />
housing development is being constructed in Sterling<br />
Heights, and the CCF plans to renovate parts of<br />
its Sterling Heights headquarters. Even more affordable<br />
housing projects are being discussed internally.<br />
Saroki Architecture, led by renowned architect<br />
Victor Saroki, was chosen to design and architect<br />
the renovations for the new headquarters. The firm<br />
has designed dozens of commercial and residential<br />
constructions in the metro Detroit area and is wellknown<br />
in the Chaldean community for their work on<br />
projects like Shenandoah Country Club, several Plum<br />
Markets, and many restaurants.<br />
The CCF awarded the work to Jonna Construction,<br />
which began interior demolition in late 2023.<br />
Like Saroki Architecture, Jonna Construction is<br />
well-known in the Chaldean community for their<br />
diligent planning and quality work. The firm has<br />
constructed and renovated many corporate largescale<br />
developments as well as community cornerstones<br />
like Shenandoah Country Club and the grotto<br />
at St. Thomas Chaldean Church.<br />
The CACC plans to move its headquarters into a<br />
portion of the building by the end of this year. The<br />
full-scale grand opening of the new Chaldean Community<br />
Center is planned for next year. With more<br />
than 40,000 square feet to accommodate, the facility<br />
will include many different features for the Chaldean<br />
community to enjoy and explore.<br />
While the CCF has a large and well-developed<br />
presence in Macomb County through its Sterling<br />
Heights location, it will attempt to match that effort<br />
in Oakland County through its project in West Bloomfield.<br />
The communities, however, have different demographics<br />
and different needs, which will inform<br />
the new location’s specific offerings.<br />
On average, Chaldean residents in Macomb County<br />
are newer to the United States, and their needs<br />
tend to focus on acculturation to American society<br />
through things like legal services, job placement, and<br />
classroom instruction. On the other hand, Chaldean<br />
families in Oakland County have likely been in the<br />
U.S. for a generation or two, and their needs center<br />
on business services and cultural preservation.<br />
TV Studio, Radio Station,<br />
and Demonstration Kitchen<br />
After acquiring the Chaldean News several years ago,<br />
the CCF expanded the publication to include plenty<br />
of digital offerings including podcasting and video<br />
reporting. While these initiatives have shown promise,<br />
it’s difficult to launch digital deliverables without<br />
a studio or equipment. A new studio, set up with<br />
26 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
The future site of the Chaldean Community Center.<br />
both TV and radio for podcasts, will rectify the problem<br />
and provide the necessary support to take the<br />
Chaldean News to the next level. The radio station<br />
will also become the new base and operating headquarters<br />
for the Chaldean Voice, a popular weekly<br />
program that currently airs on AM radio.<br />
Finally, the CCF will build a full-scale demonstration<br />
kitchen, including space for a live audience. This<br />
will help its mission to preserve and share Chaldean<br />
recipes and techniques, making it easy for anyone to<br />
learn our culinary traditions.<br />
The Chaldean Community Center will also include<br />
a 90-seat theater fit for a variety of programming like<br />
movie screenings from the CCC, large presentations,<br />
and community town hall meetings.<br />
Lobby, Outdoor Seating,<br />
and Gymnasium<br />
The CCF is building an extensive 2,000 square foot<br />
lobby area for the new campus and will include a<br />
small outdoor area with tables and chairs. This will<br />
Business Incubator<br />
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce<br />
launched its first venture capital fund in 2020 with<br />
an aim to raise money from its members. Ark Angel<br />
Fund (AAF) vetted hundreds of companies and invested<br />
in seven of them, ranging from an up-andcoming<br />
shoe brand that uses recycled materials to a<br />
telehealth company that uses Virtual Reality headsets<br />
to treat mental health issues. In addition, the<br />
Fund has launched its second iteration, AAFII, with<br />
an investment goal of $2.5 million.<br />
The CACC has ambitious plans to provide basic<br />
business services to Chaldean startups as well as companies<br />
in the existing portfolio. The business incubator<br />
will include computers, software, work spaces for startups<br />
and space for existing portfolio companies to work<br />
as well.<br />
With more than 40,000 square feet to accommodate,<br />
the facility will include many different features for the<br />
Chaldean community to enjoy and explore.<br />
Chaldean Cultural Center, Bishop Ibrahim<br />
Library, and Theater<br />
The Chaldean Cultural Center (CCC) is currently located<br />
inside Shenandoah Country Club, but efforts<br />
are underway to move it to the new facility once complete.<br />
The unique museum houses plenty of exhibits,<br />
records, and archives about Chaldeans from ancient<br />
times until now. At the new Chaldean Community<br />
Center, the allotted area for the CCC is more than<br />
twice its current size. Most of the items currently displayed<br />
in the museum will be moved to the new location,<br />
but the Chaldean Cultural Center is planning a<br />
redesign, including additional galleries and new exhibits<br />
to accommodate the new space.<br />
Coupled with the Chaldean Cultural Center’s<br />
move, the addition of the Bishop Ibrahim Library will<br />
make the new center a hub for culture and history.<br />
The library will contain original manuscripts, some<br />
dating back to the first century, and will provide a<br />
quiet place to study and conduct research.<br />
allow the CACC and all the affiliated organizations to<br />
better serve its members by hosting events in their<br />
own space.<br />
When it was still functioning, The Corners had a<br />
gymnasium that has since fallen into disrepair. The<br />
CCF will renovate and expand it to include a larger<br />
basketball court and increased functionality. The<br />
CCF plans to host programs for seniors and youth to<br />
be able to stay active as well as offering another event<br />
space in addition to the lobby.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 27
LIFE SKILLS<br />
Money Matters<br />
Language, cultural barriers,<br />
and predators present perils<br />
for immigrants<br />
BY PAUL NATINSKY<br />
Coming to a new country can be<br />
daunting. A new language. An<br />
unfamiliar culture. Everything<br />
is different. On top of all that, add a set<br />
of rules, regulations, and customs regarding<br />
finances that are strange and<br />
confusing.<br />
There are many financial perils<br />
facing those new to life in the United<br />
States, particularly if immigration<br />
takes place under duress. Moving<br />
money safely from one country to another,<br />
establishing a bank account, securing<br />
credit, understanding the terms<br />
and policies of loans, credit cards,<br />
leases, and other contracts are just the<br />
tip of the iceberg when getting financially<br />
established in a new country.<br />
An article on the Consumer<br />
Financial Protection Bureau’s website<br />
(consumerfinance.gov) identifies a few<br />
of the obstacles to a smooth transition<br />
that immigrants face. The Bureau is a<br />
U.S. government website containing<br />
resources on financial issues.<br />
One of the difficulties immigrants<br />
encounter, according to the Bureau, is<br />
access to account and banking services<br />
due to a person’s immigration status,<br />
even in the presence of good credit<br />
scores and other documents that demonstrate<br />
ability to pay.<br />
Language is another strong barrier<br />
to a smooth financial transition<br />
for many immigrants, denying them<br />
“fair and competitive access to financial<br />
services and products,” according<br />
to CFPB. The Bureau further points out<br />
that the lack of “in-language communication”<br />
is often not available, hobbling<br />
availability of many services to<br />
immigrants and inhibiting their ability<br />
to access services, understand terms<br />
and conditions, and resolve disputes.<br />
The CFPB points out that immigrants<br />
are vulnerable to “predatory actors,”<br />
including service providers who<br />
charge exorbitant fees and mislead immigrant<br />
consumers with in-language<br />
marketing exploiting comfortable cultural<br />
norms and incorporating easyto-use<br />
products and convenient access.<br />
Often the terms of loans awarded<br />
through these portals are predatory,<br />
featuring unfavorable conditions and<br />
interest rates.<br />
With these dangers in mind, there<br />
are resources and practices to help<br />
new immigrants become financially<br />
established in the United States.<br />
Remitly (remitly.com), a financial<br />
services company for immigrants, outlines<br />
a number of financial strategies<br />
available to newcomers.<br />
Planning for expenses six months<br />
in advance, starting off banking with<br />
a bank in your home country using<br />
international branches, learning how<br />
credit and credit cards work, and creating<br />
a budget and emergency fund<br />
are among the suggestions Remitly<br />
makes for new immigrants.<br />
Next Steps<br />
Outside of accommodating language<br />
and cultural differences and working<br />
to avoid being taken advantage of by<br />
predatory companies and unscrupulous<br />
actors, much of the financial<br />
planning advice directed toward immigrants<br />
follows the conventional<br />
wisdom offered by financial planners<br />
to their clients.<br />
“The first thing I always tell investors<br />
is that if you want to build wealth<br />
you have to spend less than you earn,”<br />
says Michael Acho of Lincoln Financial<br />
Advisors. He likens acquiring<br />
wealth to losing weight—eat less than<br />
you burn.<br />
So, what are the first steps to getting<br />
to this healthy formula?<br />
Stephen Yono, CFP, CPA, says that<br />
many people are motivated to emigrate<br />
to the United States by a desire to<br />
achieve financial stability. He says the<br />
first step should be to build a budget.<br />
“This can be difficult early on, especially<br />
if income and expenses are<br />
unpredictable. Emergency savings<br />
should also be a consideration. Once<br />
those are established, financial goals<br />
should be considered such as planning<br />
for retirement, education savings,<br />
and saving for major purchases.”<br />
Acho recommends targeting a<br />
percentage of income for savings, as<br />
much as a person can afford and still<br />
pay “mandatory” bills such as mortgage<br />
or rent and car payment.<br />
“The first thing you want to do is<br />
have money in the bank —an emergency<br />
fund,” says Acho. “There is<br />
little or no interest on these accounts,<br />
but it gives you three or six months of<br />
income in case you lose your job.” He<br />
says the exact amount is flexible and<br />
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varies from person to person based on<br />
how soon a person thinks it will take to<br />
replace that income.<br />
“Planning for the unexpected,<br />
such as being laid off or unable to<br />
work, is a crucial component of the financial<br />
planning process. This is why I<br />
want my clients to maintain a cushion<br />
of at least six months’ worth of living<br />
expenses,” says Yono. “Health is also<br />
a major component of the financial<br />
planning process. Life insurance and<br />
disability insurance can protect a<br />
family in the event the breadwinner<br />
passes or is incapacitated. There is no<br />
one size fits all product here, so it’s<br />
important to speak with a reputable<br />
financial professional to determine<br />
what suits your needs.”<br />
28 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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If You Have Money,<br />
Hire a Professional<br />
If it sounds like a person might need<br />
some help with these decisions—and<br />
with where to invest any extra money—that’s<br />
right. But who should a<br />
person with little financial experience<br />
talk to?<br />
“Whether it’s an attorney, financial<br />
planner, CPA, bank, or insurance<br />
agent, an individual should ask the<br />
right questions to know what services<br />
are provided by that professional and<br />
how that professional is compensated,”<br />
says Yono.<br />
“Also, it’s important to perform<br />
your own research to ensure that a recommendation<br />
is suitable for you. For<br />
example, some life insurance vehicles<br />
and annuities are high commission<br />
products that may not be suitable for<br />
everyone,” he added.<br />
Once you come into contact with<br />
one competent, established professional,<br />
that person can be an ally in<br />
finding others.<br />
“If a client has a need beyond the<br />
scope of a professional’s expertise, the<br />
professional will typically have a network<br />
of other professionals to recommend,”<br />
says Yono. “I have a few CPAs<br />
and estate planning attorneys within<br />
my network that I rely on to provide<br />
my clients with quality service that are<br />
outside the scope of what I can offer.”<br />
Acho recommends finding trustworthy<br />
specialists and letting them do<br />
their jobs. He says he often jokes with<br />
his clients: “I don’t fix my own car; I<br />
don’t cut my own grass. This is what I<br />
do. So if I need somebody to come do<br />
some other stuff for me I’m willing to<br />
pay money to have somebody do that.”<br />
Once a person’s immediate needs<br />
are planned for and a plan is in place<br />
for the future, there remains the issue<br />
of what happens after you are gone.<br />
“Almost everyone needs some form<br />
of estate planning,” says Yono. “A welldesigned<br />
plan preserves the value of<br />
your assets and reduces unnecessary<br />
taxes and expenses, all while ensuring<br />
your heirs receive what you intended<br />
them to receive.”<br />
According to Yono, “These are<br />
some key life events that may warrant<br />
engaging an estate planning attorney:<br />
home ownership, marriage and remarriage,<br />
having children, receiving an<br />
inheritance, divorce, or even extensive<br />
travel plans may facilitate the need<br />
to engage an estate planning professional.”<br />
The journey of financial planning<br />
starts out simple but gets more complicated<br />
as a person’s life expands.<br />
Property, family, retirement and estate<br />
planning make financial planning a<br />
bit like a snowball rolling downhill,<br />
gaining size as it goes. Having a plan<br />
and the right people in place to help<br />
makes it more manageable.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 29
ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE<br />
That’s Amore<br />
Tania’s looks to expand its ‘stuffed pizza’ footprint<br />
BY PAUL NATINSKY<br />
Above: Tania’s famous stuffed pizza.<br />
Right: Amos Sheena with parents Muntaha and Ihsan.<br />
Tania’s Pizza has long been an<br />
iconic Royal Oak institution.<br />
Nestled in an unassuming little<br />
strip mall behind a Sunoco station at<br />
the corner of 13 Mile Road and Crooks,<br />
Tania’s has been dishing out its signature<br />
stuffed pizza since 1987.<br />
The then-beer and wine shop began<br />
feeding hungry Kimball High<br />
School (now Royal Oak High School)<br />
students during their lunchbreak and<br />
after school, then the high schoolers’<br />
families on weekends and eventually<br />
the broader community.<br />
Today, the store has expanded into<br />
an adjacent space, has added liquor<br />
to its offerings and is moving forward<br />
with plans to move its made-fromscratch<br />
pies onto grocery shelves.<br />
Despite its growth and ambitious<br />
plans, Tania’s remains a family business.<br />
Owner/operator Amos Sheena<br />
runs Tania’s along with parents Ihsan<br />
and Muntaha. Amos’ sister, Tania,<br />
handles the accounting, invoicing and<br />
other administrative duties. One other<br />
brother is a minority partner, and another<br />
is not presently involved in<br />
the business.<br />
Ihsan says all four children<br />
worked for the business until<br />
they were married. Ihsan chose to<br />
name the store for Tania, his only<br />
daughter and eldest child.<br />
Amos returned to Tania’s after<br />
graduating from college and starting<br />
a career in financial planning. He<br />
intends to expand the business and<br />
provide members of the community<br />
with career opportunities. He hopes his<br />
legacy will be sharing the business opportunity<br />
and a positive work culture<br />
with a larger family—the community.<br />
However, Tania’s and its stuffed<br />
pizza almost never happened. Ihsan<br />
worked selling real estate and operated<br />
grocery, beer-and-wine, and liquor<br />
stores in Detroit beginning in 1969. He<br />
ultimately sold his liquor store and<br />
began delivering pizzas for Domino’s<br />
Pizza with an eye toward becoming a<br />
franchisee.<br />
Then fate intervened. The Domino’s<br />
opportunity never materialized. At<br />
the same time, the business that was<br />
housed in the space Tania’s now occupies<br />
was going broke and selling. It was<br />
a beer-and-wine store that sold pizza.<br />
Ihsan and Muntaha took the money<br />
from the liquor store sale slated for a<br />
Domino’s franchise and put it toward<br />
buying the failing Roberto’s store.<br />
Ihsan had a longstanding fascination<br />
with pizza. He was now free to<br />
develop his unique blend of dough,<br />
sauce, cheese, and spices. He read<br />
trade magazines, talking to suppliers<br />
and other vendors. He worked with<br />
Muntaha to develop the stuffed pizza<br />
that only Tania’s serves.<br />
The pizza from Tania’s is difficult<br />
to describe. It is stuffed, but not super<br />
thick like Chicago-style pizza. It has<br />
a buttery, light, but sturdy crust and<br />
a construction that stays together in<br />
one’s hand. Tania’s pizza is delicious<br />
and addictive. Connoisseurs of Detroitarea<br />
pizza will not find anything like<br />
it. Not even close.<br />
Ihsan says many pizzerias over the<br />
years have tried unsuccessfully to imitate<br />
Tania’s pies. Amos, who says the<br />
recipe can be taught and the ingredients<br />
acquired, isn’t worried about anyone<br />
succeeding in eclipsing Tania’s.<br />
The business is about more than the<br />
pizza, he says.<br />
Tania’s works with Royal Oak High<br />
School administration to help students<br />
learn about business and sponsors<br />
sports teams and other community<br />
ventures.<br />
Involvement in the community is<br />
a direct outgrowth of traditional Chaldean<br />
culture for Ihsan, Muntaha, and<br />
family, who still get together every<br />
Sunday.<br />
As Tania’s professional family<br />
grows, it will take the road less traveled.<br />
Instead of expanding into multiple<br />
carry-out locations or sit-down<br />
restaurants, Tania’s has begun to<br />
move into the grocery and grocerydelivery<br />
space.<br />
Amos says Tania’s has received<br />
the USDA approval needed to sell<br />
meat products in grocery operations.<br />
This allows Tania’s to sell<br />
cook-at-home pizzas through grocery<br />
outlets. The pizzas are sold<br />
fresh, not frozen, in a vacuum<br />
seal-looking package that Amos<br />
says gives the pies a long shelf life,<br />
verified by lab-testing. They cook<br />
fast, in 6-12 minutes, and retain the<br />
quality and flavor of the cooked-toorder<br />
version (I home-tested one).<br />
Tania’s has arrangements with two<br />
Door Dash-owned stores that supply<br />
grocery items to the delivery service.<br />
Amos is working to get Tania’s into<br />
traditional grocery stores and expects<br />
this to happen “soon.”<br />
Even in grocery expansion, Amos<br />
says Tania’s considers family values.<br />
Rather than ordering a pizza to go or<br />
going out to a pizza restaurant, Tania’s<br />
business plans encourage families to<br />
cook pizzas at home and spend time<br />
together, he says.<br />
The story continues for the pizza<br />
place that almost wasn’t. And it continues<br />
its own way, keeping family and<br />
community values at its core.<br />
30 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 31
SPORTS<br />
Brendin Yatooma: Kind-Hearted Wrestler<br />
BY STEVE STEIN<br />
Brendin Yatooma takes down Northern Illinois’ Carter Grewe during the Michigan State Open in November. Yatooma won 5-1.<br />
Brendin Yatooma’s athletic resume<br />
is impressive. He’s also<br />
an impressive human being.<br />
Just ask Aaron Babicz, the longtime<br />
athletic director at Novi Detroit Catholic<br />
Central High School.<br />
Yatooma graduated from Catholic<br />
Central in 2020 after being an outstanding<br />
football player and wrestler for the<br />
Shamrocks. He also served as senior<br />
class president at Catholic Central<br />
and was a board member for the Caleb<br />
White Project, a not-for-profit run by<br />
students from across the Detroit area<br />
that works to alleviate homelessness.<br />
“I’ve known Brendin for a long<br />
time,” Babicz said. “He’s an old soul<br />
who has always been mature for his<br />
age and is kind-hearted. He’s stoic,<br />
but he has a great sense of humor. And<br />
he has a blue-collar work ethic he got<br />
from his parents.”<br />
Yatooma, 21, is a senior academically<br />
at the University of Michigan and<br />
a member of the nationally ranked Wolverines<br />
wrestling team, with two years<br />
of eligibility remaining after this season.<br />
He makes his way back to Catholic<br />
Central often, especially during the offseason<br />
for wrestling, and occasionally<br />
acts as a mentor and sounding board<br />
for current Shamrocks athletes.<br />
“I love to see Brendin come back<br />
to our school because he’s a servant<br />
leader,” Babicz said. “I’ve seen him<br />
encourage a kid who just missed a<br />
tackle or lost a tough wrestling match.<br />
“He exemplifies the Catholic Central<br />
culture. I miss having him around,<br />
but he makes us appreciative of the<br />
work we do with kids.”<br />
Culture is one of the main reasons<br />
why Yatooma chose to attend U-M at<br />
the end of an exhaustive recruiting<br />
process. “U-M was most similar to<br />
what I was used to at Catholic Central,”<br />
he said. “There’s a family culture<br />
and a winning culture there. You’re<br />
more than just a Division I athlete.”<br />
In addition to choosing a college<br />
while he was being recruited, Yatooma<br />
had to choose a sport. He was a threeyear<br />
starter and two-time All-Catholic<br />
League linebacker in football at Catholic<br />
Central. He had 88 tackles and four<br />
sacks in his senior season.<br />
He also was a two-time individual<br />
state champion wrestler for the Shamrocks,<br />
winning titles in the 215-pound<br />
weight class in 2019 and 2020, and a<br />
contributor to four team state championships.<br />
He went 162-26 in his Catholic<br />
Central wrestling career, including 49-1<br />
as a senior, and he had 97 career pins.<br />
Yatooma received football offers<br />
from Central Michigan University and<br />
several smaller schools. He chatted<br />
with U-M coaches about possibly playing<br />
football and wrestling there.<br />
“That would have been too tough,”<br />
Yatooma said. “Wrestling practice<br />
starts in November, so there would<br />
PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL<br />
have been an overlap of seasons. Plus,<br />
I have a tough major (economics).”<br />
In the end, Yatooma chose U-M<br />
and wrestling. “It was tough to give up<br />
football,” he said. “I’d been playing<br />
football since I was in first or second<br />
grade. I missed football a lot in my early<br />
years at U-M. Now I’m content with<br />
my decision.<br />
“Looking back, I just didn’t feel<br />
the pull for football like I did for wrestling.<br />
I felt it was God’s calling for me<br />
to wrestle.”<br />
Yatooma will graduate from U-M<br />
this spring with a bachelor’s degree in<br />
economics. He said he plans to stay at<br />
U-M and wrestle for at least one more<br />
year so he can pursue a master’s degree<br />
in management in the Stephen M. Ross<br />
School of Business before he embarks<br />
on a career in the financial world.<br />
Yatooma has been bit by the injury<br />
bug a couple times during his U-M<br />
wrestling career. After being a starter<br />
last season and competing for U-M in<br />
the Big Ten tournament, he’s been battling<br />
an elbow injury this season and<br />
had competed in only five matches<br />
through mid-January. His collegiate<br />
career record at the time was 14-27.<br />
Yatooma went 2-2 and finished in<br />
fourth place at the annual Michigan<br />
State Open on November 11. He defeated<br />
Michigan State’s Kael Wisler<br />
4-2 and Northern Illinois’ Carter<br />
Grewe 5-1.<br />
A star in the classroom at Catholic<br />
Central, Yatooma has continued his academic<br />
success at U-M. He was a Michigan<br />
High School Athletic Association<br />
Academic All-State selection in 2020,<br />
and he was named to the Academic All-<br />
Big Ten team the last two years.<br />
Yatooma said wrestling has helped<br />
his academics through the years.<br />
“Wrestling teaches you to be disciplined<br />
and make sacrifices when you<br />
need to,” he said.<br />
Yatooma’s parents are Adam, a<br />
key account executive for Google, and<br />
Tara. He has a younger brother Logan,<br />
19, a former Catholic Central lacrosse<br />
player who’s now a freshman at Michigan<br />
State University. The family lives<br />
in South Lyon.<br />
32 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 33
February Cover Stories<br />
Through the Years 2004-2023<br />
As promised, each month this<br />
year we will highlight the cover<br />
stories of that month over<br />
the last two decades. This serves as a<br />
timeline of what we thought was worth<br />
reporting, and what the community<br />
was concerned with at that time.<br />
For instance, the first cover of the<br />
first issue of the Chaldean News declared<br />
Chaldeans “An Ancient People<br />
in Modern Times.” The inaugural issue<br />
was not just about uniting the community;<br />
it was also about defining who<br />
the community was for the rest of the<br />
Metro Detroit population.<br />
The 2005 February cover celebrated<br />
the first year of publication, detailed<br />
the many strides the community<br />
had taken to further establish itself<br />
here in Michigan, and again raised<br />
the question about refugees returning<br />
home. Unfortunately, the situation in<br />
Iraq remains dire to this day.<br />
In 2006, the cover for February<br />
was about the changing faces of the<br />
Chaldean community. The article went<br />
in-depth exploring the community’s<br />
past, present, and future. Church leaders<br />
expressed the importance of maintaining<br />
the Aramaic (Sureth) language<br />
as a unique piece of culture.<br />
2007 covered the mixed reaction<br />
in the community to Saddam Hussein.<br />
He was a brutal dictator in a land of<br />
brutal dictators; however, Christians<br />
were tolerated under Saddam, and he<br />
even appointed one to his administration.<br />
Politics is rarely ever clear cut.<br />
The 2008 cover celebrated community<br />
members that took an oath<br />
to serve and protect—in other words,<br />
Chaldean cops. These brave men and<br />
women risk their lives in pursuit of the<br />
greater good, and we all know it’s not<br />
for the money.<br />
Speaking of money, things weren’t<br />
always going so well for Shenandoah<br />
Country Club, and in 2009, massive<br />
business debt was a sign of the times.<br />
The cover story that year asked the<br />
question: Will Shenandoah weather<br />
the storm? Of course, we know that<br />
‘Doah is alive and thriving, having just<br />
gone private a few years back.<br />
2010 was a year of reflection and<br />
growth. The cover story detailed the<br />
many changes in the community in the<br />
decade previous, including the birth of<br />
the newspaper, the Chaldean American<br />
Chamber of Commerce, and the<br />
Chaldean Community Foundation; the<br />
opening of Shenandoah and the Chaldean<br />
Cultural Center; and the massive<br />
growth in the Church. The first decade<br />
of the 21st century, one that many labeled,<br />
“The Lost Decade,” was very,<br />
very good to the Chaldean community.<br />
Just as improvements in production<br />
allow for more leisure time, advancements<br />
in the community allow<br />
for more sport. We were more than<br />
willing to celebrate the accomplishments<br />
of our youth and featured Justin<br />
Meram, a soccer player who was drafted<br />
in the first round (fifteenth overall)<br />
in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Justin was<br />
credited as the first Chaldean to advance<br />
to play professional sports, went<br />
on to become the first in major league<br />
soccer history to be called up by Iraq.<br />
In 2012, when everyone was talking<br />
about “food deserts” across the country,<br />
grocery store owners in Detroit and those<br />
that represented them, such as AFPD<br />
(Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers)<br />
and the Chaldean American Chamber<br />
of Commerce took offense. The AFPD<br />
provided a map that showed the location<br />
of all 86 stores in the city that qualified<br />
as “groceries,” meaning they carried<br />
fresh meat, produce, deli, dairy, and frozen<br />
foods. At the 2023 CACC Awards Dinner,<br />
Detroit City Council member Kwame<br />
Kilpatrick Jr. acknowledged the role<br />
Chaldean grocers played and credited<br />
the store owners with “saving Detroit.”<br />
That’s quite an endorsement!<br />
2013 saw the birth of the February<br />
“Wedding Guide,” which continued<br />
with some variation through to 2020.<br />
Exceptions included 2014, which was<br />
the tenth anniversary edition; 2017,<br />
which showcased four seasons of weddings;<br />
and 2018, which looked at the<br />
differences between modern day weddings<br />
and weddings of the past.<br />
2021 was all about Pope Francis’<br />
historic visit to Iraq and the media<br />
coverage the visit inspired. 2022 was<br />
the year we brought you stunning photos<br />
of Iraqi villages from photographer<br />
Wilson Sarkis and began a 12-month<br />
photo essay series. In 2023, we brought<br />
the theme back to weddings and featured<br />
some extraordinary marriages<br />
that have stood the test of time.<br />
We hope you enjoy every word and<br />
photo!<br />
34 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 35
NEW AMERICANS<br />
Patrick N’golo and wife Nicha (center) pose with Helen Hicks and other supporters at the closing of their new home.<br />
Coming to America<br />
The Patrick N’golo story<br />
BY SARAH KITTLE<br />
‘<br />
New Americans’ is a compelling<br />
series that shines a light<br />
on the remarkable journeys<br />
and resilience of immigrants within<br />
the vibrant Chaldean community.<br />
Join us as we delve into the impactful<br />
work of the Chaldean Community<br />
Foundation (CCF), a beacon of hope<br />
and support for newcomers striving to<br />
assimilate and thrive in their adopted<br />
homeland.<br />
Through poignant narratives and<br />
firsthand accounts, ‘New Americans’<br />
showcases the Foundation’s pivotal<br />
role in aiding individuals and families<br />
as they navigate the challenges of<br />
resettlement, preserve their cultural<br />
identity, and contribute to the rich<br />
tapestry of American society. It is an<br />
inspiring exploration of courage, determination,<br />
and the transformative<br />
power of community as we witness<br />
the stories of those forging new beginnings<br />
in a foreign land with the invaluable<br />
assistance of the CCF.<br />
“The basic idea of welcoming immigrants<br />
to our shores is central to<br />
our way of life — it is in our DNA. We<br />
believe our diversity, our differences,<br />
when joined together by a common<br />
set of ideals, makes us stronger, makes<br />
us more creative, makes us different.<br />
From all these different strands, we<br />
make something new here in America.”<br />
- President Barack Obama, July 4,<br />
2014.<br />
Meet Patrick N’golo. No, he isn’t<br />
Chaldean, nor is he from Iraq. Patrick<br />
is from the Democratic Republic of<br />
Congo, where decades of clashes between<br />
armed groups, widespread violations<br />
of human rights, and devastating<br />
incidents of gender-based violence<br />
have displaced 6.1 million people.<br />
Sound familiar?<br />
Patrick’s father, an ambassador<br />
in the Democratic Republic of Congo<br />
(DRC), was murdered in front of him<br />
simply for speaking out about basic<br />
human dignity and respect. When<br />
Patrick spoke out about his father’s<br />
death, he, too, became a target. In<br />
2018, Patrick was sentenced to prison<br />
by the DRC government.<br />
When broken out of prison by family<br />
friends, he went into hiding, unable<br />
to contact his wife and four sons for<br />
months. He needed to get out, but his<br />
passport was at the office of his former<br />
employer. Friends once again helped<br />
him, retrieving Patrick’s passport and<br />
arranging transportation for him to go<br />
to the United States and seek asylum.<br />
Patrick found help in the form of<br />
Freedom House, a place for legal non-<br />
English speaking asylees, refugees and<br />
PHOTO COURTESY OF MACOMB HABITAT FOR HUMANITY<br />
immigrants in Chicago. “They were the<br />
first kind hands that shook mine while<br />
I was reeling over the assassination of<br />
my parents and the parting from those<br />
I loved, my beautiful wife and my four<br />
boys,” Patrick said at a speech in November.<br />
Freedom House was only the beginning.<br />
Patrick next reached out to<br />
the French United Methodist Church.<br />
“Most of the members there are legal<br />
asylees and refugees like me, who find<br />
some comfort in speaking our native<br />
language with others,” said Patrick in<br />
that same speech.<br />
French is Patrick’s native language,<br />
and Nathalie Bochet, with<br />
Macomb County’s Habitat for Humanity<br />
(HFH), was his champion once he<br />
came to Michigan. He was assisted<br />
by Reverend Dr. Charles Boayue, who<br />
serves on the advisory board at that<br />
organization. Patrick started to learn<br />
English and acquired employment; he<br />
was on his way but missed his family<br />
a great deal.<br />
Patrick had been on the run and<br />
hadn’t had a steady job for two years<br />
before coming here. Although he was<br />
working three jobs and saving all he<br />
could, it wasn’t enough. Given a slowdown<br />
in issuance of Green Cards and<br />
his current low-income status, Patrick<br />
had huge hurdles in his search<br />
for affordable housing, ones that HFH<br />
helped him overcome.<br />
Working with the City of Eastpointe,<br />
HFH found Patrick a tax-reverted<br />
home to rent, with the intention<br />
of someday owning it. The city’s<br />
residents adopted Patrick, donating<br />
household items and offering contractor<br />
services. Beds were donated in<br />
preparation for Patrick’s family to join<br />
him. His new neighbors even planted a<br />
tree in his new front yard as a symbol<br />
of neighborly love.<br />
Patrick was overwhelmed by this<br />
outpouring of support, but the citizens<br />
of America weren’t done helping<br />
yet. On Father’s Day in 2022, the N’golo<br />
family was reunited in Detroit. Several<br />
donors made that possible, but the<br />
money for the trip was mostly given by<br />
Ray and Doreen Gierach.<br />
So, Patrick’s family was here. Now<br />
what?<br />
Green cards were needed for Patrick’s<br />
wife, Nicha, so she could work,<br />
and for the boys, so they could attend<br />
school. Also, many programs designed<br />
to assist immigrants require a Social<br />
Security Number (SSN), and Patrick<br />
struggled for over three months to get<br />
SSNs for his wife and sons.<br />
“Our immigration system is broken,”<br />
opines Nathalie Bochet, referring<br />
to the process Patrick had to follow.<br />
“Patrick was in our office on a<br />
weekly basis for months.”<br />
Enter the Chaldean Community<br />
Foundation.<br />
At a meeting of nonprofits, the<br />
stars aligned for Patrick N’golo and his<br />
family when Helen Hicks of Habitat for<br />
Humanity met Sharon Hannawa, who<br />
manages the Refugee Acculturation<br />
Sustainability Training (RAST) Program<br />
at the CCF.<br />
“She [Sharon] told me ‘The runaround<br />
stops here,’” said Nathalie, after<br />
explaining Patrick’s situation.<br />
Using contacts and relationships<br />
that the CCF has fostered over two decades,<br />
Sharon made a couple of calls,<br />
to the Department of Human Services<br />
(DHS) in Warren, and to the Department<br />
of Justice (DOJ). Cutting through the red<br />
tape made all the difference in Patrick’s<br />
case, and he was finally able to get Green<br />
Cards and SSNs for his family.<br />
Sharon “waved her magic wand,”<br />
said Nathalie, “and we are all so grateful.”<br />
36 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION<br />
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To register please call CCF at 586-722-7253<br />
$40 registration fee<br />
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 3601 15 MILE ROAD, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 586-722-7253 CHALDEANFOUNDATION.ORG<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> NEWS 37
CULTURE & HISTORY<br />
Iraqi Christian Contributions<br />
BY ADHID MIRI, PHD<br />
Top row, from left: Dr Anna Sttian, Abd Al-Masih Wazir, Anstas Mary Al-Karmali, Behnam Abu Alsouf and Dr. Nouri Yousif Mary<br />
Second row, from left: Dr. Siranoush Al-Raihani, Dr. Suad Yousif Mary, Gorgees Awwad, Minister Yousif Ghaniema and Munir Bashir<br />
Part II<br />
We continue our story from<br />
the May 2023 issue covering<br />
the contributions, the<br />
experiences, the challenges, and the<br />
ups and downs of a community that<br />
was and continues to be part of the diverse<br />
Iraqi community. Unfortunately,<br />
the same sad story and plight of Iraqi<br />
Jews, Yazidis, Mandeans, Armenians,<br />
Assyrians, and Chaldeans in the 20th<br />
century is now being repeated in the<br />
21st century.<br />
Iraq is not Iraq if we exclude from<br />
its collective memory major Christian<br />
enlightenment figures such as historians,<br />
academics, scientists, doctors,<br />
lawyers, writers, journalists, archeologists,<br />
artists, and poets. With so many<br />
to recognize, I am sure there will be<br />
names missing but will do my best to<br />
acknowledge them all.<br />
The Renaissance scholars<br />
Some names worth mentioning here<br />
are the prominent archeologist Fuad<br />
Safar, who was the General Director of<br />
Antiquities in Baghdad from 1960 until<br />
1978, and Georges Hanna Awad, historian<br />
and Library Director.<br />
Renaissance music masters include<br />
Munir Basheer, Jameel Basheer,<br />
Hanna Petrus, Saeed Shabo, Peatris<br />
Ohanisian, Wadeea Khonda, Nadhum<br />
Naiem, Jameel Jerjees and others.<br />
Some culture, language, and history<br />
scholars of the Renaissance are<br />
Anstas Mary Al-Karmali, Fr. Louis Marmarchi,<br />
Fr. Sulaiman Al-Saiegh, Jirjees<br />
Fathallah, Mikhael Awad, Yousif Hormis<br />
Jammo, Yousif Mary, Yousif Habbi,<br />
and Putrus Haddad.<br />
Teachers and educators<br />
Christian teachers were famous for<br />
their deep knowledge, diligent performance,<br />
credibility, and love for their<br />
profession. Entire Iraqi generations<br />
were brought up by Christian educators<br />
and educational institutions. They<br />
instilled the love of science and knowledge<br />
in thousands of students.<br />
Notably, Dr. Matti Aqrawi, who was<br />
the first president of the University of<br />
Baghdad from the Christians of Mosul,<br />
is credited with pioneering compulsory<br />
education in Iraq.<br />
Dr. Hanna Behnam Khayyat was<br />
appointed the first minister of health<br />
in the modern Iraqi state in 1922. He<br />
was also the first Iraqi dean of the Iraqi<br />
Royal Medical College (1934).<br />
Dr. Nouri Yousif Mary — my father<br />
— was born in Baghdad in 1928 and I<br />
am proud to say he was the first Iraqi<br />
dean of the College of Pharmacy at<br />
Baghdad University in 1959.<br />
Journalists and writers<br />
Journalism in a free state is very different<br />
from journalism in an occupied<br />
one. These Christian journalists braved<br />
the condemnation of the ruling party.<br />
Maryam Nerma is a well-known<br />
journalist who was born in Baghdad<br />
in 1890. Born Maryam Raphael Youssef<br />
Romaya, she was unusual in that she<br />
was sent to elementary school; at that<br />
time, education for girls was not a priority.<br />
In an interview, she shared that her<br />
mother told her at age 5 never to marry<br />
but to learn as much as she could.<br />
After her first article was published<br />
in the Dar Al-Salam newspaper in<br />
1921, Mariam learned that her article<br />
was the first written by a woman, thus<br />
making her the first female journalist<br />
in the history of Iraq. In 1937, she published<br />
a newspaper called The Arab<br />
Girl. She died in 1972.<br />
It is worth noting that The Arab<br />
Girl Newspaper was not the first Iraqi<br />
newspaper focused on women’s rights;<br />
Layla Newspaper, founded by Paulina<br />
Hassoun in 1923, was the first. However,<br />
Layla was mocked for its poor writing<br />
standards, short-sightedness, and<br />
poor editing. The Arab Girl was the<br />
first Iraqi newspaper with high journalistic<br />
standards that was completely<br />
managed by women, from writing to<br />
distribution.<br />
Mikhael Tessie was the author of<br />
the first comic journal and Nadhum<br />
Putros, a lawyer, was the first broadcaster<br />
in Iraq in the royal era.<br />
Rose Francis was a brilliant writer<br />
who conducted research in home economics,<br />
history, and sociology. The<br />
Ministry of Education in Iraq sent her<br />
to the American University in Beirut to<br />
complete her studies. She studied for<br />
one year, then traveled to England to<br />
specialize in educational and psychological<br />
sciences.<br />
Doctors/Medicine<br />
Dr. Malak Razouk Ghanam, born in<br />
Baghdad in 1907, is known as the<br />
first female doctor in Iraq. She is the<br />
daughter of journalist Razouk Daoud<br />
Ghannam, who encouraged his daughter<br />
to buck convention. Malak became<br />
the first Iraqi female to join the Medical<br />
College since its establishment in<br />
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued on page 40<br />
38 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
املسيحيون العراقيون – إسهامات وذكريات جيل الرواد<br />
بقلم د عضيد مريي<br />
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued on page 42<br />
العراق بلد التنوع الديني واملذهبي، فيه عاشت أقدم<br />
الديانات، وعىل أرضه وجدت مختلف الجامعات الدينية<br />
واإلثنية واملكونات التي تشكلت وعاشت فيه منذ القدم<br />
وعاشت فيه، وبعضها أصيل تعود جذوره لحضارات وادي<br />
الرافدين، لكنها سوية شكلت الدولة العراقية الحديثة.<br />
املقالة هذه هي مخترص ملقالتني تتعلق بهذا<br />
املوضوع أولهام نُرشت يف عدد شهر ايار 2023 والثانية<br />
يف صفحات هذا العدد من مجلة كالديان نيوز باللغة<br />
اإلنكليزية، تناولنا فيهام معامل ومساهامت أجيال من<br />
املسيحيني الذين سجلوا وتركوا بصامت خالدة يف دواوين<br />
التنوير والتمييز يف املجاالت املدنية والثقافية والحضارية<br />
وأصبحوا مدعاة فخر لوطنهم ومجتمعهم ومحل اعتزاز<br />
العراق وأبناءه ومكوناته.<br />
لقد سبقنا وكتب مجموعة من الكتاب واألكادمييني<br />
واملؤرخني املرموقني مثل د. سيار الجميل وسعد سلوم<br />
ورسور مريزا محمود و د. فيصل غازي مجهول وكريم عبد<br />
الحسني العزاوي وغريهم من املهتمني بشؤون املكونات عن<br />
هذا املوضوع بإسهاب وإنصاف واقتبسنا منهم معلومات<br />
قيمة يف اعداد هذه املقالة عن املسيحيني العراقيني<br />
وأدوارهم اإليجابية مع إخوتهم املسلمني واملندائيني يف<br />
وطنهم العراق الذي تنوّعت فيه األديان والسكان وتعددت<br />
ألوان املكونات وتجانس فيه الناس وتناغمت عاداتهم<br />
وتقاليدهم، وانسجمت حياتهم ورشاكة عيشهم وانصهر<br />
بينهم وجودهم التاريخي الطويل.<br />
لقد دافع الكتاب التنويريني عن حقوق العراقيني<br />
مبختلف تراكيبهم واطيافهم واعراقهم واديانهم ونرشوا<br />
موضوعات ودراسات وآراء يف محاولة لدعم الحريات<br />
وشاركهم عدد كبري من أبرز كتّاب الرأي يف تسليط الضوء<br />
عىل انتهاك الحريات يف العراق وقدموا األراء عن اهمية<br />
املساواة والعدالة االجتامعية وإعالء مفاهيم الرشاكة<br />
والتعايش السلمي بني املواطنني من اجل استعادة ازدهار<br />
العراق وناسه الطيبني.<br />
وهؤالء الكتاب املسلمني املُنصفني هبوا وكتبوا<br />
دفاعاً عن اخوتهم يف الكتاب والوطن ليس ألن املسيحيني<br />
العراقيني هم اقلية يف مجتمع مسلم، بل ألن هذه<br />
األقلية )املكون األصيل( كان لها ادوارها الحضارية فضال<br />
عن االدوار النهضوية والوطنية عىل امتداد عقود كثرية<br />
ناهيكم عن ثقلهم ووجودهم ومؤسساتهم وأديرتهم<br />
وكنائسهم ومطرانياتهم خصوصا يف املوصل وسهل نينوى<br />
منذ قرابة الفي سنة ويشهد بذلك الكنائس، واألديرة،<br />
واملدارس الشاخصة، واملندثرة واملبعرثة يف ارض الرافدين.<br />
وثبت األكادمييون وباألرقام كم نالت األقليات من<br />
التهميش والتعتيم واالقصاء وتبعات هذا الفشل الحضاري<br />
والتغيري الدميوغرايف ومأساة تحول املجتمعات الحيوية<br />
املتأخية اىل عقول مُقيدّة وأيديولوجيات متخلفة جعلت<br />
املسيحي يف وطنه مواطناً من الدرجة العارشة ومطلقة بذلك<br />
هجرة محلية مفزعة من كافة املدن اىل سهل نينوى وشامل<br />
العراق وهجرة بعيدة اىل بالد الغرب واملنايف التي أصبحت<br />
أوطانا بديلة بعيدة وهجرة بال عودة للغالبية منهم.<br />
ويف ضمن هذا املجال ال بد ان نقف عىل جملة<br />
من الحقائق املهمة والبصامت التأريخية التي تكاد تكون<br />
مخفية ال فقط عن القراء األجانب، بل حتى عن العراقيني<br />
أنفسهم بأن املسيحيني هم عراقيني أصالء ومل يأتوا من<br />
خارج الفضاء، ولو تتبعنا خطى األثار وعطر التأريخ<br />
سنجد انهم أبناء أرض العراق املباركة ويقيمون فيه جنوبا<br />
ووسطا وشامال منذ الفي عام وكنائسهم منترشة بني نهريه<br />
وأديرتهم كانت ومازالت مزروعة قرب األنهار يف مناطق<br />
بغداد والكوفة واملوصل وكان مركز رئاستهم التأريخية<br />
سابقا يف املدائن )سلامن باك حالياً( وعند تأسيس بغداد<br />
عام 762 ميالدية نقل اليها وال يزال هناك.<br />
إن هذه املقالة هي بذرة صغرية يف ارض وبستان<br />
علامء العراق جمعنا فيها منوذج من فسائل ونخيل بالد<br />
الرافدين تثميناً ملا قدموه من خدمات اىل وطنهم وكيف<br />
ساهموا بفعالية يف نهضة البالد خالل القرن املايض ونحن<br />
ال منلك إحصائية كاملة بجميع األسامء، لكن أرقامهم<br />
تشكل وزنا واضحا ونعتذر لعدم ذِكر املئات األخرين<br />
من أصحاب الكفاءات الذين يفتخر بهم العراق وبينهم<br />
وزراء وقضاة وشعراء وأدباء وأطباء وصيادلة ومحامني<br />
وعسكريني ومدرسني ومؤرخني وآثاريني وموسيقيني<br />
وصحفيني وإعالميني وسياسيني ومهندسني وجيولوجيني<br />
وصناعيني وغريهم من الذين كان لهم تأثري بالغ األهمية<br />
يف مجاالت التعليم والطب واألدب والفن والرياضة وكافة<br />
أركان الحياة العراقية الحديثة. وسننقل ادناهً بعضاً من<br />
مثني ما صنعته ايادي وعقول هؤالء الرواد وما قدموه<br />
لوطنهم العراق ولالستزادة يف االطالع ومعرفة األسامء<br />
يرجى مطالعة مقاالت الكتاب املتميزين الواردة اسامهم<br />
ضمن هذه املقالة.<br />
علامء النهضة<br />
هناك املئات من مشاهري العراقيني ومن كافة املكونات<br />
والقوميات وامللل تشكلت عىل أيديهم هندسة وبناء<br />
األجيال الجديدة، واتسموا جميعا باملقدرة والرغبة<br />
يف الرتبية والتعليم سواء داخل العراق أو خارجه مثل<br />
علامء الثقافة واللغة والدين والتاريخ وتفوق العديد<br />
من املسيحيني العراقيني يف تخصصات مهمة نذكر منهم:<br />
أنستاس ماري الكرميل، األب لويس مرمرجي، األب<br />
سليامن الصايغ ، األب يوسف حبي، يوسف هرمز جمو،<br />
الشامس يوسف منصور مريي، ، املحامي جرجيس فتح<br />
الله، املؤرخون جرجيس وشقيقه ميخائيل عوض ، بطرس<br />
حداد والشاعر املحامي الفريد سمعان وجرجيس حنا<br />
عواد وفرج بصمجي: أستاذ وآثاري ويوسف يعقوب<br />
مسكوين: مؤرخ وباحث كلداين وأساتذة املوسيقى: منري<br />
بشري، جميل بشري، حنا بطرس، سعيد شابو، ناظم نعيم،<br />
جميل جرجيس وآخرون غريهم، منهم عامل اآلثار البارز<br />
فؤاد سفر مدير عام آثار بغداد )1960 – 1978( مؤرخ<br />
ومدير املكتبة، واخرتنا تسليط األضواء عىل أربعة من<br />
العلامء النهضويني، ونقف قليال عند سريتهم ليعرفهم<br />
أبناءنا وأحفادنا ويفتخروا مبا قدموه وأنجزوه.<br />
األب أنستاس ماري الكرميل – رائد الصحافة<br />
العراقية وحارس لغة الضاد )1866-1947(<br />
بطرس جربائيل يوسف عواد واملعروف باألب أنستاس<br />
ماري الكرميل رجل دين مسيحي، ولغوي عريب، عراقي<br />
من أب لبناين وأم عراقية بغدادية فأبوه جربائيل يوسف<br />
عواد من إحدى قرى لبنان، قدم اىل بغداد سنة 1850م<br />
وأقام بها، ويف بغداد تعرّف عىل مريم مرغريتا او )لؤلؤه(<br />
من بيت اوغسطني جربان البغدادي، وامها )مرتا( ابنة<br />
رحامين الكلداين البغدادي، فتزوجها وله منها خمسة بنني<br />
واربع بنات، وبطرس كان األبن الرابع من ابناء جربائيل<br />
وعرف بعد ذلك باسم أنستاس ماري الكرميل، حيث ولد<br />
ونشأ يف بغداد عام 1866م وتلقى تعليمه االبتدايئ فيها<br />
مبدرسة اآلباء الكرمليني.<br />
متيزت بغداد أيام الكرميل يف اربعينيات القرن<br />
املايض مبجالسها االدبية، ولكن مجلس يوم الجمعة لالب<br />
انستاس كان يف طليعة هذه املجالس. إذ كان يعقد<br />
للمناقشة والحوار يف دير اآلباء الكرمليني يف محلة سوق<br />
الغزل ببغداد، واختار وهو املسيحي يوم الجمعة احرتاما<br />
ملقام ضيوفه ومجتمعه إذ كان وفياً لوطنه وأميناً لعالقاته<br />
االجتامعية، وكان يرتدد عليه أساطني اللغة العربية<br />
وعلامئها وأعيان البلد عىل اختالف مللهم ونحلهم، ومن<br />
رواد املجلس الشيخ جالل الحنفي والعالمة مصطفى<br />
جواد ويوسف رزق الله غنيمة وصفوة يف مجاالت االدب،<br />
واللغة، واالجتامع، والفلسفة. املجلس يبتدئ من الساعة<br />
الثامنة صباحا اىل الساعة الثانية عرش ظهرا تدور فيه كل<br />
البحوث )اال السياسة والدين( وكان ملجلس الراهب صفه<br />
لها جامل ورونق اذ تجد فيه املسلم واملسيحي واليهودي<br />
تجمعهم اخوة العلم واألدب والوطن.<br />
وضع الكرميل كتبًا مهمة وأبحاثًا مفيدة عن اللغة<br />
العربية وكان يدعو للتصحيح اللغوي والحفاظ عىل اللغة<br />
العربية وألف معجامً سامهُ املساعد وكان يرى يف الخروج<br />
عىل اللغة العربية خطئًا ال ميكن قبوله أو التساهل فيه.<br />
وساهم يف عملية التعريب، وأصدر مجلتني وجريدة. ومتيزت<br />
مجلة لغة العرب التي أصدرها يف عام 1911م بأبحاثها األدبية<br />
والتأريخية، وخدمت اللغة العربية وتُرجمت مقاالتها اىل عدد<br />
من اللغات األوربية وكتب فيها أبرز املؤلفني والكتاب من<br />
مفكري ومثقفي بغداد يف تلك الفرتة.<br />
شكل اطالع الكرميل عىل عدد من اللغات حيزا<br />
واسعاً من ثقافته إذ اتقن االب انستاس الكثري من<br />
اللغات: منها الالتينية واليونانية والفرنسية واإلنكليزية<br />
واإليطالية واألملانية والكلدانية، والرسيانية، واملندائية<br />
والرتكية والفارسية والعربية، والحبشية. وتوج ذلك كله<br />
بتفرده بلغته العربية فكان مستودعاً للغات ومنبعاً<br />
يغرف منه املفردات والرتاكيب للمقارنة بني لغات العامل<br />
ومقابلة بعضها مع األخر وجعلت منه باحثاً ومقارناً كبريا<br />
وكانت حصيلة جهوده هذه عددا كبريا من املؤلفات<br />
املطبوعة واملخطوطة واملئات من املقاالت العلمية يف<br />
شتى صفوف املعرفة.<br />
من أبرز الكتب التي تركها الكرميل: أغالط اللغويني<br />
األقدمني، والفوز باملراد يف تاريخ بغداد، ومخترص تاريخ<br />
العراق، وجمهرة اللغات، وأديان العرب، ونشوء اللغة<br />
ومنوها، وشعراء بغداد وكتابها، والعرب قبل اإلسالم، كام<br />
قام بتحقيق جزء من معجم العني للفراهيدي، وكتاب<br />
نخب الذخائر يف أحوال الجواهر البن األكفاين، واإلكليل<br />
للهمداين، وفضل العرب يف علم الحيوان، والنقود العربية<br />
وعلم النميات، واملساعد وكثري من املخطوطات.<br />
حظي الكرميل بتقدير كثري من الهيئات واملجامع<br />
العلمية واللغوية، فانتخب عضوًا يف مجمع املرشقيات األملاين<br />
سنة 1911م واملجمع العلمي العريب يف دمشق سنة 1920م<br />
واختري ضمن أول عرشين عاملًا ولغويًا من العامل العريب يف<br />
مجمع اللغة العربية بالقاهرة سنة 1932م وكرمته الحكومتان<br />
الفرنسية والربيطانية بأوسمة االستحقاق والتمييز.<br />
يرقد الكرميل رقدته االبدية يف كنيسة الالتني التي<br />
تحتل من بغداد قلبها فهي تقع يف “شورجة بغداد”<br />
مقابل جامع الخلفاء او ما اصطلح عليه اسم “منارة<br />
سوق الغزل “او املسجد الجامع. وترك الراهب الحارس<br />
عند وفاته عام 1947م عددًا هائال من الكتب ال يزال<br />
معظمها مخطوطًا مل يطبع، وخلّف ما يزيد عىل أكرث من<br />
1300 مقالة متثل جزءا كبريًا من إنتاجه الفكري واألديب<br />
وبعد وفاته ألحقت مكتبته مبكتبة اآلثار العراقية يف<br />
بغداد. ترك عند وفاته مكتبة نفيسة تضم بني جدرانها<br />
سبعة آالف كتاب من الكتب العلمية واألدبية والثقافية<br />
وهي مصنفة إىل اللغات العربية واإلنكليزية والفرنسية،<br />
ومكتبة األب أنستاس ماري الكرميل يف كنيسة الالتني<br />
تعترب من الكنوز األدبية والثقافية للبالد.<br />
هرمز رسام )1826-1910( أول عامل أثار<br />
ومرشقي عراقي<br />
العراق يف القرن الثامن عرش والتاسع عرش كان والية<br />
تابعة للدولة العثامنية ويف تلك الفرتة مل تكن هناك<br />
قوانني لحامية اآلثار أو اللقى األثرية وكانت الدولة<br />
العثامنية تعطي التصاريح للتنقيب يف أماكن متعددة<br />
من األرايض التابعة لها خصوصا للسفراء والقناصل. وكان<br />
العراق قبلة لعلامء األثار األجانب ومنجم نفيس للكشف<br />
عن اوىل حضارات االنسان التي عاشت يف وادي الرافدين.<br />
وغدت االركيولوجيا العراقية )علم االثار والنفائس(<br />
من اهم علوم ذلك العرص التي كشفت بآثارها املادية<br />
عن خفايا مل يكن االنسان يعلم عنها شيئا اال ما هو مثبت<br />
يف الكتب الدينية. وبرز من املختصني العراقيني يف ريادة<br />
االركيولوجيا العراقية الدكتور هرمز رسام ابان القرن التاسع<br />
عرش، وهو من عائلة مسيحية كلدانية موصلية وكان أبوه<br />
أنطون رسام أسقف كنيسة الرشق الكلدانية يف املوصل<br />
وأمه كانت تريسا إسحق حلبي )من حلب(.<br />
كان رسام جزءًا من فريق البعثة االستكشافية<br />
الشهرية لعامل اآلثار الربيطاين السري أوسنت هرني اليارد<br />
)1817 1894( - وهو عامل آشوريات إنجليزي، ورحالة،<br />
ومسامري، ومؤرخ، ورسام، وجامع أعامل فنية، وسيايس،<br />
ودبلومايس، قام بالتنقيب يف موقع النمرود القديم.<br />
ووصل السري )هرني اوسنت اليارد( املوصل عام 1840<br />
بتفويض من سفري بريطانيا يف اإلستانة/إسطنبول للتنقيب<br />
عن األثار األشورية يف العراق بحثا عن املنحوتات<br />
واملخطوطات الفنية البارزة وكشف عن كنوز اشورية يف<br />
كل من نينوى وخرسباد والنمرود/كالخو.<br />
حني جاء اليارد اىل املوصل استعان بهرمز رسام إلتقانه<br />
االنجليزية، والرتكية، والعربية، والكلدانية. وبتشجيع منهُ<br />
سافر إىل بريطانيا حيث تلقى علومه يف جامعة اكسفورد<br />
وعاد إىل نينوى للتنقيب عن اآلثار حيث يعزى إليه<br />
بالعديد من االكتشافات الهامة، منها األلواح اللبنية التي<br />
ضمت ملحمة كًالكًامش التي تعترب أقدم عمل أديب يف<br />
العامل، وكشف عن الكثري من اآلثار يف نينوى ومنها متاثيل<br />
الثريان املجنحة التي شحنها إىل بريطانيا عن طريق نهر<br />
دجلة بواسطة قوارب تسمى )الكلك( إىل شط العرب حيث<br />
نقلتها السفن الربيطانية من هناك.<br />
خالل العامني 1849-1850 كان هرمز يعاون يف<br />
التنقيب يف اثار تل قوينجق. يف عام 1851 غادر اليارد<br />
املوصل راغبا بعد اشتهاره بالكنوز االثارية االشورية<br />
وخاصة مكتبة سنحاريب والثريان املجنحة، ان يعمل يف<br />
السلك الدبلومايس، وحل محله هرمز رسام.<br />
وكان هرمز رسام رحالة، ومغامرهاجر اىل بريطانيا<br />
واستقر بها، وميكن اعتباره أول عامل أثار ومرشقي ومل تزل<br />
صورته الزيتية معلقة يف واحدة اهم قاعات املتحف الربيطاين<br />
اعرتافا بجهوده الكربى للتاج الربيطاين. وكتبت جريدة التاميز<br />
اللندنية نعيا له يوم وفاته 17 ترشين اول 1910،.<br />
بهنام أبو الصوف )1931-2012(<br />
يُعد عامل األثار واملؤرخ العراقي الدكتور بهنام نارص نعامن أبو<br />
الصوف من أساطني الجيل الثاين لآلثاريني العراقيني املرموقني<br />
يف املحافل املحلية والعربية والدولية وقد اقتفى خطى<br />
اساتذته الكبار من جيل الرواد يف مجال اآلثار ويف مقدمتهم<br />
العالّ مة طه باقر واالستاذ فؤاد سفر وآخرين سعوا حثيثاً من<br />
اجل بناء خربات عراقية للنهوض بقطاع اآلثار الناشئ والذي<br />
لبث عىل مدىً طويل موكوالً ملنقبني وإداريني أجانب.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 39
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued from page 39<br />
1927; she graduated in 1939.<br />
However, Dr. Suleiman Ghazala,<br />
born in 1853, is known as the first Iraqi<br />
doctor to practice in the modern sense.<br />
He came from Mosul and studied in<br />
Paris.<br />
Dr. Anna Sttian, born in Baghdad in<br />
1914, is one of the first Iraqi female doctors<br />
appointed by the Ministry of Health.<br />
An Armenian Christian, she was the<br />
daughter of the lawyer Kirub Sttian.<br />
Dr. Siranush Al-Rayhani completed<br />
her primary education in Mosul<br />
and entered the Faculty of Medicine<br />
at the University of Baghdad in 1945,<br />
graduating in 1950. She is considered<br />
the first Iraqi female doctor to graduate<br />
from the Faculty of Medicine in<br />
Baghdad because Anna Sttian, an<br />
Armenian who graduated before her,<br />
was from from Beirut. Al-Rayhani was<br />
a gynecologist who is still remembered<br />
by many Iraqis for her work promoting<br />
women’s health and education.<br />
Dr. Suad Yousif Mary was born in<br />
1933 and graduated from Baghdad<br />
University College of Medicine in 1959.<br />
She served in Erbil, Kirkuk, and Baghdad.<br />
More Firsts<br />
Josephine Sema’an Ibrahim Haddad<br />
is known as the first Iraqi woman to<br />
obtain a pilot’s license in 1949 and<br />
is generally considered the first Iraqi<br />
woman to fly a plane in Iraq. Another<br />
Josephine, Josephine Ghazaleh, is reportedly<br />
the first Iraqi female engineer<br />
from Mosul.<br />
Beatrice Ohanessian was an Iraqi<br />
Armenian pianist, noted as Iraq’s first<br />
concert pianist and first female composer.<br />
Dr. Abdullah Kassir, the first<br />
Iraqi doctor to obtain a specialty from<br />
London, was a Christian from Mosul.<br />
Jerjees Aziza was the owner of the first<br />
printing and publishing company in<br />
Baghdad in 1938.<br />
Faraj Basmachi was a professor,<br />
archeologist, and director of the Iraqi<br />
Museum. Yousif Yacqoub Miskoni was<br />
a Chaldean historian and researcher.<br />
Abd al-Masih Wazir excelled in literature<br />
and translation and was distinguished<br />
as a pioneer in the development<br />
of the Arab military dictionary,<br />
which remains to this day. The king of<br />
Iraq’s photographers were Aboush &<br />
Aboush.<br />
The Minister of Finance, Youssef<br />
Rizq-Allah Ghanima, his wife, the activist<br />
Victoria Andrea, and their son<br />
Harith Ghanima, lawyer, writer, and<br />
trade activist, were three blazing suns<br />
that illuminated the paths of knowledge<br />
and culture and were known for<br />
their integrity and dedication to Iraq.<br />
Rani Bashir Sarsam is recorded as<br />
the first Iraqi female to obtain a master’s<br />
degree in mathematics from the<br />
University of Michigan in the United<br />
States. She worked as a teacher at<br />
Queen Alia College in Baghdad.<br />
Notable<br />
Dr. Margaret Bashir Sarsam was a leading<br />
gynecologist in Iraq, born in 1926.<br />
In Kirkuk, she established a hall for<br />
gynecology and a hall for childbirth,<br />
when her father, Dr. Bashir Sarsam,<br />
was the head of the health department<br />
there.<br />
Among the well-known doctors<br />
is Dr. Krikor Astarjian, who has published<br />
books in Arabic on Armenian<br />
history and culture. Dr. Hagop Ghobanian<br />
was a dermatologist and cofounder<br />
of the Red Crescent. He also<br />
helped found the College of Medicine<br />
in Iraq and was awarded the Iraqi Royal<br />
Medal (Mesopotamia Order of the<br />
Second Class) in 1954 in recognition<br />
of his services in the field of medicine.<br />
Other notables include Dr. Karnik Hovhannisyan,<br />
Dr. Gara-Beit, and Dr. Moses<br />
from Mosul.<br />
Dicko Andreos Al-Asfandiar was a<br />
famous and distinguished dentist in<br />
Baghdad. His private clinic was in the<br />
police tunnel area.<br />
Iraqi Armenians<br />
Armenian Christians played an important<br />
role in Iraqi society, and they<br />
were distinguished by their vitality,<br />
industrious skills, and efforts, through<br />
which they rendered great services to<br />
society over a long period of history.<br />
The ancient relations of Armenia<br />
and Iraq extends to the fifth century<br />
BC. Iraq, with its rivers, the Tigris and<br />
Euphrates, was distinguished by its<br />
moderate climate and important geography.<br />
The entry of Christianity into<br />
Iraq in the first and second centuries<br />
AD came to characterize its religious<br />
diversity, rarely found in other countries.<br />
The Armenians used to transport<br />
goods across the Euphrates River by<br />
boat to Babylon, where they were sold.<br />
Many of these merchants and other<br />
Armenians settled in Babylon forming<br />
a large Armenian community. Thereafter,<br />
waves of Armenians came to Iraq<br />
through Iran. They settled in southern<br />
Iraq at first, and an Armenian Diocese<br />
was established in Basra in 1222 AD.<br />
The largest waves of Armenian<br />
immigration to Iraq were in the early<br />
twentieth century, after massacres<br />
committed against them in Armenia<br />
and Turkey forced them out.<br />
The Late Renaissance<br />
The Islamic and Christian cultures coexisted<br />
in Iraq for centuries.<br />
The city of Mosul, Iraq is the home<br />
of Eastern Christianity and the center<br />
of Eastern theology. The historic<br />
presence of bishoprics and churches<br />
of several denominations of Eastern<br />
Christians, whether they are Jacobite,<br />
Syriac Orthodox, Chaldean, or Assyrian,<br />
is evidence of its importance.<br />
Many Iraqi metropolitans known<br />
worldwide who were highly educated<br />
in ecclesiastical and theological sciences<br />
came from Mosul, among them<br />
Bishops: Andrawis Hanna, Timothous<br />
Avram Abboudi, Julius Girges Qandala,<br />
Nasser Estephan Doiy, Thomas Rayis,<br />
Suleiman Al-Sayegh and Raphael Bidawid;<br />
plus Patriarch Zakka Iwaz, Patriarch<br />
Ignatius Aphrem I, and Cardinal<br />
Ignatius Gabriel, who was considered a<br />
main reference for Eastern Christians.<br />
When the national government<br />
was established in 1921 in Iraq under<br />
King Faisal I, monarchy was established.<br />
Iraqi Christians were enjoying<br />
their rights and their participation in<br />
the state, so there were several representatives,<br />
ministers, directors, army<br />
officers, lawyers, and even judges.<br />
Historical Lessons<br />
Iraqi Christians have a rich history of<br />
traditions, contributions, and services<br />
in contemporary Iraq. They remain the<br />
true sons of Iraq, among the original<br />
inhabitants of Mesopotamia — whether<br />
they are Orthodox, Catholic, Chaldean,<br />
Syriac, Assyrian, Jacobite, or<br />
Armenian.<br />
This long history of Arab Christianity,<br />
before and after Islam, leaves no<br />
room for doubt about the Christian’s<br />
authenticity, capacity, and special<br />
place in the Arab identity system that<br />
makes up the nation.<br />
The Muslims in Iraq should be<br />
proud of Iraqi’s Christians. The archdioceses,<br />
churches, monasteries, and<br />
hermitages of Iraqi Christianity are<br />
among the wealth of the ancient treasures<br />
that must be preserved. Iraqi society<br />
and laws must ensure and protect<br />
the peaceful characteristics, customs<br />
and traditions of all communities and<br />
not face the tidal waves of violence<br />
that threaten the future of Iraq.<br />
Author Faris Kamal Nadhmi stated<br />
that, “The Christian minority played<br />
the role of the civilized majority in Iraq<br />
and the Christians have always been<br />
the most civilized majority with their<br />
actual practices of values, reason,<br />
tolerance, and freedom, in contrast to<br />
other societal groups that remained<br />
fond to one degree or another of unseen<br />
values, monopolizing the truth<br />
and guardianship over people’s wills<br />
and freedoms.”<br />
Despite all these virtues, Christians<br />
of Iraq spent the past twenty years systematically<br />
paying the bloody, violent<br />
price of the US invasion in 2003 that<br />
resulted in the cross-radicalization of<br />
two irrationals: colonial capitalism,<br />
and Islamic fundamentalism.<br />
The Christians of Iraq—whether<br />
they like it or not—are positioned at<br />
the heart of this raging conflict alongside<br />
their peers of rationalists and the<br />
enlightened. What is happening today<br />
in Baghdad and the rest of Iraq is a<br />
struggle between the values of progress<br />
and civilization and the values<br />
of fanaticism and pre-civilization. It<br />
is a struggle between two cultures,<br />
between two social philosophical perspectives,<br />
and therefore a cultural and<br />
value conflict between two ways of life.<br />
Uncertain Future<br />
The Christians in Iraq have suffered<br />
massively from ongoing Western invasions<br />
of the region. Ironically, many of<br />
these US/UK inspired invasions were<br />
strongly supported by Christian Zionists<br />
and evangelicals who have done<br />
more to displace Christianity, including<br />
the native Iraqi Christian community,<br />
from its historic birthplace than<br />
anyone else.<br />
Clearly what is happening is wrong<br />
and the only reason it is being tacitly<br />
allowed is people feel it is far away<br />
and ‘over there.’ However, hate travels<br />
faster than ever in these connected<br />
times so nothing stays in one region<br />
and ‘over there’ will be ‘everywhere’ at<br />
any point.<br />
Until the world wakes up from its<br />
politically correct coma, looks to the<br />
root cause of ISIS/ISIL, and comes to<br />
grip with the facts, violence will continue<br />
and likely lead to the end of<br />
Christianity in Iraq.<br />
His Beatitude Cardinal Louis<br />
Raphaël Sako summed it up well when<br />
he addressed Iraqi officials in November<br />
2022 about the transgressions<br />
against Iraqi Christians and deliberate<br />
exclusion since 2003.<br />
“The list is long,” said Cardinal<br />
Sako. “These immoral behaviors will<br />
remain in the memory unless they<br />
are addressed. In the Nineveh Plain,<br />
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued on page 49<br />
40 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 41
نُخبة من الرواد األوائل الذين خدموا العراق<br />
1. الدكتور متي عقراوي: أول رئيس لجامعة بغداد من مسيحيي املوصل، ورائد<br />
وعراب التعليم اإللزامي يف العراق.<br />
2. الدكتور حنا بهنام خياط: أول وزير للصحة يف الدولة العراقية الحديثة عام<br />
1922. وأيضا أول عميد عراقي لكلية الطب امللكية العراقية )1934(<br />
3. الدكتور نوري يوسف مريي: أول عميد عراقي لكلية الصيدلة يف جامعة<br />
بغداد 1959 سافر اىل امريكا عام 1961 وأصبح عميدا لكلية الصيدلة يف جامعة<br />
لونك ايالند – نيويورك. من مواليد بغداد 1928 خريج جامعة بغداد وحاصل<br />
عىل شهادة الدكتوراه يف علم العقاقري من جامعة اوهايو ستيت 1954<br />
4. بولينا حسون: أول امرأة عراقية تصدر صحيفة نسوية )ليىل( يف بغداد.4<br />
5. ميخائيل تييس: مؤلف أول مجلة كوميدية.5<br />
6. املحامي ناظم بطرس: أول مذيع يف العهد املليك.6<br />
7. جوزفني سمعان ابراهيم حداد: أول امرأة عراقية تحصل عىل إجازة طيار<br />
كابنت عام 1949. تعترب أول امرأة عراقية تقود طائرة يف العراق.<br />
8. الدكتورة ملك رزوق غنام: مواليد بغداد 1907 أول طبيبة يف العراق.<br />
أصبحت أول فتاة عراقية تلتحق بكلية الطب منذ تأسيسها عام 1927،<br />
وتخرجت من كلية الطب عام 1939<br />
9. الدكتور نعيم رصافة: ولد عام 1906 وخريج جامعة وأين ستيت يف الواليات<br />
املتحدة عام 1961 وعمل كوكيل لوزير املعارف ومدير التعليم الثانوي يف الستينات<br />
من القرن املايض وله مؤلفات وكتب تعليمية ملدريس الثانويات يف العراق.<br />
10. الدكتور سليامن غزالة ولد عام 1853 أول طبيب عراقي )باملعنى الحديث(<br />
من مسيحيي املوصل وتخرج من باريس<br />
11. الدكتورة آنا ستيان: من أوائل الطبيبات العراقيات املعينات من قبل وزارة<br />
الصحة، وهي أرمنية، وكانت أول فتاة عراقية تدخل كلية الطب يف بغداد<br />
وتخرجت عام 1939. الدكتورة )آنا ستيان( هي ابنة املحامي )كريوب ستيان(.<br />
ولدت يف بغداد عام 1914 وتخرجت من كلية الطب الجامعة األمريكية<br />
يف بريوت عام 1937 وعادت إىل وطنها. تم تعيينها كأول طبيبة عراقية يف<br />
املستشفى املليك عام 1939<br />
12. الدكتورة سريانوش الريحاين: من مواليد املوصل عام 1921 ومتزوجة<br />
من املهندس زيك الريحاين. أكملت تعليمها االبتدايئ يف املوصل ودخلت كلية<br />
الطب يف جامعة بغداد عام 1945 وتخرجت عام 1950. أول طبيبة عراقية<br />
تتخرج من كلية الطب يف بغداد رغم أن آنا ستيان أرمنية تخرجت قبلها من<br />
بريوت.<br />
13. جوزفني غزالة: أول مهندسة عراقية من املوصل.13<br />
14. بياتريس أوهانيسيان )1927 – 2008( عازفة بيانو أرمنية عراقية، اشتهرت<br />
بكونها أول عازفة بيانو يف العراق وأول ملحنة موسيقية.<br />
15. الدكتور عبد الله قصري: وأول طبيب عراقي حصل عىل التخصص من لندن<br />
كان من املوصل.<br />
16. جرجيس عزيزة: صاحب الرشكة األوىل للطباعة والنرش بغداد 1938<br />
17. عبد املسيح وزير: برع يف األدب والرتجمة ومتيز بأنه رائد يف تطوير<br />
املعجم العسكري العريب الذي ال يزال قامئا حتى يومنا هذا.<br />
18. يوسف رزق الله غنيمة: وزير املالية يف 7 حكومات خالل سنوات امللكية<br />
19. روز فرانسيس: كاتبة بارعة، لها أبحاث متنوعة يف االقتصاد املنزيل<br />
والتاريخ وعلم االجتامع. أرسلتها وزارة الرتبية إىل الجامعة األمريكية يف<br />
بريوت إلكامل دراستها حيث درست ملدة سنة ثم سافرت إىل إنجلرتا<br />
لتتخصص يف العلوم الرتبوية والنفسية.<br />
20. مريم نرمة رومايا: صحفية معروفة )1890-1972(: هي مريم روفائيل<br />
يوسف رومايا أول صحفية عراقية تدخل مجال الصحافة عام 1921. ويف<br />
عام 1937 أصدرت صحيفة )فتاة العرب(.<br />
21. رنا بشري رسسم )مواليد 1923(: هي أول فتاة عراقية تحصل عىل<br />
درجة املاجستري يف الرياضيات من جامعة ميشيغان يف الواليات املتحدة<br />
األمريكية. عملت مدرّسة يف كلية امللكة علياء يف بغداد.<br />
22. الدكتورة مارغريت بشري رسسم: رائدة يف أمراض النساء يف العراق من<br />
مواليد 1926. يف كركوك أنشأت قاعة لألمراض النسائية، وصالة للوالدة،<br />
عندما كان والدها الدكتور بشري رسسم رئيساً لدائرة الصحة هناك.<br />
23. الدكتورة سعاد يوسف مريي: مواليد 1933 خريجة كلية الطب جامعة<br />
بغداد عام 1959 ومن أوائل الطبيبات التي خدمت يف املحافظات أربيل<br />
وكركوك وبغداد.<br />
24. أوهانيس مراديان: طبيب أرمني يف مجال الطب. وأول من أدخل<br />
التطعيم ضد الجدري إىل بغداد.<br />
25. الدكتور هاكًوب غوبانيان: طبيب أمراض جلدية، ومؤسس مشارك<br />
ملنظمة الهالل األحمر، أحد مؤسيس كلية الطب يف العراق وحاصل عىل<br />
الوسام املليك العراقي )وسام وادي الرافدين من الدرجة الثانية عام 1954(<br />
تقديراً لجهوده خدمات يف مجال الطب.<br />
الدكتور بهنام أبو الصوف ولد يف املوصل عام 1931<br />
ونشأ يف كنف أرسة أبو الصوف املوصلية املعروفة، التي<br />
تسكن محلة باب النبي وهي من إحياء املوصل القدمية<br />
وتقع بالقرب من مناطق تاريخية وأثرية. وكانت نشأته<br />
يف بيئة غنية بآثار املايض، وقصص األبطال، كان لها األثر<br />
الكبري يف توجهه إىل عامل اآلثار، وكان يف مرحلتي الطفولة<br />
واملراهقة مهتام بقراءة االساطري وكتب التاريخ، كام<br />
كان ميارس رياضة كامل األجسام، والسباحة، وكان يحلم<br />
بوظيفة مليئة باملخاطر واألرسار والبطوالت، ويتطلّع اىل<br />
ان يصبح طياراً أو بحاراً، وهذا ما رفضته ارسته بشدة.<br />
بعد إنهاء دراسته اإلعدادية يف املوصل عام 1951<br />
التحق بقسم االثار والحضارة يف جامعة بغداد وتخرج<br />
منها عام 1955. وبعد خمسة اعوام أي يف عام 1960<br />
سافر اىل بريطانيا مبنحة دراسية يف جامعة كمربيدج التي<br />
حصل منها عىل درجة الدكتوراه بامتياز يف موضوع جذور<br />
الحضارة وعلم األجناس البرشية عام 1966.<br />
يف اواسط ستينيات القرن املايض عاد إىل العراق ليعمل<br />
يف التنقيب عن اآلثار يف عدد من املواقع وسط العراق<br />
وشامله، كام دَرّس لسنوات مادة “جذور الحضارة واآلثار<br />
والتاريخ” يف جامعتي بغداد واملوصل وغريهام من الجامعات<br />
العراقية، ويف معهد التاريخ العريب للدراسات العليا التابع<br />
التحاد املؤرخني العرب ومقره بغداد، كام أرشف عىل عدد<br />
من الرسائل الجامعية لطلبة عراقيني وعرب.<br />
ويف السبعينيات، تم تعيينه مديراً عاماً آلثار الشامل،<br />
وهو املنصب الذي منحه املسؤولية الكاملة عن شامل<br />
العراق بأكمله، مبا يف ذلك آشور القدمية. عمل أبو الصوف<br />
يف أعامل التنقيب اإلنقاذية يف حوض واسع يف سد حمرين<br />
)محافظة دياىل( وسد املوصل عىل نهر دجلة يف أواخر<br />
السبعينيات وحتى منتصف الثامنينيات وكشف عن عدة<br />
مواقع أثرية منها تل الصوان يف سامراء )محافظة صالح<br />
الدين(، والذي يعود إىل العرص الحجري. كام قاد عمله<br />
يف موقع قينج آغا بالقرب من قلعة أربيل للكشف عن<br />
مجموعة واسعة من األدلة األثرية من فرتة أوروك.<br />
تبوأ الدكتور ابو الصوف عددا من املناصب العلمية<br />
واإلدارية يف هيئة اآلثار والرتاث، وشارك يف العديد<br />
من مؤمترات اآلثار، ويف حلقات دراسية داخل العراق<br />
وخارجه، كام دعي إللقاء محارضات يف جامعات أمريكية<br />
وأوربية يف موضوع آثار العراق وحضارته وعن نتائج<br />
تنقيباته، ونرش بحوثا ودراسات، وتقارير علمية عن<br />
نتائج أعامله امليدانية ودراساته املقارنة يف مجالت علمية<br />
عراقية وأجنبية، وله مؤلفات عديدة منها فخار عرص<br />
أوروك: النشأة واالنتشار )لغة إنجليزية(، وظل الوادي<br />
القديم )لغة عربية(، والعراق: وحدة األرض والحضارة<br />
واإلنسان )لغة عربية(.<br />
متي عقراوي – )-1901 1981( أكادميي<br />
عراقي وأول رئيس لجامعة بغداد<br />
ولد متي يوسف حنا عقراوي يف املوصل سنة 1901،<br />
وفيها أكمل دراسته االبتدائية واملتوسطة ومنذ صباه<br />
تعلم الفرنسية يف إحدى املدارس الدينية الكنسية. سافر<br />
إىل بريوت ودخل إعدادية الجامعة األمريكية سنة 1920<br />
وتخرج وعهد إليه بإلقاء الخطاب الوداعي يف حفل<br />
التخرج. تخرج يف كلية اآلداب والعلوم من الجامعة ذاتها<br />
حاصال عىل بكالوريوس يف الرتبية سنة 1925. التحق بكلية<br />
املعلمني يف الواليات املتحدة األمريكية بني سنتي -1925<br />
1926 ودرس الرتبية، ويف سنة 1934 حصل عىل الدكتوراه<br />
من جامعة كولومبيا يف الواليات املتحدة األمريكية.<br />
من الرتبويني العراقيني الرواد الذين كان لهم دور فاعل<br />
يف تأسيس الكيان الرتبوي والجامعي يف العراق. كام كان له<br />
دور يف الحركة العربية يف بدايات النهضة الفكرية الحديثة<br />
يف العراق مطلع القرن العرشين. عمل أستاذا للرتبية ومديرا<br />
للرتبية، وعميدا لدار املعلمني العالية. وأسهم إسهاما كبريا<br />
يف تأسيس جامعة بغداد، وعني أول رئيس لها للمدة من 5<br />
ترشين األول سنة 1957 ولغاية 1 من آب سنة 1958<br />
انغمس الدكتور متي عقراوي يف نشاطات ثقافية<br />
وتربوية عامة، وأصبح سكرترياً )لجمعية الثقافة العربية(<br />
سنة 1931، كام كان عضواً يف نادي القلم العراقي الذي<br />
تأسس سنة 1934، ويف سنة 1946 اختري عضوا عامال يف<br />
املجمع العلمي العراقي وقد كان من الذين عملوا من<br />
اجل تأسيس مطبعة خاصة باملجمع منذ وقت مبكر من<br />
تأسيسه يف نهاية الحرب العاملية األوىل، وكان إىل جانبه<br />
يف اللجنة التي تشكلت للنظر يف تأسيس املطبعة األستاذ<br />
محمد بهجت األثري واألستاذ الدكتور جواد عيل.<br />
يف سنة 1955 استدعي األستاذ الدكتور متي عقراوي<br />
مع األستاذ الدكتور إسامعيل القباين لدراسة واقع التعليم<br />
يف الكويت ووضع املقرتحات لتطويره وأنجزا تقريرًا مهًام<br />
نرش بعنوان: “ تقرير عن التعليم يف الكويت “ صدر يف<br />
1955 ويعد من التقارير املتميزة التي ارتكز عليها البنيان<br />
التعليمي يف دولة الكويت فيام بعد. كام أنه يعد من<br />
املصادر املهمة يف كتابة تاريخ التعليم الوطني يف الكويت.<br />
عمل يف منظمة اليونسكو مدة تسع سنوات إىل<br />
سنة 1957 حني أصبح رئيسً ا لجامعة بغداد 1957-1958<br />
وبعد إعفائه من منصب رئيس جامعة بغداد بعد وقوع<br />
انقالب 14 متوز 1958، عاد للعمل يف منظمة اليونسكو<br />
فأصبح ممثلها يف األمم املتحدة 1959-1961. عمل يف<br />
الجامعة األمريكية ببريوت خالل السنوات )1963-1971(<br />
وبعدها أحيل عىل التقاعد ليتفرغ للعمل البحثي.<br />
نال خالل حياته العديد من األوسمة والتكرميات،<br />
منها حصوله عىل وسام الرافدين سنة 1953 ووسام<br />
الخدمة املمتازة من كلية املعلمني يف الواليات املتحدة<br />
األمريكية سنة 1960، ووسام االستحقاق” درجة فارس”<br />
من الحكومة اللبنانية 1970.<br />
الرواد األوائل يف القرن العرشين:<br />
العراق ليس العراق إذا استثنينا من ذاكرته الجامعية<br />
كبار الشخصيات التنويرية املسيحية مثل املؤرخني<br />
واألكادمييني والعلامء واألطباء والصيادلة واملحامني<br />
والكتاب والصحفيني وعلامء اآلثار والشعراء والفنانني<br />
والرياضيني وغريهم، وال ميكننا أن ننىس عدداً مميزاً من<br />
املثقفني املسيحيني العراقيني قدموا مساهمة حقيقية<br />
يف تقدم وتطور األمة العراقية بعد نشأتها األوىل يف<br />
أوائل القرن العرشين وآخرون قدموا للعراق والعراقيني<br />
خدمات ال تنىس يف القرن املايض سيام يف مجال<br />
العلم والتعليم إذ كان املعلمني املسيحيني مشهورين<br />
مبعرفتهم العميقة للتأريخ واملجتمع وأدائهم الدؤوب<br />
ومصداقيتهم وحبهم ملهنتهم وتربّت أجيال عراقية<br />
بأكملها عىل أيادي مربني ومعاهد تعليمية مسيحية<br />
غرست حب العلم واملعرفة يف أجيال من الطالب<br />
وتكوين مجموعة نرية من العراقيني األكفاء.<br />
ومن املؤكد أن هناك اآلالف غريهم من العراقيني<br />
والعراقيات الذين كان لهم دور يف بناء العراق وتطويره<br />
عرب العصور املختلفة مع مواطنيهم من كافة االنتامءات<br />
القومية والدينية واملذهبية، ولكن ضمن مساحة مقالتنا<br />
املحدودة نعتذر لعدم ذكرهم جميعاً، وأن نسجل أسامء<br />
قلة من املسيحيني الذين كانوا األوائل خالل القرن<br />
العرشين ومنذ تأسيس اململكة العراقية، وجميعهم كانوا<br />
شموس وكواكب أضاءت دروب املعرفة والثقافة وعرفوا<br />
بالنزاهة واإلخالص للعراق.<br />
ونحن إذ نقف أمام بوابة الذكريات نأمل أن<br />
يجد القارئ يف هذه املقالة اسرتجاع للتاريخ ولو بقدر<br />
محدود ليكون درسا للمستقبل وشهادة نزيهة عن دور<br />
الرواد املسيحيني الذين جمعوا فيام بينهم ابداعات<br />
العامل القديم والوسيط والحديث وتكتسب هذه<br />
الشهادة أهميتها من كونها تقدم تأريخ تعززه األسانيد<br />
واإلثباتات عن تأريخ وأدوار املكونات يف هندسة وبناء<br />
اركان املجتمع العراقي بغية تطويره ليكون درساً<br />
وامتداداً للمدرسة النهضوية العراقية التي مثلت أحد<br />
أبرز وجوه الجانب املرشف لعراق الحضارة والتاريخ يف<br />
مطلع القرن املايض.<br />
وكم من املحزن ان يعارص جيلنا غياب وتهجري ما<br />
تبقى من املسيحيني العراقيني يف سنوات القهر والجمر<br />
ونجدهم ينقرضون وهم يدافعون عن وجودهم<br />
التاريخي وسط مجتمع متزمت غداّر وامام مصري مجهول<br />
وما يالقونه من اعتداءات ظاملة مل يألفوا مثلها ابدا مذ<br />
وجدوا يف بالد الرافدين منذ االف السنني. ومن املؤسف<br />
أيضاً أن نرى تغري هوية العراق والرشق األوسط يف القرن<br />
الواحد والعرشين اىل هوية أحادية فاقدة لكافة امتيازات<br />
التنوع والتعدد التي كانت تشكل رأسامل وكنوز خزانه<br />
الوطن ثقافة وفنّا، وفكراً.<br />
هذه كانت ذكريات ال تخلوا من الفخر والقهر يف ذكر<br />
تأريخ أبناء العراق سيام وأن ماحل باملكونات بعد 2003 ال<br />
يدعو للحزن والشجن فقط، بل للرثاء والبكاء حيث عملت<br />
أيادي السلب والنهب ما عملت يف الرتهيب والتهجري<br />
ومن املؤسف ان نرى كيف تذبل وتيبس وتهمل فسائل<br />
ومكونات الوطن ومن الغريب ان ال يحتضنهم وينصفهم<br />
وطنهم ويقّدر وُيثمن ويحتضن علامء وأبناء العراق يف<br />
بلدان الغرب وهم ملح العراق ومن طني وادي الرافدين.<br />
وهكذا بعدما مييض الوقت تبقى الذكريات<br />
مرآة للاميض وشاهد للمستقبل تحيك قصة األقليات<br />
والنكسات التي تعرضوا لها فبقي منهم من بقي ورحل<br />
من رحل وبغيابهم تراجع دور بقية املكونات وضعفت<br />
قدرات العراق وبات هدفا للطامع والغريب، ومن املهم<br />
واملطلوب هو استيعاب الدرس والبدء مبراجعة وتقويم<br />
األخطاء من اجل خلق أجواء مواطنة رصينة وبناء جسور<br />
مجتمعية ثابتة واسرتجاع قيمة وهيبة وكرامة االنسان.<br />
ويكفينا فخراً أن قصص وإنجازات الرواد كانت<br />
وستبقى شموس ساطعة يف سامء الوطن لتذكّرنا بأن<br />
الذكريات لها أهميتها، ولكن الحارض هو املنصة التي<br />
نعيش عليها ويجب أن نستثمرها يف خلق ذكريات<br />
جديدة تضاف إىل رسد حياتنا وتوسيع افاقنا وتأثرينا<br />
حيثام كنا وأينام حللنا يف الواليات املتحدة أو ديار<br />
املهجر. وعلينا أن ندرك بأن الحارض هو املكان الذي<br />
نعيش فيه وهو الذي سيصبح ذاكرة نحتفظ بها عندما<br />
مييض الزمان وتستمر الحياة يف التقدم، وواجبنا أن<br />
نسعى لخلق ذكريات ملهمة تعيش معنا ومع األجيال<br />
القادمة كدليل واضح عىل غنى تراثنا وتاريخنا وتبقى<br />
من بعدنا يف ضامئر وقلوب اآلخرين ومتكن العراقيني<br />
من استعادة سيادة وكرامة وطنهم وأن يكملوا سفرة<br />
الحياة ما بقي بينهم دجلة والفرات.<br />
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued from page 39<br />
42 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION<br />
Educational programs<br />
Registration now open!<br />
Please call for an appointment.<br />
ALL NATIONALITIES<br />
WELCOME!<br />
CITIZENSHIP<br />
PREPARATION<br />
LITTLE<br />
SCHOLARS<br />
PRESCHOOL AND<br />
PRE-KINDERGARTEN<br />
Offers instruction and training for successful completion<br />
of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)<br />
Naturalization interview.<br />
January 9, <strong>2024</strong> – March 21, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Prepares children for kindergarten through a variety<br />
of emergent literacy, early learning and development<br />
opportunities.<br />
September 16, <strong>2024</strong> - June 13, 2025<br />
GED<br />
(HIGH SCHOOL<br />
EQUIVALENCY DEGREE)<br />
ENGLISH<br />
AS A SECOND<br />
LANGUAGE<br />
Small group instruction in math, science, social<br />
studies, and reading language arts for individuals<br />
working towards their GED.<br />
February 12, <strong>2024</strong> – June 28, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Provides individuals English instruction at basic/beginner and<br />
intermediate/advanced levels.<br />
February 5, <strong>2024</strong> – June 28, <strong>2024</strong><br />
WANT TO LEARN MORE? Please contact Rachel Hall<br />
at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253<br />
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 43
CHALDEAN DIGEST<br />
PHOTO BY SYRIAC PRESS<br />
The aftermath of the strikes that killed Karam Mikhail and Peshraw Dizayee.<br />
Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam Mikhail<br />
killed in Iranian missile attack on Erbil<br />
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East<br />
suffered an escalation recently as Iran’s<br />
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps<br />
(IRGC) launched ballistic missiles targeting<br />
a residential area of Erbil, Kurdistan<br />
Region of Iraq (KRI). The regional<br />
security council reports that at least<br />
four perished and six were injured in<br />
the eight blasts that rocked the area.<br />
One of those killed was Chaldean–<br />
Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam<br />
Mikhail, who was visiting the home<br />
of Kurdish multimillionaire Peshraw<br />
Dizayee, also killed in the attack.<br />
In the aftermath of the attacks,<br />
Iraq recalled its ambassador from Tehran<br />
for consultations and summoned<br />
Iran’s charge d’affaires in Baghdad.<br />
The United States, condemning the<br />
strikes, added its voice to the growing<br />
international chorus expressing concern<br />
over the escalating situation.<br />
The Iraqi government condemned<br />
what they call Iranian “aggression” in<br />
Erbil and is considering filing a complaint<br />
with the United Nations Security<br />
Council. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br />
spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani,<br />
defended the missile strikes, stating that<br />
Tehran respected the sovereignty and<br />
territorial integrity of other countries but<br />
was exercising its “legitimate and legal<br />
right to deter national security threats.”<br />
The world is watching to see what<br />
happens next.<br />
– Syriac Press<br />
Newly Launched News Channel in Iraq Preserves Syriac<br />
A newly launched television channel, Al-Syriania,<br />
aims to preserve the Syriac language. With funding<br />
from the Iraqi government, the new channel hopes to<br />
strengthen community connections of language and<br />
culture. It is a sister station of Al-Iraqiya, an Arabic<br />
television network that was set up after the fall of the<br />
Saddam Hussein regime.<br />
Based in Baghdad, the new channel has about 40<br />
staff members. It can be viewed throughout Iraq and<br />
through satellite networks such as NilesSat and Arab-<br />
Sat. The news bulletins for the new channel are read<br />
in classical Syriac, but many of the other programs —<br />
which include cinema, art, history, cultural events and<br />
music — are presented in a dialect of the language.<br />
“We have daily segments, like news and morning<br />
shows, and also, documentary programs about the history<br />
of the church and historical sites,” said Jack Anwia,<br />
the station director. “We also play classical Syriac songs<br />
and music, the top-100 movies, and we have correspondents<br />
reporting from the field.”<br />
— Sara Hassan, Theworld.org<br />
Presenters chat with each other on the Al-Syriania broadcast set at the station’s headquarters in Baghdad,<br />
Iraq, Aug. 27, 2023.<br />
PHOTO BY SARA HASSAN/THE WORLD<br />
44 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 45
YOUR<br />
Therapy can be a big step toward being the<br />
healthiest version of yourself and living the best<br />
life possible — our licensed, professional therapists<br />
are here for you to access. Through therapy, you<br />
can change self-destructive behaviors and habits,<br />
resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships,<br />
and share your feelings and experiences. Individuals<br />
often seek therapy for help with issues that may be<br />
hard to face alone.<br />
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY: The CCF and Project Light is<br />
committed to your privacy and confidentiality and are sensitive to<br />
the stigma and stress that come with seeking mental health support.<br />
Therefore, all counseling records are kept strictly confidential.<br />
Information is not shared without client’s written consent. Exceptions<br />
to confidentiality are rare and include persons who threaten safety of<br />
themselves others or in circumstances of a court order.<br />
In therapy your therapist will help you to establish<br />
person centered goals and determine the steps you<br />
will take to reach those goals. Your relationship<br />
with your therapist is confidential and our common<br />
therapeutic goal for those we engage is to inspire<br />
healthy change to improve quality of life — no<br />
matter the challenge.<br />
We invite you seek out the Light of Project Light!<br />
Serving individuals ages 13 years and up. Please call<br />
to request a Project Light Intake at (586) 722-7253.<br />
Looking for a great opportunity to make a difference?<br />
NOW HIRING Behavioral Health Professional Therapists.<br />
— Apply at www.chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
46 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
WE ARE<br />
HIRING<br />
Do you possess a passion for bettering the lives of others?<br />
Join our ever expanding team!<br />
Behavioral Health Case Worker • Behavioral Health Therapist<br />
Case Worker • Citizenship Instructor • Social Media Coordinator<br />
Advocacy<br />
Acculturation<br />
Community Development<br />
Cultural Preservation<br />
For More Information<br />
HR@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
586-722-7253<br />
www.chaldeanfoundation.org/careers<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 47
IN MEMORIAM<br />
Aneesa<br />
Hirmiz Toma<br />
Jul 1, 1941 –<br />
Dec 20, 2023<br />
Jacqueline<br />
Saba Azar<br />
Apr 18, 1957 –<br />
Dec 20, 2023<br />
Teresa Youkhanna<br />
Jul 1, 1929 –<br />
Dec 21, 2023<br />
Rajeena Polus<br />
Anwia<br />
May 2, 1938 –<br />
Dec 22, 2023<br />
Hani Najib Sheeka<br />
Aug 19, 1950 –<br />
Dec 22, 2023<br />
Sami Dawood<br />
Roumaya<br />
Jul 1, 1940 –<br />
Dec 23, 2023<br />
Nabeel Wadeea<br />
Alkaseer<br />
Jul 4, 1944 –<br />
Dec 23, 2023<br />
Waad Putrus<br />
Alkassaphram<br />
Apr 2, 1958 –<br />
Dec 25, 2023<br />
Ghanim Nouri<br />
Qattan<br />
Jul 1, 1939 –<br />
Dec 25, 2023<br />
Zeki Jorj-Poolis<br />
Gabbara<br />
Dec 4, 1955 –<br />
Dec 25, 2023<br />
Shamoon<br />
Yousif Jarbo<br />
Jul 1, 1940 –<br />
Dec 27, 2023<br />
Yako Botres<br />
Jul 1, 1934 –<br />
Dec 28, 2023<br />
Durah Hami<br />
Feb 20, 1951 –<br />
Dec 28, 2023<br />
Sonia Kakos Kejbo<br />
Jan 9, 1972 –<br />
Dec 28, 2023<br />
Jamila Atty Abro<br />
Oct 5, 1930 –<br />
Dec 30, 2023<br />
Nadera Said<br />
Abdulahad<br />
Jul 1, 1933 –<br />
Jan 1, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Benjamin<br />
Shamoon Hanna<br />
Jul 1, 1952 –<br />
Jan 2, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Tyler Anthony<br />
Tomina<br />
Sep 11, 2008 –<br />
Jan 2, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Badria Aziz<br />
Kathawa<br />
Apr 16, 1935 –<br />
Jan 6, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Younis Jaffo<br />
Hakeem<br />
Jul 1, 1935 –<br />
Jan 7, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Terry Christopher<br />
Konja<br />
Dec 23, 1960 –<br />
Jan 7, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Afaf Haddad<br />
Sep 10, 1952 –<br />
Jan 8, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Kathy Mikhana<br />
Jun 20, 1962 –<br />
Jan 9, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Iman Deza Yaldo<br />
Dec 3, 1965 –<br />
Jan 9, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Fikrat Jamil<br />
Romaya<br />
Oct 21, 1951 –<br />
Jan 10, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Khami Shamon<br />
Jul 1, 1940 –<br />
Jan 10, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Nora Iskander<br />
Musa<br />
Dec 18, 1935 –<br />
Jan 11, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Habib Lazar<br />
Shamon Sana<br />
Jul 1, 1943 –<br />
Jan 11, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Shemoun Isho<br />
Bidawid<br />
Jul 1, 1930 –<br />
Jan 11, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Nouri Yousif<br />
Toma Damman<br />
May 3, 1934 –<br />
Jan 12, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Juliet Patros<br />
Shounyia<br />
Jul 1, 1934 –<br />
Jan 12, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Faeza Issa<br />
Jul 1, 1938 –<br />
Jan 14, <strong>2024</strong><br />
John T. Abdoian<br />
Mar 20, 1946 –<br />
Jan 15, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Said Karim Mikhail<br />
Kinaya<br />
Nov 1, 1944 –<br />
Jan 16, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Sadoon Jaber<br />
Jabro<br />
Jul 1, 1954 –<br />
Jan 16, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Majdoline Zia<br />
Summa Cholagh<br />
Jul 1, 1940 –<br />
Jan 17, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Azhar Faraj Dally<br />
Aug 28, 1968 –<br />
Jan 17, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Jarjis Jajo<br />
Jun 28, 1946 –<br />
Jan 19, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Saleemah Hirmiz<br />
Altony Al-Ton<br />
Jul 1, 1937 –<br />
Jan 20, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Iftekhar Kaji<br />
Hedow<br />
Sep 30, 1962 –<br />
Jan 21, <strong>2024</strong><br />
48 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS<br />
Authorized Agent for:<br />
Phone: (248) 851-2227<br />
(248) 851-BCBS<br />
Fax: (248) 851-2215<br />
rockyhpip1@aol.com<br />
ROCKY H. HUSAYNU<br />
Professional Insurance Planners<br />
Individual & Group Health Plans<br />
Medicare Supplement Plans<br />
31000 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110<br />
Farmington Hills, Ml 48334<br />
Over 44 years of experience.<br />
Gabe Gabriel<br />
Associate Broker,<br />
Certified ABR, SFR<br />
29444 Northwestern Hwy, ste. 110<br />
Southfield, Michigan 48034<br />
Office (248) 737-9500<br />
Direct (248) 939-1985<br />
Fax (248) 737-1868<br />
Email MortgageGabe@aol.com<br />
Angela Kakos<br />
Producing Branch Manager - VP of Mortgage Lending<br />
o: (248) 622-0704<br />
rate.com/angelakakos<br />
angela.kakos@rate.com<br />
2456 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit<br />
nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply • Angela Kakos<br />
NMLS ID: 166374<br />
Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service<br />
Experience • Knowledge • Personal Service<br />
TOP 1% OF REALTORS<br />
2015 REAL ESTATE<br />
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Office (248) www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com<br />
Office 737-6800 (248)737-6800 • Mobile (248)752-4010 (248) 752-4010<br />
Email: Toll brianyaldoo@remax.net<br />
Free (866) 762-3960<br />
Email: brianyaldoo@remax.com www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com<br />
Websites: www.brianyaldoo.com<br />
www.BuyingOrSellingRealEstate.com<br />
Paul M. Al-Attar, M.D.<br />
Orthopedic Spine Surgery<br />
Auburn Hills<br />
3100 Cross Creek Pkwy<br />
Suite 150<br />
248-475-0502<br />
www.msspc.org<br />
855-450-2020<br />
Advertise<br />
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11012 E. 13 Mile Rd<br />
Suite 201<br />
586-582-0760<br />
JACQUELINE RAXTER, LMSW, LPC<br />
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH<br />
PROGRAM MANAGER<br />
in our business directory section!<br />
for As little As $ 85<br />
to place your ad, contact us today! 3601 15 Mile Road<br />
Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
TEL: (586) 722-7253<br />
FAX: (586) 722-7257<br />
phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348<br />
jacqueline.raxter@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101<br />
www.chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
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Jaguar Land Rover Troy<br />
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1815 Maplelawn Drive<br />
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TEL 248-537-7467<br />
MOBILE 248-219-5525<br />
snaoum@suburbancollection.com<br />
ELIAS KATTOULA<br />
CAREER SERVICES MANAGER<br />
3601 15 Mile Road<br />
Sterling Heights, MI 48310<br />
TEL: (586) 722-7253<br />
FAX: (586) 722-7257<br />
elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
www.chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
MARIAM ABDALLA<br />
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STACY THERAPIST BAHRI<br />
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER<br />
3601 3601 15 15 Mile Mile Road Road<br />
Sterling Sterling Heights, Heights, MI MI 48310 48310<br />
TEL:<br />
TEL: (586) (586) 722-7253 722-7253<br />
FAX:<br />
FAX: (586) (586) 722-7257 722-7257<br />
mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
www.chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
www.chaldeanfoundation.org<br />
IRAQI INFLUENCE<br />
continued from page 40<br />
the concerns of Christians increased<br />
so much that they began to emigrate<br />
again. I was told Christian families<br />
from the Nineveh Plain leave Iraq at<br />
a rate of 20 families per month due to<br />
the chaos, fragmentation, and favoritism<br />
created by sectarian militias.<br />
“How could a Christian or Muslim<br />
who believes in God commit such<br />
transgressions?<br />
“Who will protect these peaceful<br />
Christians who are loyal to their homeland<br />
if the state does not protect them?<br />
These are painful violations, and they<br />
have repercussions on Iraq’s reputation.<br />
“With agony, I say if you do not<br />
wish us to remain equal citizens in our<br />
country, Iraq, then be honest about it.<br />
So that we can manage ourselves before<br />
it is too late.”<br />
It is notable that every civilized<br />
and historical prosperity was based<br />
on peaceful coexistence, and every<br />
regression was accompanied by religious<br />
or sectarian tension. The Christian<br />
citizens of Iraq built Iraq as Iraqis,<br />
and today they are unfortunately deprived<br />
of their rights and their homeland.<br />
Ultimately the Middle East must<br />
transition to a moderate democracy<br />
that respects minority law. However,<br />
this is so far from the currency cycle of<br />
dictatorship and radicalism that it will<br />
take generations to achieve that.<br />
The consequences of these events<br />
are going to be played out over the<br />
next 50 years. Unfortunately, the minorities<br />
in Iraq and the Middle East<br />
will pay the ultimate price for this<br />
transition. It is certain that Christians<br />
will be the biggest losers of this uncertain<br />
outcome.<br />
Acknowledgement of sources and<br />
excerpts from articles by Iraqi historian<br />
and writers Dr. Sayyar Al-Jamil,<br />
Siroor Mahmoud Mirza, Dr. Omar<br />
Al-Kubaisi, Professor Raad Estefan,<br />
Nizar Osachi, Faris Kamal Nadhmi,<br />
Douglas Martin NY Times, Wikipedia,<br />
Facebook, authors Hanna Batatu,<br />
Habib Hannona, Kamal Yaldo, Silva<br />
Seroubien, and other contributors.<br />
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 49
FROM THE ARCHIVE<br />
Celebrating<br />
Marriage<br />
T<br />
hese beautiful archival<br />
photos supplied by the<br />
Chaldean Cultural Center<br />
show the joy and promise of<br />
marriages blessed by God.<br />
From the top, pictured are the<br />
weddings of: Vickie George and<br />
Badie Atchoo; Dr. Nathima and<br />
Dr. Peter Atchoo; and Michael<br />
and Andrea Gabbara. Shaw and<br />
Mary Hakim are pictured in the<br />
oval on the right. If you have<br />
archival photos you’d like to<br />
submit for consideration, please<br />
send them, along with captions,<br />
to edit@chaldeannews.com.<br />
The Chaldean Cultural Center and Museum owns a collection of captivating images from our vibrant community that<br />
we are delighted to share with the Chaldean News. If you have photographs that you would like us to incorporate into<br />
our archive, kindly reach out to us at info@chaldeanculturalcenter.org or call 248-681-5050.<br />
50 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
<strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 51
52 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>