AUGUST 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 ISSUE VII AUGUST 2024
Chaldean
Convention
CHURCH
OF THE
MARTYRS
ASSEMBLES
IN GRAND
RAPIDS
Featuring:
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Chaldean Youth Camp
Sahara Restaurant

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | AUGUST 2024 | VOL. 21 ISSUE VII
ON THE COVER
20 Chaldean Convention
Church of the Martyrs Assembles
By Hayley Gappy
FEATURES
24 Chaldean Youth Camp
10 Years of Camp
By Grace Alkatib
26 Preparing for Success
20 Years of August
By Sarah Kittle
28 How Does Your Garden Grow?
Fall Gardening Tips
By Sarah Kittle
DEPARTMENTS
6 From the Editor
Preparation
By Sarah Kittle
8 Guest Column
Talal Mukhtar
10 Foundation Update
CCF Gala Honors Bishop Ibrahim,
David Shammas Scholarship
12 Legal Update
Deportation Lawsuit Settled
By N. Peter Antone
14 Noteworthy
Chaldean Story, Securatech, Randi Hermiz
16 Chaldean Digest
Bishops Synod, Adoration Chapel
18 Iraq Today
Justice for Crimes Against Yazidis
30 Economics & Enterprise
Sapphire Builds Big
By Paul Natinsky
34 Culture & History
Plight of the Yazidis Part 2
By Dr. Adhid Miri
37 Culture & History
Plight of the Yazidis Part 2 (Arabic)
By Dr. Adhid Miri
52 Health & Wellness
Immunotherapy
By Dr. Samir Jamil
58 Sports
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Golf
By Steve Stein
60 In Memoriam
62 Event
7th Annual Salute to Patriots
20
40 Bishop of Alqoush
Candid Conversation
By Dr. Adhid Miri
47 Bishop of Alqoush
(Arabic Translation)
Candid Conversation
By Dr. Adhid Miri
54 Sahara Restaurant
Making Chaldean Food Mainstream
By Cal Abbo
62
X
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHED BY
Chaldean News, LLC
Chaldean Community Foundation
Martin Manna
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Sarah Kittle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cal Abbo
Grace Alkatib
N. Peter Antone
Hayley Gappy
Dr. Samir Jamil
Sarah Kittle
Dr. Adhid Miri
Talal Mukhtar
Paul Natinsky
Steve Stein
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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Phone: (248) 851-8600
Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);
Published monthly; Issue Date: AUGUST 2024
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Postmaster: Send address changes to
“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern
Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334”
Preparation
The word “preparation” resonates with a
myriad of meanings, spanning across various
contexts and actions. In the realm of
culinary arts, preparation embodies the meticulous
planning and gathering of ingredients before
crafting a dish, ensuring everything is in place to
execute a recipe with finesse. It involves chopping,
marinating, and seasoning—each step crucial to
achieving culinary excellence.
Zeana Attisha is intimately acquainted with
preparation. Not only in the kitchen, but in business
as well. In the business world, preparation
entails strategic planning, market research,
and financial analysis to navigate competitive
landscapes and capitalize on opportunities
effectively. In the article about her restaurant
Sahara, Attisha talks about meeting multiple
times with investors before being approved to
move forward with a new location in Detroit.
Beyond the kitchen, preparation extends
into the domain of education, where it signifies the diligent
study and review undertaken before an exam or presentation.
Students engage in note taking, revisiting textbooks, and practicing
problems to fortify their understanding and readiness for
academic challenges. David Shammas exemplifies that preparation
as a success story for the CCF’s scholarship program.
In a broader societal sense, preparation encompasses
the proactive measures taken to anticipate and mitigate
potential risks or challenges. Emergency preparedness involves
training, stockpiling supplies, and conducting drills
to safeguard communities from natural disasters or unforeseen
crises. Unfortunately, no one was doing that for the
Yazidis, who face a real threat of extinction in our lifetimes.
Personal development also hinges on preparation—be
it physical training for athletes (like the Orchard Lake St.
Mary’s High School boys golf team), rehearsing for a performance,
or even setting aside quiet moments for introspection
and self-improvement. The first ever Chaldean Convention,
hosted by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese here in the
SARAH KITTLE
EDITOR
IN CHIEF
U.S., gave the attendees tools to prepare not only to
receive Christ in their hearts, but also to share that
communion and faith with strangers and build a
bigger, stronger Church.
Ultimately, preparation stands as a cornerstone
of success across myriad facets of life, embodying
foresight, dedication, and readiness to confront
challenges head-on. As Americans, this readiness
will prove indispensable in navigating political engagements
and embracing grace and unity regardless
of the outcomes of the upcoming presidential
election.
Preparation encompasses the proactive
measures taken to anticipate and mitigate
potential risks or challenges.
Whether in the kitchen perfecting a recipe, in education
preparing for exams, or in business strategizing for growth,
the discipline of preparation instills confidence and readiness
to tackle challenges with clarity and purpose. Beyond
personal pursuits, societal preparedness ensures collective
safety and resilience against unforeseen adversities.
As we navigate the complexities of our world, embracing
the ethos of preparation equips us not only to thrive individually
but also to contribute meaningfully to our communities
and beyond. It underscores our ability to adapt,
innovate, and forge ahead with resilience and determination,
ensuring that we are always prepared for whatever the
future may hold.
Sarah Kittle
Editor in Chief
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6 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE
As the publication of record for
Michigan’s Chaldean community,
the mission of the Chaldean News
is to preserve and archive Chaldean
heritage and history, and to tell the
ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to
the communities in which we live and work – in
Michigan and around the world.
In the last 5 years the Chaldean News has
substantially increased its readership and social
media following, introduced new digital and website
content and expanded storytelling and video offerings
with the help of small grant funding.
The Publisher’s Circle is a unique opportunity for community
members to support the Chaldean News and its continuing
mission to be a voice for the community, wherever they
may be. With the warmhearted help of individual and
organizational supporters we can ensure that this important
resource remains to educate and connect the community
while evolving to meet the needs of future generations.
The Chaldean News has recently launched a CN app
and will continue to expand into new media such
as radio and TV, all with the goal of preserving our
culture and telling the story of our people. You can
take part in helping to preserve your Chaldean
heritage by joining the Publisher’s Circle today.
Jibran “Jim” Manna
Martin and Tamara Manna
We are grateful for the overwhelmingly
generous support of our community.
To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com
or contact us at 248-851-8600
Let’s grow the circle.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 7

GUEST COLUMN
The Unknown Power of the Chaldean
American Chamber of Commerce
There are many benefits
to joining the Chaldean
American Chamber of
Commerce. There are many
situations that may arise when
you own a business, are an
entrepreneur looking to grow
and learn, or are simply a
member of the community
and may need help and certain
connections.
I recently had the pleasure
of speaking to someone who
owns a gas station in Madison
Heights. During our conversation,
he raised a concern that he
had about a franchise, Sheetz, another
gas station and convenience store that
was trying to open a location across the
street from his station.
Being a station owner myself, I understood
his concern and it encouraged
TALAL
MUKHTAR
SPECIAL
TO THE
CHALDEAN
NEWS
me to use my connections to
get him some help in trying
to block the buildout. What
many people don’t realize is
that our small businesses help
keep jobs for our community,
money in our community, and
security in our community.
When a major brand competitor
comes in and tries to take
that, it will impact the surrounding
areas at large.
I contacted the president of
the Chaldean American Chamber
of Commerce, and Sharkey
Haddad, who is their special projects
manager, and shared the concerns of the
station owner. Mr. Haddad then took the
lead in the matter and was able to set up
lunch with himself, me, and the mayor
of Madison Heights, where we expressed
our concerns to her. She understood
the impact of a large franchise coming
in and essentially the financial blow it
would cause the city and many families
in the metropolitan area. She advised
us to come to the city council meeting
where Sheetz would be proposing the
new land development/store.
Afterwards, Mr. Haddad became
proactive in the matter and reached out
to other gas station owners as well as
convenience store owners that would
be impacted. He organized a lunch for
all to join where he then presented to
them the financial (losses) that could
occur if they allowed Sheetz to open.
The business owners all agreed that
they would help in any way possible
to prevent the building of this new gas
station and would join in attending the
city council meeting.
On May 13, 2024, the Madison
Heights city council meeting took place
and over one hundred community members
and business owners attended to
show support and to take the time to
speak on how this new development
would affect the community. Sheetz was
also there to present their side. Posters
were held up during their proposal to
show that the community was not okay
with this new development.
After the city council heard both
sides, they voted in favor of the community
rather than the large corporation
and took the side of keeping the money
in their city. It was a huge victory, and
the comradery was immeasurable.
To watch business competitors come
together for a unified cause was heartwarming.
We have a strong community
and the Chamber proved that its connections
and resources in the political circle
were successful. If it wasn’t for them,
this would not have been possible.
One expressed concern turned into
one impactful victory. This is what it all
comes down to, a group of like-minded
people, working together for the common
good.
We can’t help you
back up a boat trailer.
But we can help you
launch a business.
BIRMINGHAM
Member FDIC
8 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024
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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 9

FOUNDATION
UPDATE
CCF to honor Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim
at 6th Annual Gala
The Chaldean Community Foundation will present Bishop Emeritus of the Chaldean Eparchy of St.
Thomas the Apostle, Ibrahim N. Ibrahim with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award for consistently
demonstrating qualities of compassion, dedication, and service to the community at the 6th Annual
CCF Awards Gala on September 12.
Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim is a dedicated leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church, known for his
extensive service and commitment to his community. Ordained in 1962, he served as a teacher and rector
in Iraq before moving to the U.S., where he became the first Bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese in
1982. Over his tenure, he has worked tirelessly to support Chaldean refugees, preserve Chaldean culture,
and address various community issues, while also fostering stronger ties between generations.
Please join the CCF in celebrating his excellency Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim at the Palazzo Grande.
For sponsorship information contact Jubilee Jackson at 586.722.7253 or jubilee.jackson@chaldeanfoundation.org.
Fall Classes Beginning in September
GED and ESL Classes will be starting at the CCF on September 9, covering Science and Reading Language
Arts for the fall semester. Classes for Science and Social Studies will be offered in the winter semester.
ESL 1 and 2: Pre-Literacy to High Beginner will be offered Monday through Thursday from 1:00pm-
3:00pm. ESL 3: Intermediate will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Rachel Hall at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call 586-722-7253.
Bishop Ibrahim offers the
invocation at the Chaldean
Community Foundation’s 4th
Annual Awards Gala in 2022.
Scholarship Success
Past scholarship winner David Shammas credits CCF’s Career
Services for helping with the FAFSA, working his way through a
Bachelor’s, followed by master’s degree in computer science, and
specializing in Software Engineering from Oakland University.
Born in Baghdad, Shammas arrived in the U.S. in 2013 after
spending 7 years in Syria. With English posing a major barrier,
he completed his high school education and made many friends
with whom he is still in contact today.
“It’s very important to believe in yourself and your abilities,”
shared Shammas. “There might be obstacles along the way, but
with determination and perseverance, you can overcome any
challenge. The journey is just as important as the final goal. Software
is ubiquitous and represents the future. Since moving to the
U.S., I have always aspired to work in this field.”
David Shammas
David was a recipient of the w3r Consulting scholarship fund
in 2020 and is one of the many success stories to come from the
CCF’s Scholarship Program. With increasing demand every year,
the CCF’s Academic Scholarship Program receives hundreds of
applicants vying for their chance to receive a scholarship and
support their efforts at higher education.
Through support from w3r Consulting, Drs. Nathima and Peter
Atchoo Family Foundation, Yvonne Nona Memorial Scholarship
Fund, Abdul Karim and Jameela Sesi Memorial Scholarship
Fund, DA Advisory Group, the Karim and Bernadette Sarafa General
Fund, the Derek Dickow Scholarship Fund, and Alline Salon
Group, the CCF will award more than $80,000 in scholarships to
college students this year. Winners will be awarded at a private
celebration at the Chaldean Community Foundation on August 16.
For more information regarding the Academic Scholarship
program and how you can get involved, please visit
chaldeanfoundation.org/scholarships.
Upcoming Events
ESL Class in session at the CCF.
August 8 - Warren Consolidated Schools Back to School Event
(6:00pm-7:00pm) at the Chaldean Community Foundation, 3601
15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights.
August 22 - Utica Community Schools Back to School Event
(6:00pm-7:00pm) at the Chaldean Community Foundation, 3601
15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights.
10 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 11

LEGAL UPDATE
Lawsuit Prevents Mass Deportation
ACLU is victorious in requesting reviews
BY N. PETER ANTONE
Several weeks ago, the accumulation
of over 7 years of legal battles
concluded, preventing the mass
deportation of about 1,400 Chaldeans.
The settlement of a lawsuit challenging
these deportations will positively
impact over one thousand Chaldean
families, almost all of which have built
their lives on American soil. Despite the
significance of this settlement—a major
victory for these families and the field
of U.S. immigration law—it has not received
significant attention. This major
success and the efforts of those behind
it merit recognition.
In 2017, under the Trump administration,
the U.S. government initiated
efforts to begin the mass deportation of
approximately 1,400 Chaldeans. Many
of these individuals were brought to
this country as children; the majority
neither understand Arabic nor
have any relatives in Iraq, and, for all
practical purposes, would feel and be
treated as complete outsiders if sent
back to Iraq. While some had committed
crimes in the past, many of these
Chaldeans were facing deportation en
masse due to technical, petty immigration
violations some decades ago, infractions
under which our government
would be allowed to revoke their green
cards and deport them after they complete
their sentences.
However, through various administrations,
the U.S. government has
recognized the critical dangers these
Chaldeans would face if sent back to
Iraq, due to sectarian violence and
acute instability. The Iraqi government
has even refused to accept these deportees
back into the country, further
complicating the situation. Because of
this, administrations prior to Trump’s
instituted a temporary hold on any
deportations. Instead of deportation,
some Chaldeans faced extended jail
sentences, awaiting an improvement
of the circumstances in Iraq. Others
were released from prison, on condition
that they report to immigration
services regularly until it was safe to
be deported.
By 2017, the Trump administration
determined that the conditions
in Iraq had improved enough to begin
the deportation proceedings of these
Chaldeans. Following that decision,
many were suddenly arrested and
scheduled to be deported. In the face
of this abrupt development, the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) immediately
filed a lawsuit to stop such
mass deportation. The ACLU argued
that the deportations would cause
harm, torture or even death to many of
these individuals, and that instead of
deportation en masse, each immigrant
should be entitled to an individual
hearing to determine if they qualify for
relief. In addition, the ACLU contended
that each case must be individually
assessed to determine if detention is
warranted or if bail or bond is appropriate.
This recent settlement of the AC-
LU’s lawsuit is a clear victory—each
Chaldean’s case is to be reviewed individually
to determine whether there
are any options available that could
preclude deportation. Thanks to the
efforts of the ACLU and its exceptional
attorney Miriam Aukerman, private
law firms such as Miller Canfield, nonprofits
such as the Chaldean Community
Foundation, Code Legal Aid,
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center,
International Refugee Assistance Project,
and the work of individual legal
scholars such as Professor Margo Schlanger,
these afflicted Chaldeans and
their family members could be spared
the anguish of deportation, separation,
and the inevitable hardships,
discrimination, and even death that
would ensue if deported to Iraq.
Some observers who are not familiar
with these details might ask the
following question: why allow those
who committed violations to stay in
this country? After all, that is the logic
used by many in our government, a
system which intimidates the public
into believing that the more deportations
of violators, the safer we are. But
upon close examination, the reality is
vastly different.
It goes without saying that our
country’s immigration law is very uncompromising;
the same offenses that
would not even warrant a U.S. citizen
to spend a day in jail could, if committed
by an immigrant, lead to their
deportation. As an example, some of
these immigrants under the settlement
were charged with possession of marijuana,
a crime which was illegal many
decades ago. Imagine the injustice
if someone were to be deported and
separated from their families because
of an act that is no longer considered
a crime!
In this case, many of those affected
had committed offenses decades
earlier, some non-violent, and most
have already paid the price to society
in fines or jail time. Brought to this
country as children, most of these
Chaldeans are Americans in all but
name. Unfortunately, under our immigration
system, once an immigrant
is considered a criminal, they will always
be a criminal, with no allowance
for expungements, first offense consideration,
nor for any state remedy.
Deportation of those Chaldeans would
have devastated many families, most
of whom are U.S. citizens.
To be sure, the ACLU settlement
does not grant automatic clemency to
all these immigrants; it only requires
individual assessments of each case
to determine if bond is appropriate
instead of detention, and ultimately,
to determine if each of those charged
should be permitted to relief. By now,
many of these Chaldeans have received
asylum determination or their
green cards back, and some have already
become U.S. citizens.
Congratulations to the ACLU for
this successful settlement with the U.S.
government. The work of the ACLU,
led by attorney Miriam Aukerman and
others, has saved the livelihoods and
dignity of hundreds of Chaldean families
faced with the loss of family members
to deportation.
12 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

A
6
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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For sponsorship inquiries, please call Jubilee Jackson at 586-722-7253 or email
Jubilee.Jackson@chaldeanfoundation.org.

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 21 SPECIAL ISSUE JULY 2024
NOTEWORTHY
Securatech earns
Gold-level Veteran-
Friendly Employer
status from Michigan
Veterans Affairs
Agency
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY
Securatech, a Farmington Hills-based company providing
technology security and monitoring services,
has achieved Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer
status from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
(MVAA).
“Achieving Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer
status is a significant milestone for Securatech,” said
Rudy Patros, chief executive officer and president of
Securatech. “This recognition underscores our commitment
to supporting veterans by providing meaningful
employment opportunities and fostering an
inclusive workplace where their unique skills and experiences
are valued and utilized. We are dedicated
to ensuring that veterans can thrive and continue to
serve our community with the same dedication they
demonstrated in their military service.”
Left: Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency Director
Brian L. Love (right) presented Securatech
President and CEO Rudy Patros (left) with
MVAA’s Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer
award June 24 in Farmington Hills.
Butzel adds attorney
Randi Hermiz
Chaldean Story
Grant Completed
Butzel continues to grow with the addition of attorney
and shareholder Randi G. Hermiz. He focuses
his practice on matters relating to strategic
growth and protection of personal and business
finances. Prior to practicing law, Hermiz established
and operated successful businesses in the
hospitality, import/export, and wholesale distribution
industries. His comprehensive understanding
of business operations complements his
legal expertise, allowing him to effectively guide
clients through intricate legal landscapes and towards
sustained success.
Randi G. Hermiz joins
Butzel law firm.
Before joining Butzel, Hermiz founded and managed a boutique law firm that
specialized in commercial transactions, estate planning, commercial litigation,
and Intellectual Property Law. Clients included high net worth individuals and
business entities, primarily consisting of physicians and health care ventures. He
also has served as general counsel to a national company in the restaurant industry
and as in-house counsel to a multinational company in the tobacco industry.
Hermiz earned a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a
B.A., cum laude, from Wayne State University. He is a member of the State Bar of
Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Chaldean American Bar Association,
and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.
The CN’s Michigan Humanities Grant culminated
in an 84-page commemorative
issue of the Chaldean News. This special
booklet includes all material gathered
for the grant, including the history of the
community both in Iraq and in the U.S.,
particularly in southeastern Michigan.
The special issue has stories about
immigrants arriving in Michigan, setting
up stores and businesses, and building
a neighborhood that is still referred to
as “Chaldean Town.” It includes articles
about the various industries Chaldeans
are active in, stories about serving in the
military during wartime, and information
gathered during the 3 different surveys of
Chaldean News:
A Commemorative Edition
of ‘Chaldean Story’ Series
the Chaldean community conducted in partnership with the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce.
Of course, there’s an entire section dedicated to Chaldean cuisine that features
restaurants and recipes, and another section for arts and culture. It may be available
in hardcover in the future, but in the meantime, check it out on our website in
the Archives section under “Special Issues.”
14 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 15

CHALDEAN DIGEST
The 2024 Bishops Synod.
Chaldean Catholic Bishops Call for Unity
Chaldean Catholic bishops, in a message
sent from their synod meeting
in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have
urged their congregations worldwide
to show unity and togetherness.
In the July 17 message, the bishops
encouraged the more than 600,000
members of the Chaldean Catholic
Church to remain firm in faith, despite
the severe trials they have experienced
in recent years.
The July 15-19 meeting of the Synod of
the Chaldean Church was the first gathering
of its kind since the Eastern Church’s
leader Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
returned to Baghdad after nine months
of voluntary exile, following a dispute
with Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid.
A handful of Chaldean bishops did
not attend the Synod meeting. The July
17 message expressed regret at “the
absence of some bishops from the Synod,
without legal justification.”
But The Pillar understands that the
bishops had different reasons for missing
the meeting, which they shared
with Synod organizers and Vatican
officials responsible for the Eastern
Inspired by revival, several
new adoration chapels set to
open around Detroit area
In July, thousands of Catholics from
across the United States converged
on Indianapolis, Indiana, for the National
Eucharistic Congress, aiming
to re-invigorate passion and devotion
by instilling a renewed enthusiasm for
the Blessed Sacrament.
The effort has spurred an outpouring
of initiatives and projects nationwide
encouraging Catholics to return
to the “source and summit” of their
faith, both through Mass and Eucharistic
adoration. In the Archdiocese
of Detroit, those efforts have included
I AM HERE, a media initiative that
shared testimonials of Catholics who
attend Eucharistic adoration through
stories, podcasts, videos and more.
Inspired by the fruits of the revival,
several Detroit-area parishes have
increased opportunities for Eucharistic
adoration, including St. Thomas
Chaldean Catholic Church in West
Bloomfield, where the existing grotto
is being expanded into a large stone
adoration chapel. The original grotto
became especially popular during the
pandemic in 2020, when people positioned
their cars in front of it and
prayed in adoration.
“The St. Thomas community is very
inspired by the Eucharist, and because
so many more people want access to
it, we are expanding the grotto,” said
Churches, and their absences did not
represent a protest or boycott.
In his July 15 opening address, Sako
expressed gratitude to the bishops for
their support after he left his residence
in Baghdad and settled in Iraqi Kurdistan,
following Rashid’s decision to withdraw
a 2013 civil decree recognizing him
as the head of Chaldean Catholics and
the person responsible for its assets.
Sako returned to the Iraqi capital
in April, at the personal invitation of
the country’s Prime Minister Mohammed
Shia’ Al Sudani.
In his speech to the bishops, Sako,
who celebrated his 75th birthday July
4, stressed that “unity is strength.”
The synod fathers also sent a letter to
Pope Francis, thanking him for his support
for the Chaldean Catholic Church
and recalling his historic 2021 visit to Iraq.
“We know that you strongly defend
the Christian presence in the Middle
East, and for this, we ask you to pray
for us, and to bless us and all our growing
communities in the diaspora,” the
bishops said.
– Pillarcatholic.com
The current grotto at St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church, which hosted
drive-up Eucharistic adoration for parishioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Abbo, a parishioner in construction
management who is overseeing
the endeavor. “We’ve been blessed
with the ability to start the project with
funds we had on hand for property improvement,
as well as a donor program
with brick pavers and benches.”
Fr. Pierre Konja, pastor at St. Thomas,
enlisted Abbo’s help with the project,
the design for which was inspired
by the grotto at the University of Notre
Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Barring
any setbacks, Abbo expects the grotto
and the adoration chapel will be completed
by the end of the year.
– Detroit Catholic
PHOTO COURTESY THOMAS THE CHALDEAN / X PHOTO COURTESY ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
16 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 17

IRAQ TODAY
PHOTO COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE VIA AP, FILE)
This file image released by the Department of Defense on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, and displayed at a Pentagon briefing, shows an image of Islamic State
leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. An Iraqi court issued a death sentence Wednesday, July 10, 2024 against one of the wives of the late brutal Islamic State leader
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, alleging that she was complicit in crimes committed against Yazidi women captured by the militant group.
Justice Served
Iraqi court sentences wife of slain Islamic State leader to death for
crimes against Yazidi women
BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA | ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi court issued
a death sentence against one
of the wives of the late brutal Islamic
State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, alleging
that she was complicit in crimes
committed against Yazidi women captured
by the militant group, the country’s
judiciary announced Wednesday.
The ruling comes weeks before the
10-year mark since IS launched a series
of attacks against the Yazidi religious minority
in the northern Iraqi region of Sinjar
in early August 2014, killing and capturing
thousands — including women
and girls who were subjected to human
trafficking and sexual abuse. The United
Nations said the campaign against the
Yazidis amounted to genocide.
A statement by Iraq’s judicial council
said the Karkh Criminal Court sentenced
the woman for “detaining Yazidi
women in her home” and facilitating
their kidnapping by “the terrorist (Islamic
State group) gangs in Sinjar district.”
It also said the ruling was issued
in accordance with Iraq’s anti-terrorism
law and its “Yazidi survivors law.”
The statement did not name the defendant,
but two court officials identified
her as Asma Mohammed, who was arrested
in 2018 in Turkey and later extradited.
A senior Iraqi security official told
The Associated Press that another wife of
al-Baghdadi and his daughter, who were
also extradited from Turkey to Iraq, had
been sentenced to life in prison.
The sentences were handed down
the first week in July but were announced
by the judicial council
Wednesday, he said.
The officials spoke on condition of
anonymity because they were not authorized
to discuss the case publicly.
Survivors of the IS attacks in Iraq
have complained of a lack of accountability
and have criticized the decision
— made at the request of the Iraqi government
— to wind down a U.N. probe
into IS crimes, including the alleged
use of chemical weapons.
At the same time, human rights
groups have raised concerns about
the lack of due process in trials of alleged
IS members in Iraq and have
particularly criticized mass executions
of those convicted on terrorism
charges. Amnesty International and
Human Rights Watch have said the
confessions are often extracted under
torture and urged Iraq to abolish the
death penalty.
On June 29, 2014, al-Baghdadi,
known as one of the most ruthlessly
effective jihadist leaders of modern
times, declared the militant group’s
caliphate in large swaths of Iraq and
Syria. In 2019, he was killed in a U.S.
raid in Syria, dealing a major blow to
the militant group, which has now lost
its hold on all the areas it previously
controlled, though some of its cells
continue to carry out attacks.
18 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 19

COVER STORY
The 2024
International
Chaldean
Convention.
Chaldean Convention
Church of the Martyrs assembles in Grand Rapids
BY HAYLEY GAPPY
Excitement buzzed as the inaugural
International Chaldean
Convention kicked off, marking
a significant milestone for Chaldeans
worldwide to come together in faith,
community, culture, and traditions.
This historic gathering brought together
over 700 Chaldeans from various
regions including Michigan, Arizona,
California, Chicago, Canada, and Australia,
and more.
Hosted by the Chaldean Diocese of
Saint Thomas the Apostle, U.S.A., the
convention took place from June 28-30,
2024, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Over two years of planning
and collaboration accumulated in a
successful weekend. The three-day
event featured powerful talks, breakout
sessions, and Masses, all aimed
at strengthening faith and fellowship
among Chaldeans worldwide. The impactful
conversations reinforced the
community’s unity and resilience.
The concept for the first-ever Chaldean
Convention emerged after Father
Matthew Zetouna (Michigan), serving
in various regions worldwide, recognized
the need for unity among geographically
dispersed communities that
were acting independently. After much
prayer, he felt a need to bring these
communities together and proposed
the idea to Bishop Francis Kalabat
(Michigan). This shared vision among
the planning team aimed to help define
the future role of the Chaldean people
and their church, ultimately leading to
the formation of the first International
Chaldean Convention.
The hope was that attendees would
leave the convention with a deeper understanding
of who they are and where
they came from. Father Matthew wanted
participants to appreciate and embody
their cultural roots, grow closer
to their church, learn their language,
and connect more deeply with their
faith and traditions. He emphasized
that the martyrs who died for their
faith serve as a meaningful connection
for the community, highlighting the
importance of teaching their history
not just as points of historical fact, but
as essential parts of their identity.
The Blood of the Martyrs is the
Seed of the Church
The overarching theme of the convention
centered around honoring the
martyrs and their persecution. Their
sacrifices and unwavering faith were
highlighted as the foundation of the
Chaldean Catholic Church, known as
Bishop Francis Kalabat gives a
homily at Sunday Mass during the
Chaldean Convention.
the Church of the Martyrs. Attendees
were reminded of the martyrs’ enduring
legacy, the importance of preserving
their memory, and their perseverance.
“The Blood of the Martyrs is the
Seed of the Church” encapsulated the
spirit of the convention, highlighting
the enduring faith and resilience of
Chaldeans in the face of adversity.
The stories of these persecuted
Christians were brought to life through
various forums. They aimed to honor
the legacy left behind by the martyrs
while emphasizing the importance of
justice and recognition for those who
have suffered for their faith. In addition,
these talks focused on the modern
challenges and how to approach
them with our faith as our guide.
Throughout the convention, the
names of revered Chaldean martyrs
were mentioned and honored. These
martyrs included: Mar Toma; Mar Addai;
Mar Mari; Mart Shmoni and her
seven sons; Mar Qiryqos and his mother
Mart Juliet; Mart Sultana Mahdokht;
Mar Matti; Mar Behnam; Mart Sarah
and the Forty Martyrs; Mar Toma
Audo; Mar Addai Scher; Mar Yacoub
Augen Manna; Sister Cecilia Moshe
Hanna; Mar Paulos Faraj Rahho; and
Father Raghed Hanna and his subdeacons
Basam Daoud, Waheed Isho, and
Ghassan Bidawid.
Talks
The weekend’s events consisted of a
mix of main conferences, breakout
sessions, Masses, and guided adorations.
The main speakers were Father
Matthew Zetouna, Father Mahir Murad
(Australia), Father Simon Esshaki
(California), and Father Perrin Atisha
(Michigan), all well-known priests in
various areas of the worldwide Chaldean
community.
20 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

Father Matthew Zetouna opened
the convention weekend with his talk,
“Something Worth Saving: Reflection
on the Persecuted Chaldean Church.”
He highlighted the importance of the
convention as a whole and the historical
facts surrounding the persecution and
oppression faced by the Chaldean community,
primarily in their homeland.
Throughout his talk, he emphasized
the importance of preserving the
faith and cultural heritage of the Chaldean
Church despite the challenges
they face. When he discussed the call
he felt to initiate the planning for the
convention, he stated, “Our Church
has never looked like this. We’ve never
been as across the entire globe as we
are right now.”
Fr. Matthew went on to explain
why it is so important to come together
as one community in Christ. “I
had a violent rumbling in my heart,”
he shared with an attentive audience.
“What I felt in my heart was a strong
shaking of the bones, of our martyrs
who have come before us.”
Fr. Matthew shared the response
he received to his prayers prior to giving
this talk, how the martyrs cried out
to him, “Justice! Give us justice. People
don’t know us. They don’t know how
they’ve come to be in this Church.
They don’t know where they come
from!” Inspired by the martyrs’ resilience
and strength, Fr. Matthew urged
the attendees to remain united and
committed to their faith while honoring
the sacrifices that were made.
In his talk, “Responding to WOKE
Culture,” Father Mahir Murad addressed
the challenges posed by
modern societal trends that test our
faith. He emphasized the importance
of maintaining a strong faith identity
amidst a rapidly changing world. Fr.
Mahir provided a unique perspective
on navigating and responding to these
changes while staying true to the faith
and traditions of the Chaldean community.
His speech encouraged an ongoing
commitment to preserving and
protecting the Chaldean community’s
religious and cultural traditions.
Father Simon Esshaki’s speech on
“Spiritual Warfare” addressed the constant
battle between good and evil that
all Catholics face. He emphasized the
importance of prayer, the sacraments,
and maintaining a strong relationship
with God to avoid such spiritual attacks.
Fr. Simon highlighted the necessity of
staying grounded in faith to overcome
the temptations and challenges of the
modern world. His message served as a
call to action and spiritual tenacity for
the Chaldean community.
Father Perrin Atisha concluded the
main conferences with an influential
talk entitled “The Power of the Eucharistic
Jesus,” emphasizing the central
role of the Eucharist in the Catholic
faith. He discussed how the presence
of Jesus in the Eucharist provides
strength, guidance, and a deep connection
to God.
Fr. Perrin shared a personal story
about how his aunt’s devotion and
love for the Eucharist provided her
with healing and comfort in her last
days while she was losing her battle
to cancer. He encouraged attendees to
deepen their own devotion to the Eucharist,
highlighting its transformative
power in their lives.
The main conference talks throughout
the weekend highlighted the importance
of faith, resilience, and preserving
the Chaldean community’s rich
culture. Each talk played a role in inviting
the attendees to make a renewed
commitment to their faith. In addition
to these talks, Masses were celebrated
daily by Father Douglas Al-Bazi (New
Zealand), Father Daniel Shaba (California),
and Bishop Francis Kalabat.
While all the Masses and homilies
were inspiring, Father Douglas
Al-Bazi’s homily especially stood out.
It recounted his experience being kidnapped
and tortured for nine days by
ISIS. His testimony highlighted the
intense persecution that is still being
faced by Christians in Iraq to this day.
Despite the evil he endured and the
many attempts to undermine his beliefs,
Fr. Douglas’ faith remained unshaken.
“Our God is a God of love,” he
stated simply, before going on to share
a conversation he had with one of the
assailants who came to him in a state
of confession, feeling deep regret.
When the attacker asked if Fr. Douglas
would try to seek revenge if they were
to meet again, the priest replied, “To
be honest, if we meet again, I’m going
to invite you for Chai.”
Even through the agony and suffering
he endured, he did not hesitate to
forgive those who committed unspeak-
CONVENTION continued on page 22
From top of page:
1. Top row left to right: Br. Ephrem Peter, Seminarian Patrick Jaboro, Fr. Marcus
Shammami, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Fr. Ankido Sipo, Fr. Pierre Konja, Fr. Douglas
Al-Bazi, Fr. Patrick Setto, Fr. Fadie Gorgies, Seminarian Rami Kina, Fr. Kevin
Yono, and Seminarian Andrew Mattia; Bottom row left to right: Deacon Joseph
Nannoshi, Fr. Perrin Atisha, Br. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Milan
Kakone. Fr. Mahir Murad, Fr. Matthew Zetouna, and Deacon Eahab Ishak
2. The Chaldean Martyrs
3. Father Douglas Al-Bazi & Deacon Joseph Nannoshi
4. The organizers of the International Chaldean Convention; From left to right
Matthew Salem, Eva Jajjo, Reva Yaldo, Melanie Abro, Father Perrin Atisha,
Father Matthew Zetouna, Anita Houbba, Vincent Lirato, Rana Elias, and
Jonathan Francis.
PHOTOS BY ANNA MARIE SITTO PHOTOGRAPHY
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 21

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CONVENTION continued from page 21
able acts against him. God teaches us
to forgive, and Fr. Douglas kept that
doctrine close to heart. His story serves
as a powerful testament to the Catholic
Church’s resilience and strength, and his
homily highlighted the importance of
standing strong in our faith and offered a
first-hand example of the persecution of
the Christians who came before us.
Breakouts & Adorations
The convention also included breakout
sessions led by faithful figures in
the community, covering topics such
as faith, growth, perseverance, resilience,
and cultural preservation.
These sessions emphasized devotion
to faith and showcased the Chaldean
community’s strength and commitment
to preserving their heritage.
On the first day, attendees chose
between two sessions. The first session,
“Hope in Suffering,” was led by
Alivia and Auday Arrabo, who shared
their personal journey of continual
faith during difficult times. Bashar Kirma
led the second session, “Doubting
Thomas,” where he discussed his path
from atheism to faith. The following
day featured a men’s conference led
by Father John Jaddou and Zaid Zayto,
and a women’s conference led by Sister
Immaculata and Sister Bernadette.
To close out each evening, the
convention featured powerful guided
Eucharistic Adorations, allowing attendees
to feel deeply the power of
prayer and the impact of the Eucharist
in their lives. The sessions were led by
the Sons of the Covenant Chaldean
Monks on the first evening, and by Fr.
Perrin Atisha and Fr. Patrick Setto on
the following day.
During Adoration, attendees also
had the opportunity to give Confession.
These moments reinforced the
significance of the Eucharist in their
spiritual journey and provided a
chance to reflect on the day’s events
and talks. A chapel was available for
Eucharistic Adoration throughout
the weekend, providing a continuous
space for prayer and reflection.
Building Connections Worldwide
On Friday evening, the convention
hosted a social hour to build connections
and strengthen relationships between
attendees from different parts
of the world. This allowed participants
to meet fellow Chaldeans, form new
friendships, and potentially establish
professional connections for the future.
Attendees also explored cultural
exhibits displaying Chaldean art and
history, deepening their appreciation
of our traditions. Highlights of the
evening included traditional music
and dancing, games of “kon kan” and
backgammon, and food and drinks.
The ability to meet and converse
with guests from around the world
throughout the weekend provided a
unique opportunity. Attendees enjoyed
learning about other communities and
developing connections with people
they otherwise would not have met.
Being able to compare the similarities
and differences of practicing the
same faith and traditions while residing
in different places was intriguing.
These conversations helped attendees
realize that, despite their different locations,
they shared the same cultural
history and love for God. This opportunity
for fellowship highlighted the
strong connections within the global
Chaldean community and opened attendees’
eyes to the endless possibilities
these bonds can bring in supporting
each other.
When asked why they traveled so
far for the convention, most attendees
mentioned a desire to grow in their
faith, community, and culture; however,
the experience exceeded their
expectations, offering an unforgettable
opportunity for the widely separated
Chaldean community to unite for the
first time. The joy and participation
of every person, combined with their
common goal of preserving rich cultural
and religious traditions, made the
event meaningful for all who attended.
What’s Next?
Moving forward from this historic convention,
the Chaldean Catholic Church
is filled with a renewed sense of faith
and community. The stories of perseverance,
resilience, and unwavering
faith shared throughout the weekend
have left an unforgettable mark on
our hearts. We are reminded that our
strength lies in our spiritual and cultural
journey.
Planning is in progress for
the next convention. Check
chaldeanconvention.com for updates.
22 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 23

FEATURE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CYC PHOTOGRAPHY COMMITTEE
Group of 2023 volunteers for Chaldean Youth Camp.
Marking a Milestone
A decade of Chaldean Youth Camp
BY GRACE ALKATIB
Despite having only been recently
established, I attended Camp
Chaldean several times during
my middle school years. Though my
memories are foggy now, I can still recall
meeting leaders and fellow campers
who have remained prominent in
my life. Not only was the sense of community
something that stuck with me,
but I was also able to explore God’s
greatness through nature.
Camp typically involves arts and
crafts, outdoor activities, and sports,
but Chaldean Youth Camp (CYC) offers
something unique. Culture is infused
into activities each day, allowing
campers to learn more about their
Chaldean identity. What may seem
trivial to some was profoundly meaningful
to me. Lots of Chaldean culture
can be found at home, but camp allows
our youth to experience intimate
traditions in a more dynamic setting.
Although I didn’t realize it at the time,
this experience significantly strengthened
my faith and inspired me to go
the extra mile in my spiritual journey.
As Catholics, our faith grows
stronger when we take leaps of faith
and embrace new experiences. Going
to camp would strengthen my own
relationship with Christ. Since then,
I have been able to take further leaps
of faith, such as leading our Chaldean
youth groups and eventually returning
to CYC as a leader and committee
member.
“I was able to see campers come
back to camp as volunteers years
later, which is truly amazing,” stated
previous camp director Val Kesto.
These experiences have profoundly
shaped my spiritual journey and
deepened my commitment to our faith
and community. Now that I have come
full circle and am a leader for the camp
I once attended, I am able to reflect on
the camp’s progress and highlight the
significance of celebrating “A Decade
of Chaldean Youth Camp.”
Chaldean Youth Camp is a summer
tradition that has nurtured our
community over the past ten years.
Our Lady of the Fields Camp & Retreat
Center (OLF), formerly known
as “Camp Chaldean,” has a purpose
that allows youth to encounter Christ
through God’s great outdoors. CYC
uses the bible verse Matthew 19:14 to
guide their purpose and mission: “Let
the little children come to me, and do
not hinder them, for the kingdom of
heaven belongs to such as these.”
The initiation of CYC was established
by a group of seminarians and
volunteers in 2014, specifically Andrew
Seba, Fr. John Jaddou, and Fr.
Fadie Gorgies. The infamous “Camp
Chaldean” started by hosting campers
only two days out of the whole
year, running on one schedule and
itinerary for all ages. This summer,
OLF is hosting a Junior Co-ed Camp,
Boys One Day Camp, Girls One Day
Camp, Boys Overnight Camp, and a
Girls Overnight Camp. In 2024, our
camp will be serving over 800 campers
for these events alone. CYC initially
served campers from grades
3–8 but has since expanded and now
caters to campers from grades 1–10.
Chaldean Youth Camp brings together
children from elementary, middle,
and high schools to unite across our
entire diocese.
The camp is located on over 200
acres in Brighton, Michigan, which
allows campers to experience the joy
of Christ through a camping experience.
The campgrounds surround
40-acre, Euler Lake, that houses
our aqua park, waterfront activities,
swimming, and kayaking. On land,
the camp has basketball, football,
capture the flag, gaga ball, spike ball,
and pickleball.
24 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

TIMELINE
Below is a timeline of the expansion of OLF, encompassing
the creation of CYC:
2007
The Detroit Recreation Camp was purchased
by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas
the Apostle, and the name was changed to
“Camp Chaldean.” The land was acquired using
donations made through the Shamaya
Kassab Fund.
2010
Construction of St. George Shrine, the church
that is currently on the campgrounds, began.
Aside from the construction, small summer
one-day youth camps would take place sporadically
on the property. These small camps
occurred prior to being recognized officially as
Chaldean Youth Camp.
2015
Chaldean Youth Camp became an official Camp
Chaldean event. The name Chaldean Youth
Camp was picked by volunteers through an Instagram
comment section in early 2015. More
formal youth camp dates were planned this
year, and overnight camps were introduced to
the community. CYC also designed their first
ever logo, which had yet to be updated until the
current 2024 summer.
2018
To reach larger communities, Bishop Francis Y.
Kalabat renamed Camp Chaldean as Our Lady
of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center (OLF).
Along with the renaming, the camp also employed
Mr. Michael Hickey to be the first camp
executive director. Mr. Michael Hickey was responsible
for building a year-round camp and
retreat center that could accommodate thousands
of visitors annually.
2019
With the help of many, the camp was officially
hosting groups beyond the Chaldean Community.
OLF opened its doors to anyone wishing to deepen
their faith through a camp experience. The
famous high- and low-ropes courses at OLF were
also constructed. The rope courses enhanced the
offerings of the camp, especially amongst teens,
Catholic youth, and school groups.
2020
A prominent year for outreach, allowing many
Catholic youth groups from the Archdiocese of
Detroit and the Diocese of Lansing to visit OLF.
These groups were able to host day and overnight
retreats of their own on the camp property.
2021
The camp expanded to hosting Catholic high
school sports teams on the property. Chaldean
Youth Camp was also setting new records for
participation, and its reputation was steadily
growing.
From top of page:
Group of Chaldean Youth Camp campers
enjoying the high ropes course at Our Lady
of the Fields Camp & Retreat Center.
Campers enjoy boating on Euler Lake.
Grace Alkatib with a camper in the newly
renovated camp dining hall.
2022
OLF was able to host groups throughout the
entirety of the year, which marked our busiest
year yet. With the increase in campers and dependence
on the camp property, a plan for upgrades
was put into place this year. Mr. Hickey
planned lots of indoor and outdoor renovations
this year. OLF also had the privilege of partnering
with Damascus (a group from the Columbus,
Ohio Diocese). This partnership would
allow for roughly 1,200 additional retreatants
each summer. In the fall of 2022, the Chaldean
Diocese purchased a 54-acre parcel of property
across from the shrine on Kellogg Road.
This property has not been used yet but will be
used for future development and expansion of
Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat Center.
With this purchase, the new acreage of the
camp comes to 218 acres.
2023
The renovations that were planned in 2022
were all completed by the 2023 summer, just in
time for CYC. Under the leadership of Bishop
Francis Kalabat, OLF launched a $5 million
capital campaign, which is still being used to
renovate existing facilities, add new facilities,
and enhance the camp. Cabins were completely
renovated with new siding, flooring, new bunk
beds, mattresses, new windows, and upgraded
heating and cooling. The dining hall was given
a new floor, new tables, an improved industrialized
kitchen, and a new walkout deck. The
new walkout deck overlooks the lakefront. On
the outside of the camp, there is a new 3-sided
rock-climbing tower, a vertical playpen, and
a dual zip line running parallel to Euler Lake.
There was also the addition of a giant swing,
the Aqua Park, and renovations to the high
ropes course and beachfront.
2024
The camp now has a full staff of its own and is
continuing to renovate. Our Lady of the Fields
Camp and Retreat Center also offers over 100 of
their own camps and retreats, such as a Mother-
Daughter Weekend, Family Beach Day Palooza,
Venator Et Ducatis, OLF Paradeisos, and many
more. In the summer of this year, ECRC held the
first ever “The Call” High School Youth Conference
on the camp’s property. Our relationship
with Damascus is still very fulfilling for the
camp. Chaldean Youth Camp dates for the 2024
year are July 13, July 20, July 27, August 5-7, and
August 8-10. Each year, the camp hosts an increasing
number of retreatants and campers
compared to the previous year.
Our Lady of the Fields Camp and Retreat
Center was developed over the past 17
years with lots of love and hard work. Chaldean
Youth Camp has thrived at this location
throughout the last decade. The camp allows
us to serve the community in a different atmosphere,
adoring the gifts of Christ through his
outdoor creations. On behalf of all campers and
volunteers, we thank Chaldean Youth Camp for
a wonderful decade of faith, fun, and culture!
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 25

Preparing for Success
20 Years of August Covers
BY SARAH KITTLE
Over the past two decades, the
August cover stories of the Chaldean
News have consistently
reflected the pulse of our community,
serving not just as informative pieces
but as historical markers of significant
events and personalities. From the earliest
issues, where we celebrated local
architects and community milestones,
to the educational focuses of recent
years, each issue has offered readers a
window into our evolving society.
It’s fascinating to trace the evolution
of cover stories over the past two
decades. Throughout these 20 years, the
August issue of the Chaldean News has
remained a steadfast companion, offering
profound insight and celebrating the
diversity, resilience, and achievements
of the Chaldean community.
Reflecting back, our coverage has
spotlighted significant figures and
events. In 2004, Victor Saroki graced our
cover, marking 20 years as a prominent
architect in Michigan. His iconic projects
like the Birmingham Theater and
St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church
continue to define our landscape.
2005’s cover story “slid” into August
and listed summer fun activities,
and the following year, in 2006, celebrated
45 years of the Chaldean Ladies
of Charity in “Ladies Look Back.”
In 2007, the cover story was “The
Wind Beneath His Wings,” featuring
Joe Bidawid. Joe is a Great Lakes professional
waterman who successfully
completed a stand-up paddle crossing
of Lake Michigan on August 26 of that
year to raise money and awareness for
cancer research. Unassisted, Joe covered
59 miles over 19 hours, starting
in St. Joseph, Michigan at sunset and
paddling through the night to arrive in
downtown Chicago the next afternoon,
raising more than $14,000 for charity.
The economic downturn of 2008
dominated headlines, and our August
issue addressed the challenges with
expert advice on weathering the recession’s
impacts, from soaring gas prices
to widespread job losses and financial
instability. In subsequent years, from
2009’s coverage on church bombings
in Iraq to 2014’s poignant exploration
of the ISIS invasion in Mosul, our publication
has navigated global crises
with a lens focused on our community’s
experiences and resilience.
The following years delved into local
issues: the opening of Holy Martyrs
Church (2010) and challenges faced by
independent grocers (2011).
Beginning in 2012, the August issue
of the Chaldean News has consistently
served as the “Back to School Guide,”
helping parents navigate their educational
choices. In other years — 2013,
2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021 — we’ve
dedicated these editions to detailing
private and Catholic schools in our
area, equipping parents with essential
tools for informed decisions about
their children’s education.
In addition to comprehensive backto-school
guides, we explored topics
like scholarships and STEM education
initiatives. The pandemic’s impact
was felt in 2020, with a focus on community
resilience and growth.
In 2021 and 2022, our coverage
adapted to shifting educational landscapes,
including virtual learning and
global perspectives on student life.
Notably, 2023 brought attention to Cardinal
Sako’s journey amidst political
upheaval in Iraq.
Throughout these years, the August
issue of the Chaldean News has
evolved, offering insight, reflection,
and a platform for community voices,
marking two decades of meaningful
storytelling and service to our readers.
For twenty years, the CN has been
a beacon of cultural preservation and
community cohesion for the Chaldean
diaspora. With each issue since its inception,
the magazine has diligently
chronicled the triumphs, challenges,
and rich traditions of Chaldean-Americans.
From profiling prominent figures
to documenting historical milestones
and addressing contemporary issues,
the magazine serves as a vital platform
for dialogue and celebration within the
community. Through its timely articles,
the Chaldean News has fostered a deeper
understanding of Chaldean heritage
while advocating for the community’s
interests and aspirations in the everchanging
landscape of American society.
26 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

ARE
YOU
HIRING?
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
3:00PM – 5:00PM
COMMUNITY
JOB
JOIN US
JOBFAIR
The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) invites you to participate in our 3rd Fall Edition Community Job Fair
on Wednesday, September 25, 2024! Our job fair will enable you, the employer, to meet and conduct on-the-spot
interviews with New Americans and the greater community. It is an excellent opportunity to promote open positions
and network with other businesses and organizations. We look forward to seeing you!
Please register by scaning the
QR code below.
Employers will receive:
• Table and two chairs for setup.
• Light refreshments and snacks.
* Space is limited. Registration is available
on a first come, first served basis.
$150 Registration fee
For more info contact Elias at Elias.Kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org or call 586-722-7253.
Chaldean Community Foundation
Wireless Vision Gymnasium
3601 15 Mile Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI, 48310
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 27

PHOTOS COURTESY ARTISTIC OUTDOORS
Hydrangeas
and boxwood
make for a
formal planting.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Fall plant care in Michigan
BY SARAH KITTLE
Like most homegrown local gardeners (and historically,
most Detroit Lions fans), by the latter
part of the season, I’m already thinking about
next year. Should I add raised beds or containers?
Should I expand my borders? Put in new plants or
move the ones I have around?
This year, I asked an expert — and Tony Konja
said, “It’s not too late to add plants in your garden.”
Konja is not only the owner of Artistic Outdoors,
a (mostly) commercial landscaping company, he is
also a garden aficionado. His home garden, although
extensive, is a modern garden, what he calls a “classic
California look,” with multiples of the same plants
(boxwood and hydrangea) and straight clean lines. Hydrangeas
are some of his favorites, because they bring
robust color in the months of July and August. “Different
months have different plants for color,” says Konja.
It’s Not Too Late
You may think August is too far into the season to add
any plants to your garden, but that’s where you’d be
wrong. Late blooming crops like beets, carrots, kale,
lettuce, peas and spinach can still be planted now.
And for spring flowers, plant fall bulbs.
“August and September are the time to plant fall
bulbs,” says Konja. Spring blooming bulbs like tulips
and daffodils must be planted the previous fall. Summer
blooming bulbs like lilies and irises can be planted
now, as long as it’s not too hot. Shrubs like burning
bushes, Rose of Sharon, and red twig dogwoods
can be planted any time in the gardening season.
If you are new to gardening, you might wonder
what the difference is between annual and perennial
plants. Basically, annuals only live for one year, while
perennials live for two or more years. Some perennials
not only come back, but they also grow and spread. If
you are thinking of removing entire species of plants
from your garden, you need to know what is permissible.
For instance, you cannot cut down cattails in the
city of West Bloomfield. Take it from Konja, who is the
preferred landscaping vendor for the city.
He has also recently installed a butterfly garden
for the city of Southfield. Butterfly gardens and
meadow gardens may be trending in other areas,
but most of Konja’s customers still prefer manicured
lawns. As beautiful as a wildflower garden may be,
placed next to a manicured lawn, it just looks messy.
For color this fall, plant mums, daylilies, blackeyed
Susan and purple coneflower. It’s the time of
the season to transplant perennials, too, as long as
the ground has cooled down somewhat. August is the
time to take stock of your garden, see what is working
and what isn’t, and plan changes.
Fall gardening tasks include amending soil. If
you’ve never tested your garden soil, now is the time
to do so. A soil test will show you the soil PH, some
nutrient levels, organic matter percentage, and other
soil aspects. You can buy soil test kits at your local
garden center.
If your soil is lacking nutrients, you can add them
in. It’s also a good time to replenish mulch and add
compost or organic matter to the soil. Mulch not only
protects the ground from frost but it conserves mois-
28 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

Late blooming crops like beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, peas and spinach can still be planted
now. And for spring flowers, plant fall bulbs.
ture as well. Amending your soil can make all the difference
next year.
Summer days can be hot and dry, so watering
your plants will need to be a top priority for both you
and your garden this month. Watering thoroughly
and deeply is much better than watering often but
lightly. It is best to water in the morning so that the
foliage has had time to dry off before nightfall.
Another fall garden task is dividing and transplanting
perennials. Plants like hostas, daylilies, and
irises tend to like room. If they get too crowded, they
fail to flourish. Divide and spread them to other parts
of the garden (or share with friends) in the fall when
temperatures have cooled down.
With the wild windstorms we have experienced
this summer, you may need to prune or trim your
trees to assess any damage; however, that is an annual
task for Michigan gardeners that should be undertaken
every fall. It promotes healthy growth and
reduces the risk of winter damage.
Gardening is not for the faint of heart. It requires
optimism and patience and is a way of showing you
believe in tomorrow.
My garden is very informal and has grown organically
(literally and figuratively) over the years.
When I first moved into my little cottage nestled in
the Pleasant Lake Highlands of West Bloomfield in
2020, I was overjoyed to see the abundant wildlife parading
through my yard; however, after rejoicing in
the beautiful buds adorning my newly planted rose
bushes one evening and awaking the next morning to
see naught but stems, I have changed my tune.
Since then, this scenario has played out in numerous
ways. I moved my plants to containers and
placed them on my patio. My lovely tomato plants
had beautiful little tomatoes yesterday; today they
are all stalks. I could cry.
Konja’s advice regarding deer and rabbits in the garden
is to use repellent spray. I took his advice and ordered
some, sprayed it on my hostas and so far, so good.
Things to Do in Your Garden Now
To close out the summer garden season, cut back
tired plants that have finished blooming for the year.
Pull weeds before they go to seed. This will save you
a lot of work later on. Fertilize your plants for the
last time this year. Do not use a high nitrogen fertilizer,
since you are not trying to promote new foliage
growth currently. Instead, use fertilizer with a higher
component of phosphorus or potassium.
To prepare your garden for fall weather, you
should first clean up and remove any summer debris
from your beds and borders. Remove any dead or
diseased plants as well. This helps prevent pests and
diseases from overwintering and allows for better air
circulation.
Now is the time to harvest any remaining vegetables.
That first frost may seem like it’s way off in
the distance, but we are in Michigan and it’s coming
in the next month or so. It’s also a good time to
prune shrubs and trees as needed to remove dead or
Top: Perennial hostas and astilbes are planted with annuals like daisies and petunias. Bottom: Different
colored chrysanthemums create a bright foundation planting. Photos courtesy of Artistic Outdoors.
damaged branches. This promotes healthy growth
and reduces the risk of winter damage. If you have
tender perennials or shrubs that are borderline hardy
for your zone, consider protecting them with burlap
wraps or specialized covers next month to shield
them from harsh winter winds and frost.
Over Winter
Then it’s finally time to think about next year. Take
notes on what worked well and what didn’t in your
garden this year. Use this information to plan improvements
or changes for next year’s garden layout
and plant selection. Clean and properly store your
garden tools and equipment. Sharpen blades on
pruners and shears to ensure they are ready for use
in the spring.
Does your garden hold any interest in the winter?
Simply leaving a few perennials uncut in the fall can
add interest and attract songbirds to your garden in
the winter. Perennials that provide winter interest
and seeds for birds include astilbe, bee balm, purple
coneflower, and bachelor button, as well as ornamental
grasses. Birds will appreciate the important
source of food and protection these plants offer if not
deadheaded at the end of the season. Some of these
winged creatures may reward you in the spring by
staying around to feast on insects in your garden.
If you have gardening questions, MSU Extension has
a statewide toll-free lawn and garden hotline: (888)
678-3464. Advanced master gardeners answer the line
weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 29

ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE
Building Big
Sapphire Luxury Homes is the road home
BY PAUL NATINSKY
Sometimes the road less traveled
leads to unexpected places. In
Randy Najjar’s case, that place
was architecture and design. He was
so sure of his life’s direction that out
of high school he applied only to Lawrence
Technological University’s architecture
program.
But as he rounded the corner toward
his degree, Najjar felt a pull toward
home construction and sales. As
The 2024 Oakland County Real Producers Summer Soiree.
a young boy he began working for his
uncle, who ran a handyman business.
Both of Najjar’s parents worked in real
estate sales, where Najjar also gained
experience.
He finished the degree from Lawrence
Tech in which he had so much
invested, filed it away, and began
a career in home construction and
sales. Najjar launched Sapphire Luxury
Homes in 2012. Having worked for
homebuilders, he thought he could do
what they did, but better.
Najjar describes business practices
in the homebuilding business as similar
to a “used car salesman approach”—
promise one thing and deliver another.
“Everything was done on a handshake,
nothing was documented,” he said. “It
was always a messy, disorganized process
and I figured that I could clean that
up and do a better job myself.”
But Najjar, who is now 35, rediscovered
his love for architecture and
began to focus on designing luxury
homes about five years ago. The road
curved toward its origin point. But
the going didn’t get easier. The luxury
homes market is tough to break into.
You have to have name recognition
and a strong reputation to build and
sell houses; but you have to build and
sell houses to create those attributes.
And those houses aren’t cheap to
build. They are typically around 5,000
square feet and priced at $2 million or
more.
The challenge of breaking in coupled
with the industry’s less-thanstellar
reputation created hurdles that
pushed Najjar to the edge. In 2019 he
considered giving up on Sapphire.
“I got to a point…I remember specifically
calling my mom in September
2019 and telling her that I wasn’t sure I
wanted to do this anymore,” Najjar recalls.
“All that hard work, and risk and
everything that was happening. The
fruits weren’t bearing from a financial
perspective. I was barely making ends
meet. We were redlining the bank account
month after month just trying
to pay the bills, and there was nothing
left for profit at all.”
He was starting to feel like he’d be
better off getting a job and bringing
home a paycheck. “I said to my mom,
‘I could just go and get a regular job
and make more money than this.’”
But Najjar’s mother reminded him
of a fable from his childhood in which
a man stops a months-long dig for gold
when he’s only three feet away from
treasure.
PHOTO BY ALEX LUMELSKY
Najjar persevered. He designed
and built the Sophia, a 6,315-squarefoot,
$3.5-million luxury home on
Maple Road in Bloomfield Hills. He
built the home with his own money—
no customer to direct and bankroll the
project. Pouring everything he had
into the house—named after his mother—Najjar
took advantage of its highstreet-traffic
location and showcase
features to build interest in himself
and Sapphire. He estimates upwards
of 10,000 pairs of feet have walked the
floors of his passion project.
The road curved yet again. Armed
with the reputation and demand for
business he aspired to for so long, Najjar
no longer had to sell houses for bargain
rates. He was able to build more
“spec” houses—including one named
for his son, Cameron—and finally begin
to enjoy the success that would allow
him to provide for his growing family.
From the very start, Najjar named
his houses—with the exception of the
Cameron—for women, typically for the
wife in the customer couple. This grand
tradition foreshadowed the next turn
in Najjar’s road—a passionate focus on
design, customers, and his own legacy.
Unlike many businesspeople, Najjar
is not looking to scale up his company
strictly to increase profits. He got
into the industry, in part, to do things
better, to focus on keeping promises
and delivering high-quality houses.
He wants to focus on building legendary
houses like his idol Frank Lloyd
Wright; houses that will be around
and talked about 100 years from now.
Najjar tells me that Wright designed
his houses down to the smallest
detail, the toothbrush holders.
Sapphire has that capacity. In addition
to architecture, design and building,
Sapphire provides landscaping, interior
design and furniture acquisition
services, allowing Najjar to imprint his
stamp on all aspects of a project.
Outside of Sapphire, Najjar’s focus
is on Amanda, his wife, and their two
young children. The family lives in a
5,000-square-foot home in Rochester
Hills that Najjar designed—plenty of
room for the family to grow.
And so the road less traveled
comes full circle with Randy Najjar
coming back to a talent and passion
for architecture first revealed in a 6th
grade aptitude test and rediscovered
two decades later.
30 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

Randy Najjar
in in front of the
Sapphire Model
home.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 31

32 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

FAFSA
Feeling overwhelmed with filling out your 2024-2025 FAFSA? LET US HELP!
FRENZY
Completing the FAFSA gives you access to federal student
aid to help you pay for college or career/trade school.
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No appointment necessary.
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*While supplies last
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students in Michigan access and attain college
certificates and degrees.
Chaldean Community Foundation | 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI, 48310 | (586) 722-7253
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 33

CULTURE & HISTORY
they were trapped in the scorching
summer heat for days without food or
water. Those unable to escape or who
attempted to defend their villages from
ISIS fighters were subsequently murdered
or abducted, with large-scale
massacres of Yazidi men and boys in
the villages of Qiniyeh, Kocho, and
Jdali.
An agreement signed by the Kurdistan
and Iraqi governments in 2020
to restore stability in the Sinjar region
has not yet been implemented. This
agreement provides a framework for
the deportation and disarmament of
all armed groups in the region and
for helping displaced Yazidis return to
their homeland.
A Sinjar (“moon” + “mountain”) woman
Plight of the Yazidis
A people facing extinction
BY ADHID MIRI, PHD
Part II
The Yazidis (Yezidis) are impoverished
cultivators and herdsmen
who have a strictly graded
religious-political hierarchy and tend
to maintain a more closed community
than other ethnic or religious
groups. The Yazidi homeland in the
Sinjar region in northern Iraq remains
a war-torn area, and the prospect of
economic and political stability in Iraq
remains unclear.
The advance of ISIS into Sinjar in
August 2014 led to the displacement
of almost the entire Yazidi community
and the capture, killing, and enslavement
of thousands. It was a tragic turning
point in their history. Hundreds of
thousands of Yazidis escaped to Sinjar
Mountain, revered by the faith as the
place where Noah’s Ark landed, in the
scorching summer heat as the Islamic
State group took over the region. Most
of them were ultimately resettled in
refugee camps in Iraqi Kurdistan.
As part of our series on ethnic and
religious minorities in Iraq, we hope
this second article will shed even more
light on the history and the plight of
the Yazidi community in the 21st century.
Part I was published in the June
2024 issue of the Chaldean News.
Geopolitical Challenges
Following the American invasion, the
Sinjar region fell under the category
of “Disputed Territories.” These territories,
which mostly consist of oil-rich
and agricultural areas, have long been
at the heart of the Arab-Kurdish conflict
in Iraq.
Before the American invasion,
these areas were mostly under the
control of the Iraqi Army. However, after
the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003,
the Kurdistan Regional Government,
with the support of the U.S. military,
came to control parts of these areas
including the Sinjar region. The sectarian
environment and the political
vacuum following the fall of Saddam
contributed to the rise of the Islamic
State group in the region.
The 2014 Islamic State group attack
which led to the fall of Sinjar and the
mass exodus of the Yazidi community,
known as “The Black Day,” was not an
isolated event. Rather, it had its roots
in the 2003 American invasion of Iraq
and the power struggle that ensued.
On the eve of the terrorist attack in
2014, thousands of Yazidis put their
hope in the promises of Kurdish authorities
for protection. However, the
hasty withdrawal of Kurdish forces left
the entire region defenseless.
ISIS Calamity
The story of the ISIS conquest of the
Yazidi homeland in August 2014 is essential
for understanding the plight
of this endangered community, one
which has faced centuries of what can
only be described as a genocidal assault.
It is a tragic tale of the followers
of a peaceful religion whose very existence
is threatened by a combination
of fanaticism on the part of ISIS and indifference
on the part of Western powers.
Yazidis often say they have been
the victim of 72 previous attempts at
genocide. The memory of persecution
is a core component of their identity.
The Kurdish Peshmerga forces,
who had been protecting the area,
withdrew without warning, leaving
the local population defenseless. An
estimated 200,000 Yazidi civilians
fled for their lives, with at least 50,000
heading to Sinjar Mountain, where
Defenseless Sinjar
In 2014, with the territorial gains of the
Salafist militant group calling itself the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) there was much upheaval in the
Iraqi Yazidi population. ISIL captured
Sinjar in August 2014 following the
withdrawal of the Kurdish Peshmerga
troops, forcing up to 50,000 Yazidis
to flee into the nearby mountainous
region.
ISIL had previously declared the
Yazidis to be devil worshippers. Most
of the population fleeing Sinjar retreated
by trekking up nearby mountains
to reach Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan
(normally a five-hour drive by car).
Concerns for the elderly and those in
fragile health were expressed by the
refugees, who told reporters of their
lack of water.
UN groups say at least 40,000
members of the Yazidi sect, many of
them women and children, took refuge
in nine locations on Mount Sinjar, a
craggy, 4,600-foot-high ridge identified
in local legend as the final resting
place of Noah’s Ark, facing slaughter
at the hands of jihadists surrounding
them below if they fled, or death by
dehydration if they stayed.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 Yazidis,
most of them women and children,
besieged by ISIL, escaped from
the mountain after the People Protection
Units (YPG) and Kurdish Workers’
Party (PKK) intervened to stop ISIL.
They opened a humanitarian corridor
for them, helping them cross the river
Tigris into Rojava-Syria.
Captured women were treated as
sex slaves or spoils of war, some were
34 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

driven to suicide. Women and girls
who converted to Islam were sold as
brides, and those who refuse to convert
are tortured, raped, and eventually
murdered.
Babies born in the prison where
the women are held are taken from
their mothers to an unknown fate. Nadia
Murad, a Yazidi human rights activist
and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner,
was kidnapped and used as a sex
slave by the ISIL in 2014.
Persecution
For hundreds of years, the Yazidi community
has been persecuted for its religious
views, an amalgamation of Zoroastrianism,
Christianity, and Islam.
Throughout their history, they have
been killed, forced to convert to other
religions, and even taken as slaves.
Since the spread of Islam began
with the early Muslim conquest of the
7th–8th centuries, Yazidis have faced
persecution by Arabs and later by
Turks, as their religious practices have
commonly been charged with heresy
by Muslim clerics.
To this day, many Muslims consider
them to be devil worshipers. So,
in the face of religious persecution,
Yazidis have concentrated in strongholds
located in remote mountain regions
with most of them concentrated
in northern Iraq, in and around Mount
Sinjar.
The history of the Yazidi community
in northern Iraq is laden with oppression
and violence. For almost six
centuries, Yazidis were subjected to
persecution during the Ottoman Empire
that ruled between 1299 to 1922.
After the dissolution of the Ottoman
Empire, the British Army targeted Yazidis
and other ethnic groups in northern
Iraq in the early 20th century.
The violent campaigns against
Yazidis continued during the Baath
regime that was in power from 1968 to
2003. The destruction of Yazidi villages
at the time resulted in Yazidis’ mass
displacement. In 2007, A few years after
the American invasion of Iraq, the
Yazidi community endured one of the
deadliest car bomb attacks in post-
Saddam Iraq. The Yazidi lore attests to
74 persecutions throughout history.
In the wake of the March 2003 invasion
of Iraq, Yazidis faced increased
persecution by religious extremists
who incorrectly regarded them as
‘devil worshippers’ due to a misinterpretation
of their religion. Community
members were regularly targeted by
extremists, a July 2008 report from
Iraq’s Ministry of Human Rights estimated
that between 2003 and the end
of 2007, a total of 335 Yazidis had been
killed in direct or indirect attacks.
The effects of these and later attacks
on the community were often
far-reaching. In 2013, for instance,
there were numerous attacks on Yazidi
students attending Mosul University.
By the end of the year, approximately
2,000 Yazidi students had stopped attending
their classes at the university.
Most recently, the 2014 Yazidi
genocide that was carried out by the
Islamic State saw over 5,000 Yazidis
killed, thousands of Yazidi women and
girls forced into sexual slavery as well
as the flight of more than 500,000 Yazidi
refugees.
Arabization and Kurdification
Policies
Before the ISIS advance, Iraq’s Yazidis
numbered approximately 500,000.
They were concentrated in Sinjar, 150
kilometers west of Mosul, with a smaller
community in Shaikhan, the Kurdistan
foothills east of Mosul, where their
most holy shrine of Shaykh Adi is located.
The Yazidis have always remained
on the fringes of Iraqi society, but because
of the strategic position of Sinjar
Mountain, they received unwelcome
attention from Hussein’s state security.
Under the Ba’ath regime, repeated
efforts were made to Arabize the area
and to persuade Yazidis that they were
Arab. Reaction was mixed, but some
Yazidis supported the Kurdish national
movement. Yazidis reluctantly
served in the army against Iran, and
the community escaped the Anfal, the
Kurdish genocide, in 1987-1988.
Under persistent pressure to assimilate
with Iraqi Kurds, particularly
in the northern territories, abduction,
and forced marriage were risks for
Yazidis. Yazidi activists reported that
after 2003, there were numerous cases
of Yazidi women being abducted and
forced to marry members of the Kurdish
security force Asayish. Yazidi families
were threatened with reprisals
if women and girls refused marriage
with militia members. Such marriages
effectively sealed off these women
from their families and communities
as Yazidi beliefs prohibit marriage
outside the religion. Those who undertake
such vows thereby renounce their
faith and must identify as Kurdish.
Abduction, Slavery and Genocide
Thousands of Yazidi women and girls
were abducted for forced marriage or
sexual slavery.
The ISIS jihadists captured hundreds
of Yazidi women as Sabiya
(Quran-legitimized sex slaves). In
October 2014, the United Nations
reported that more than 5,000 Yazidis
had been murdered and 5,000 to
7,000 (mostly women and children)
had been abducted by ISIL. ISIS has,
in their digital magazine Dabiq, explicitly
claimed religious justification
for enslaving Yazidi women and sold
them like chattel in markets to ISIS
fighters.
These women, many of them young
girls, were systematically raped and
abused by their ISIS masters (Amirs).
Most remain living in misery as sex
slaves for fanatics who legitimize their
abuse by labeling them “idolaters”
and “infidels.” Older women who were
deemed unworthy to be Sabiya were
dragged away and collectively murdered
in cold blood.
Large numbers of women were
subsequently transported to Syria
to be sold or forcibly married to ISIS
fighters. ISIS’ treatment of the Yazidi
minority has been labeled as genocide
by the United Nations and several other
international organizations.
World Reaction
In response to ISIS’ genocidal assault
of the Yazidis beginning in 2014, the
United States assembled a global coalition
of 80 countries from around the
world to defeat ISIS. A decade later,
Yazidis still struggle to recover in Iraq
and in Syria. Hundreds of thousands
remain displaced, heavily traumatized,
facing threats from an array of
actors.
The Iraqi and US governments
must develop policies for Iraq and Syria
that prioritize Yazidi and minority
rights, they must ensure that Yazidis
do not suffer persecution and further
marginalization even after the military
defeat of ISIS.
Yazidis, Christians, and Mandeans,
more than any other ethnic minority,
were victims of genocide. Responses
by the Iraqi government were not the
correct responses. The Yazidis in Iraq
are seeking not only to preserve their
traditions but also to combat misinformation
and stereotypes about their
faith. But most have been scattered far
and wide from their sacred lands, and
many have joined in the movement of
refugees to Europe. The Yazidis’ exile
from the ancient shrines of their people
threatens to dilute their identity as
a distinct people. There are huge challenges
for the Yazidis, to restore security,
stability, and community security
in the Nineveh / Sinjar region.
It’s not only Yazidis that faced the
wrath of ISIS. In the last two decades,
Iraqi Christians have been reduced by
over 80% from 1.5 million to less than
200 thousand. As of January 2021, the
Sabean-Mandaean population in Iraq
was estimated to be less than 5,000
people. This is a significant decrease
from the 50,000–70,000 Mandaeans
who lived in Iraq before the 2003
US-led invasion. The violence that
followed the invasion, along with
the rise of Islamic extremism, led to
many Mandaeans fleeing the country
for Iran, Syria, Jordan, and other
destinations. Some Mandaeans have
also been forcibly converted to Islam,
which can make them apostates if they
try to return to their religion and could
put their lives at risk. Iraq has few Jews
left, mostly in the KRG region, after
over two millennia.
A peaceful coexistence between
Christians, Yazidis, and Arabs must be
established, together with a legal process
for transitional justice and factfinding.
Ensuring that those involved
in crimes are brought to justice and
compensating the victims and those
affected with fair compensation are
crucial.
We can safely say that the world
would be a less colorful place should
the ancient Yazidi people disappear
from the pages of history, as so many
other ethnic-religious groups in the
Middle East region and Iraq have over
the centuries.
SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA, YAZDA.ORG, PARI IBRAHIM,
FREE YEZIDI FOUNDATION, BYAVI ASHER-SCHAPIRO,
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS, THE GUARDIAN, THE
YAZIDIS NARRATIVE BY ZUHAIR KADHUM ABOOD,
LE YEZIDIS IN SYRIA AND MOUNT SINJAR BY ROGER
LESCOT, BRIAN GLYN WILLIAMS.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 35

Chaldean Community Foundation
CITIZENSHIP
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July 9, 2024 – September 12, 2024
Instruction and preparation for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) naturalization interview.
Tuesday and Thursday
Morning Session: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Evening Session: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
$40 REGISTRATION FEE
Books and materials included
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36 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

CULTURE & HISTORY
نكبات ومأيس ومحن األزيدين يف العراق ‏)الجزء الثاين(‏
بقلم د عضيد مريي
كان مبثابة نقطة تحول مأساوية يف التاريخ.‏ أدى
تقدم داعش إىل سنجار يف أغسطس 2014 إىل
نزوح املجتمع اإلزيدي بأكمله تقريبًا وأرس وقتل
واستعباد اآلالف.‏
وحتى ال نضيع يف صفحات التاريخ والتفسري،‏
فلقد ثبت عمليا وتاريخيا ان االكراه والقوة
والعنف كوسيلة إلجبار وإقناع االنسان عىل
تغيري اميانه ومعتقداته تولد العكس وتزيد من
متسك املرء بأفكاره ودينه.‏ وتأسيسا عىل ذلك
فإننا نجد ان االزيدية التي تستند اىل احكام
ونصوص واعراف وقيم ثابتة نشأت مع بدايات
الزمان واحكام العصور ورغم متطلبات الحياة
وصعوبتها بقي هذا املكون األصيل وشعائره ثابتة
رغم كل املصاعب والتحديات وسط محيط من
األعداء والعداء وحمالت القوة القرسية لفرض
التحول الديني ، وبقي األزيدي يتمسك بدينه
وتراثه وترابه وقيمه رغم كل ما القاه من عنف
وتهجري من السلطات و اهل املنطقة املجاورين
الذين مل يتقبلوا أسس التعايش املشرتك والتسامح
الديني والحوار العقالين فاستعملوا السالح والقوة
واالضطهاد بدال عن املواطنة واإلنسانية ومنطق
العقل ولغة السالم.‏
PHOTO BY ROBERT LEUTHEUSER
إن نكبات ومأيس ومحن األزيدين يف العراق
مازال يلفها الحزن واألىس سيام وأن نفي
اليزيدين من مناطقهم واملزارات القدمية
لشعبهم يهدد بإضعاف هويتهم كشعب ومكوّن
متميز،‏ وال يسعى األزيديون يف العراق إىل
الحفاظ عىل تقاليدهم فحسب،‏ بل يسعون
أيضً‏ ا إىل مكافحة املعلومات الخاطئة والقوالب
النمطية حول عقيدتهم وهناك تحديات
وصعوبات أمام اإلزيديني الستعادة األمن
واالستقرار واألمن املجتمعي يف منطقة نينوى/‏
سنجار،‏ سيام وان معظمهم تشتتوا بعيداً‏ عن
أراضيهم املقدسة،‏ وانضم العديد منهم إىل جمع
الالجئني إىل أوروبا.‏
سبق وأن تناولنا يف عدد شهر متوز 2024
الجزء األول من هذه املقالة ويف هذا الجزء
الثاين من موضوع املقالة سنتناول التحديات
الجيوسياسية مأساة داعش والهجوم عىل سنجار
واإلبادة الجامعية واالضطهاد واالختطاف
والعبودية ودمار البلدات والتحديات واملصري
املجهول لهذا املكوّن العراقي األصيل.‏
التحديات الجيوسياسية
بعد الغزو األمرييك،‏ دخلت منطقة سنجار
ضمن فئة ‏“املناطق املتنازع عليها”.‏ وكانت هذه
األرايض،‏ التي تتكون يف معظمها من مناطق غنية
بالنفط ومناطق زراعية،‏ لفرتة طويلة يف قلب
الرصاع العريب الكردي يف العراق.‏
قبل الغزو األمرييك،‏ كانت هذه املناطق
يف معظمها تحت سيطرة الجيش العراقي ومع
ذلك،‏ بعد سقوط صدام حسني يف عام 2003،
سيطرت حكومة إقليم كردستان عىل أجزاء من
هذه املناطق مبا يف ذلك منطقة سنجار،‏ بدعم
من الجيش األمرييك.‏ وساهمت البيئة الطائفية
والفراغ السيايس الذي أعقب سقوط صدام يف
صعود تنظيم الدولة اإلسالمية يف املنطقة
ومل يكن هجوم تنظيم الدولة اإلسالمية عام
2014، واملعروف باسم ‏“اليوم األسود”،‏ والذي
أدى إىل سقوط سنجار والنزوح الجامعي للمجتمع
اليزيدي،‏ حدثًا منعزالً.‏ بل كانت لها جذورها يف
الغزو األمرييك للعراق عام 2003 والرصاع عىل
السلطة الذي أعقب ذلك.‏
وعشية الهجوم اإلرهايب يف عام 2014، وضع
آالف اليزيدين أمالهم يف وعود السلطات الكردية
بالحامية،‏ ولكن االنسحاب املترسع للقوات
الكردية أمام حفنة من إرهابيي داعش ترك
املنطقة بأكملها بال حامية أو دفاع.‏ وال تزال آفاق
االستقرار األمني واالقتصادي والسيايس يف املنطقة
غري واضحة ولذلك ال يزال موطن اليزيدين يف
منطقة سنجار شاميل العراق منطقة رصاع بعدما
مزقتها الحروب واملصالح اإلقليمية.‏
مأساة داعش
تعترب قصة غزو داعش للوطن اليزيدي يف
أغسطس 2014 رضورية لفهم محنة هذا
املجتمع املهدد باالنقراض والذي واجه قرونًا مام
ال ميكن وصفه إال بأنه اعتداء وإبادة جامعية،‏
وتعترب قصة مأساوية ألتباع دين مسامل يتعرض
وجودهم للتهديد بسبب مزيج من التعصب
من جانب داعش والالمباالة من جانب الدولة
والقوى الغربية.‏ وكثرياً‏ ما يقول أألزيديون أنهم
كانوا ضحايا 72 محاولة إبادة جامعية سابقة،‏ وان
ذاكرة االضطهاد هي عنرص أسايس يف هويتهم
وتأريخهم.‏
وبسبب داعش وغريهم قبلهم عارص
اإلزيديون يف سنجار وأللش تاريخ ميلء باملآيس
والنكبات واملحن.‏ ففي أواخر السبعينيات،‏ أطلق
الرئيس العراقي صدام حسني حمالت تعريب
قرسية ضد األكراد يف شامل العراق،‏ ويف الوقت
نفسه،‏ قام بتدمري القرى اليزيدية التقليدية وأجرب
اليزيدين عىل االستقرار يف املراكز الحرضية،‏ مام
أدى إىل تعطيل أساليب حياتهم الزراعية الريفية،‏
كام وقام نظام صدام ببناء مدينة سنجار وأجرب
اإليزيديني عىل ترك قراهم الجبلية واالنتقال إىل
هذه املدينة.‏
وبينام تعرض أألزيديون يف شامل العراق
عىل هجامت بربرية من قبل،‏ إال أن عام 2014
الهجوم عىل سنجار
يف عام 2014، ومع املكاسب اإلقليمية التي حققتها
الجامعة السلفية املسلحة التي كانت تطلق عىل
نفسها اسم الدولة اإلسالمية يف العراق والشام
‏)داعش(،‏ كان هناك اضطرابات كبرية يف صفوف
السكان اليزيدين العراقيني إذ سبق وان أعلن تنظيم
داعش بأن اليزيدين هم عبدة الشيطان،‏ وبعدها
بفرتة استوىل التنظيم عىل سنجار يف أغسطس 2014
بعد انسحاب قوات البيشمركة الكردية التي كانت
تحمي املنطقة،‏ دون سابق إنذار،‏ تاركة السكان
املحليني بال حامية.‏
وفر ما يقدر بنحو 200,000 مدين اليزيدي
للنجاة بحياتهم،‏ وتوجه ما ال يقل عن 50,000
إىل جبل سنجار،‏ حيث حورصوا يف حرارة الصيف
الحارقة لعدة أيام دون طعام أو ماء.‏ أما أولئك
الذين مل يتمكنوا من الفرار أو الذين حاولوا
الدفاع عن قراهم من مقاتيل داعش،‏ فقد تعرضوا
للقتل أو االختطاف يف وقت الحق،‏ مع مذابح
واسعة النطاق للرجال والفتيان اليزيدين يف قرى
قنية وكوجو وجديل.‏
انسحب معظم السكان الفارين من سنجار
عن طريق سلك الجبال القريبة بهدف الوصول إىل
دهوك يف كردستان العراق ‏)عادةً‏ مسافة خمس
ساعات بالسيارة(.‏ وكانت مخاوفهم كثرية منها نقل
كبار السن وذوي الحالة الصحية الهشة والنساء
واألطفال ونقص املياه وسبل التنقل يف املناطق
الوعرة.‏ ولجأ ما ال يقل عن 40 ألف يزيدي،‏ كثري
منهم من النساء واألطفال،‏ إىل تسعة مواقع عىل
جبل سنجار،‏ الذي هو عبارة عن سلسلة من التالل
الصخرية يبلغ ارتفاعها 1400 مرت )4600 قدم(‏
والتي يقال يف األساطري املحلية عىل أنها كانت
Lalish Valley, northern Iraq (2010).
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 37

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
GED
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 – JANUARY 24, 2025
In-person classes that allow students to learn the information to pass their
GED test (General Education Development Test or high school equivalency).
Offered in the four subjects needed to pass the GED:
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• Reading Language Arts
Science
Monday – Thursday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Reading Language Arts
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Books, materials, and testing costs included.
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38 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

CULTURE & HISTORY
املثوى األخري للنبي نوح عليه السالم.‏
وبعد فرتة متكن 20.000 إىل 30.000 يزيدي،‏
معظمهم من النساء واألطفال،‏ املحارصين من
قبل داعش،‏ من الفرار من جبل سنجار بعد
تدخل وحدات حامية الشعب ‏)واي يب جي(‏
وحزب العامل الكردستاين ‏)به ككه(‏ لوقف
داعش.‏ وفتحوا لهم ممراً‏ إنسانياً،‏ وساعدوهم عىل
عبور نهر دجلة إىل ‏)روج آفا(‏ يف سوريا.‏ إذ كانوا
يواجهون الذبح عىل أيدي الجهاديني املحيطني
بهم يف األسفل إذا فروا،‏ أو املوت بسبب الجفاف
إذا بقوا.‏
تم التعامل مع النساء األسريات كغنائم حرب
وتم بيع النساء والفتيات الاليت يعتنقن اإلسالم
كعرائس،‏ وكعبيدات جنسية ومن هن نادية مراد،‏
الناشطة األزيدية يف مجال حقوق اإلنسان والحائزة
عىل جائزة نوبل للسالم لعام 2018، التي اختطفت
واستخدمت كعبيدة جنس من قبل داعش يف عام
2014 أما الاليت يرفضن التحول فيتعرضن للتعذيب
واالغتصاب والقتل وتم دفع بعضهن إىل االنتحار يف
نهاية املطاف.‏ أما األطفال الذين يولدون يف السجن
الذي تحتجز فيه النساء فكانوا يُؤخذون قرسه من
أمهاتهم إىل مصري مجهول.‏
االضطهاد
إن تاريخ املجتمع اليزيدي يف شامل العراق ميلء
بالقمع والعنف.‏ إذ عاىن اإلزيديون ملا يقرب من
ستة قرون من اضطهاد ومجازر الدولة العثامنية
)1299 – 1922( وبعد تفكك اإلمرباطورية
العثامنية يف أوائل القرن العرشين،‏ استهدف
الجيش الربيطاين اليزيدين واملجموعات العرقية
األخرى يف شامل العراق،‏ وتعرض األزيدىة اىل
مصاعب ونكبات مستمرة سببها بعض قادتهم
الدينني ومتسكهم بغموض وتقاليد مذهبهم
وعزلتهم وسط محيط من العداء الديني
والسيايس ومل يعيشوا بأمان واستقرار اال يف
ضل الحكم املليك الوطني يف العراق واستمرت
الحمالت العنيفة ضد اإليزيديني خالل نظام
البعث الذي توىل السلطة يف العراق من عام
1968 إىل عام 2003.
يف أعقاب غزو العراق يف مارس/آذار 2003،
واجه أألزيديون اضطهاداً‏ متزايداً‏ من قبل
املتطرفني الدينيني الذين اعتربوهم خطأً‏ ‏“عبدة
الشيطان”‏ بسبب سوء تفسري لدينهم.‏ وكان أفراد
املجتمع يستهدفون بانتظام من قبل املتطرفني.‏
ويقدر تقرير صدر يف يوليو/متوز 2008 عن وزارة
حقوق اإلنسان العراقية أنه يف الفرتة ما بني 2003
ونهاية 2007، قُتل ما مجموعه 335 أزيدياً‏ يف
هجامت مبارشة أو غري مبارشة.‏
غالبًا ما كان تأثري هذه الهجامت والهجامت
الالحقة عىل املجتمع بعيد املدى.‏ خالل عام
2013، عىل سبيل املثال،‏ كانت هناك هجامت
عديدة عىل الطالب اليزيدين الذين يدرسون يف
جامعة املوصل.‏ وبحلول نهاية العام،‏ توقف حوايل
2000 طالب ازيدي عن االلتحاق بالجامعة.‏
ويف اآلونة األخرية،‏ شهدت اإلبادة الجامعية
لليزيدين عام 2014 التي نفذها تنظيم الدولة
اإلسالمية اإلرهايب ‏)داعش(‏ مقتل أكرث من 5000
إزيدي،‏ مع إجبار اآلالف من النساء والفتيات
اليزيديات عىل العبودية الجنسية وفرار ونزوح
وهجرة وأكرث من 500000 الجئ ازيدي.‏
التعريب والتكريد
قبل تقدم داعش،‏ كان عدد اليزيدين يف العراق
حوايل 500 ألف،‏ وكانوا يرتكزون يف سنجار،‏ عىل
بعد 150 كيلومرتًا غرب املوصل،‏ مع مجتمع
أصغر يف شيخان،‏ سفوح كردستان رشق املوصل،‏
حيث يقع رضيحهم األكرث قداسة للشيخ عدي
بن مسافر.‏ واليزيديون هم إىل حد كبري مزارعون
ورعاة فقراء لديهم تسلسل هرمي ديني وسيايس
متدرج بشكل صارم،‏ ومييلون إىل الحفاظ عىل
مجتمع أكرث انغالقًا من املجموعات العرقية أو
الدينية األخرى.‏
لقد ظل اإلزيديون دامئًا عىل هامش املجتمع
العراقي،‏ ولكن بسبب املوقع االسرتاتيجي لجبل
سنجار،‏ فقد تلقوا اهتاممًا غري مرحب به من
أمن دولة صدام.‏ ويف ظل نظام البعث،‏ بُذلت
جهود متكررة لتعريب املنطقة وإقناع اإليزيديني
بأنهم عرب.‏ كانت ردود الفعل متباينة،‏ لكن
بعض اإليزيديني دعموا الحركة الوطنية الكردية.‏
خدم اإلزيديون عىل مضض يف الجيش ضد إيران،‏
وفرّت الطائفة من حملة األنفال،‏ اإلبادة الجامعية
الكردية،‏ يف عامي 1987 و‎1988‎
ويف ظل الضغط املستمر لالندماج مع األكراد
العراقيني،‏ وخاصة يف املناطق الشاملية،‏ كان
االختطاف والزواج القرسي يشكالن خطراً‏ عىل
اإليزيديني.‏ أفاد نشطاء إزيديون أنه بعد عام
2003، كانت هناك حاالت عديدة لنساء يزيديات
تم اختطافهن وإجبارهن عىل الزواج من أفراد
من قوات األمن الكردية ‏“آسايش”.‏ وتعرضت
األرس اليزيدية للتهديد باالنتقام إذا رفضت النساء
والفتيات الزواج من أفراد امليليشيات.‏ مثل هذه
الزيجات تعزل هؤالء النساء فعليًا عن عائالتهن
ومجتمعاتهن ألن املعتقدات اليزيدية تحظر
الزواج خارج الدين.‏ أولئك الذين يتعهدون مبثل
هذه الوعود يتخلون عن عقيدتهم ويجب عليهم
تعريف أنفسهم بأنهم أكراد.‏
االختطاف والعبودية واإلبادة
يف أكتوبر 2014، أفادت األمم املتحدة أن أكرث من
5000 يزيدي قتلوا واختطف تنظيم داعش ما بني
5000 إىل 7000 ‏)معظمهم من النساء واألطفال(.‏
وقد ادعى داعش،‏ يف مجلته الرقمية دابق،‏ رصاحةً‏
وجود مربر ديني الستعباد النساء األزيديات.‏
ومع سيطرة تنظيم الدولة اإلسالمية عىل
منطقة سنجار فر مئات اآلالف من اإليزيديني إىل
جبل سنجار وسط حرارة الصيف الحارقة.‏ وتم
اختطاف اآلالف من النساء والفتيات اإلزيديات
بغرض الزواج القرسي أو االستعباد الجنيس.‏ وتم
بعد ذلك نقل أعداد كبرية من النساء إىل سوريا
لبيعهن أو تزويجهن قرساً‏ ملقاتيل داعش.‏ وقد
وصفت معاملة داعش لألقلية اليزيدية بأنها
إبادة جامعية من قبل األمم املتحدة والعديد من
املنظامت الدولية األخرى.‏
استوىل الجهاديون عىل مئات النساء
األزيديات كعبيد جنس رشعهن القرآن وباعوهن
مثل املتاع يف األسواق ملقاتيل داعش.‏ تعرضت
هؤالء النساء،‏ والعديد منهن فتيات صغريات،‏
لالغتصاب واإلساءة بشكل منهجي من قبل أمراء
داعش وال يزال معظمهم يعيشون يف بؤس كعبيد
جنس للمتعصبني الذين يضفي الرشعية عىل
إساءة معاملتهم من خالل وصفهم ب ‏“املرشكني”‏
و”الكفار”‏ ‏)مل تحظ محنتهم بنفس القدر من
االهتامم الذي حظيت به عملية اختطاف
تلميذات املدارس عىل يد إرهابيي بوكو حرام
الجهاديني يف نيجرييا(.‏ تم جر النساء األكرب سناً‏
الاليت ال يستحققن أن يكونوا صبية،‏ وتم قتلهن
بشكل جامعي وبدم بارد.‏
ردود املجتمع الدويل
رداً‏ عىل هجوم اإلبادة الجامعية الذي ارتكبه
تنظيم داعش ضد اإليزيديني ابتداءً‏ من عام
2014، قامت الواليات املتحدة بتجميع تحالف
عاملي يضم 80 دولة من جميع أنحاء العامل
لهزمية داعش.‏ وبعد مرور عرشة سنوات،‏ ال يزال
األزيديون يكافحون من أجل التعايف يف العراق
وسوريا.‏ وال يزال مئات اآلالف من األشخاص
نازحني،‏ ويعانون من صدمات نفسية شديدة،‏
ويواجهون تهديدات من مجموعة من الجهات
الفاعلة.‏
يف نهاية املطاف يجب عىل الحكومة العراقية
واإلدارة األمريكية التي كان لها دور يف صدمات
ما حصل للمكونات التأريخية يف العراق وسوريا
أن تعطي األولوية لحقوق اإليزيديني واألقليات،‏
ويجب عليهم التأكد من أن اإليزيديني واملكونات
األصيلة يف البالد ال يعانون من االضطهاد ومزيد
من التهميش حتى بعد الهزمية العسكرية
لداعش.‏
ولغاية اليوم مل يتم تنفيذ االتفاق الذي
وقعته حكومتا كردستان والعراق عام 2020
الستعادة االستقرار يف منطقة سنجار حتى اآلن.‏
ويوفر هذا االتفاق إطارًا لرتحيل ونزع سالح
جميع الجامعات املسلحة يف املنطقة وإعادة
توطني اليزيدين الساكنني يف مخيامت الالجئني يف
كردستان ومساعدة النازحني اليزيدين عىل العودة
إىل ارضهم ووطنهم.‏
حلول أم مصري مجهول؟
كان األزيديون واملسيحيون واملندائيون واألقليات
األخرى أكرث من أي أقلية عرقية أخرى ضحايا
لإلبادة الجامعية ومل تكن ردود الحكومات
العراقية املتعاقبة هي االستجابات الصحيحة.‏
وال يسعى اإلزيديون يف العراق إىل الحفاظ عىل
تقاليدهم فحسب،‏ بل يسعون أيضً‏ ا إىل مكافحة
املعلومات الخاطئة والقوالب النمطية حول
عقيدتهم،‏ ومعظمهم تشتتوا بعيداً‏ عن أراضيهم
املقدسة،‏ وانضم العديد منهم إىل حركة الالجئني
إىل أوروبا.‏ إن نفي اإلزيديني من املزارات القدمية
لشعبهم يهدد بإضعاف هويتهم كشعب متميز
وهناك امامهم تحديات كبرية لإلعامر والستعادة
األمن واالستقرار واألمن املجتمعي يف منطقة
نينوى/سنجار.‏
ومل يكن اإلزيديون وحدهم هم الذين
واجهوا غضب داعش،‏ إذ يف العقدين األخريين،‏
انخفض عدد املسيحيني العراقيني بنسبة تزيد
عىل 80%، من 1.5 مليون إىل اقل من 200 ألف
وأصبح عدد الصابئة املندائيني اقل من 5000 األف
بعد ان كان عددهم يف ‎70‎يقدر 2003 ب 70000
ألف مواطن،‏ كام وفرغ العراق من اليهود بعد
وجودهم فيه منذ العرص البابيل قبل أكرث من
ألفي عام.‏ والعد التنازيل ملا تبقى من املكونات
مازال باستمرار يف عراق تهدمت فيه كافة املعامل
الحضارية منذ 2003
بعد أن قدمنا مثل هذه القراءة ملأساة إخوتنا
يف األرض والوطن والطني ودافعنا عن إحدى
املكونات والديانات املهددة باالنقراض،‏ نحن
نؤمن برضورة إقامة تعايش سلمي بني املسيحيني
واإليزيديني والعرب والكرد جنبًا إىل جنب مع
صون العملية القانونية للعدالة وتقيص الحقائق
وضامن تقديم املتورطني يف الجرائم إىل العدالة
وتعويض الضحايا واملترضرين تعويضاً‏ عادالً.‏
وميكننا القول بأن العراق سيكون أقل تنوعًا إذا
اختفى الشعب اليزيدي القديم من صفحات
التاريخ كام حدث مع العديد من املجموعات
العرقية والدينية األخرى يف منطقة الرشق األوسط
والعراق عىل مر القرون.‏
املصادر:‏ ويكيبيديا،‏ يزدا،‏ املؤسسة األزيدية
الحرة،‏ ناشيونال جيوغرافيك،‏ الغارديان اللندنية،‏
باري إبراهيم،‏ بيايف أرش شابريو،‏ براين كًلني
ويليامز وكتب الكتاب املذكورة يف املقدمة أعاله.‏
Tawus Melek peacock door.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 39

ONE-ON-ONE
A Candid Conversation with the Bishop of Alqoush
BY ADHID YOUSIF MIRI, PHD
Part I
The Chaldean Community Foundation
hosted His Excellency
Bishop Mar Boulos Thabet,
Bishop of the Diocese of Alqoush,
Friday, June 21, during his visit to the
United States. The Chaldean News
took the opportunity to have a conversation
that addressed several issues
and challenges that concern both the
diaspora community and our Christian
community in Iraq.
The bishop highlighted the challenges
and opportunities facing the
people in the Nineveh Plain region
and discussion topics included: ways
to support the minority community in
Iraq (Mosul); the catastrophic situation
after the shock of ISIS; conditions of the
displaced; demographic changes; the
coexistence between the diverse components
in the region; and the historic
visit of Pope Francis in 2021.
Chaldean News: Your Excellency
the Bishop, please tell us about the
Diocese of Alqoush and the current
situation of Christians and towns in the
Nineveh Plain.
Bishop Thabet: Before 2003, the
Nineveh Plain region was relatively
stable and home to the largest Christian
population in the entire country.
It was the region’s breadbasket,
known for its rich fields, fertile farms,
and abundant seasonal crops, which
were sufficient to feed a portion of the
people of Iraq. However, stability and
security were disrupted by sectarian
events and the rise of Al-Qaeda. After
2003 and 2006, many Christians and
others were displaced from Baghdad,
Basra, and Mosul to the towns of the
Nineveh Plain, Ankawa, and the Kurdistan
Region, for fear of Al-Qaeda.
This displacement caused a significant
increase in the numbers of the
people of the Nineveh Plain for years
until the disaster and shock of ISIS
occurred in 2014, signaling the beginning
of a new and more painful phase
of displacement towards the Kurdistan
region and migration outside Iraq. I
was responsible for managing the affairs
of Chaldean immigrants in Ankawa,
and I worked hard to keep hope
alive in people’s souls and spirits.
After the liberation of Nineveh from
ISIS in 2017, a new reality occurred that
included a change in the balance of
power, intersecting geographic lines,
and security barriers that divided the
region, the towns, and the population.
It made it complicated for the return of
the displaced. Unfortunately, things
were not ideal, and only 30%-40% of
the displaced returned to their towns
and were shocked to witness the horror
and destruction.
CN: What about the state of security
and stability; is there hope for the
return of normal life?
Bishop: How do we measure security?
We are talking about one Nineveh
Plain, while in reality it is divided by
a security barrier, checkpoints, and
controls between towns that act as a
BISHOP continued on page 42
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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 41

BISHOP continued from page 40
barrier and cause demographic, geographic,
and economic changes.
Before 2003, the Nineveh Plain
region consisted of towns that were
geographically connected and demographically
continuous throughout
history, and now we find that they
have become isolated and resemble
separate islands and population areas.
Additionally, during the pre-ISIS
era, we knew who was responsible for
maintaining the security of the region.
After ISIS invaded on August 6, 2014,
the region remained under ISIS control
until October 16, 2016, and since
liberation, there has been no single
security controller in the region.
But truth be told, Christians can
move easily in the Nineveh Plain because
they do not pose a threat to the
security services or other citizens,
however, some difficulties remain,
such as in the presence of a security
barrier separating the Kurdistan region
from the central government
sites, and because of that isolation, we
see farmers moving between the curtain
barrier and their farms during the
planting and harvesting seasons.
CN: How did ISIS change the
conditions of the region?
Bishop: The ISIS crisis and catastrophe
is not only in the Nineveh Plain,
Mosul, and Iraq but extends to the
Middle East and beyond. In mid-2014,
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIS) took control of Karamles
and the Hamdaniya district (southeast
of Mosul) and damaged government
buildings in the center of the district,
in addition to destroying and burning
thousands of homes and religious
places. This barbaric invasion forced
almost all of the city’s Christians to
flee for their lives.
The 2014 ISIS attack was something
that we could never imagine or fathom.
The possibility of its occurrence was beyond
our imagination. We used to hear
and read about historical genocides
that occurred in the distant past but remained
engraved in our memory only,
such as the genocides of Nader Shah in
1743, Mir Kor, and the Sayfo massacres
in the northern regions.
I did not believe that ISIS would
come to Karamles, and I remained in
my hometown until the last hours, but
when we saw that the security forces
charged with protecting the area were
withdrawing before our eyes, we realized
the magnitude of the disaster and
decided to leave. Our major concern
was to save precious historical manuscripts
from the Mar Addi Church in
Karamles, and I did that.
ISIS occupied and destroyed my
house and others in the neighborhood
in which I lived. The terrorists broke
the tower and bell of the church and
dug up the graves of the priests inside
the church cemetery, including the
grave of Abouna Salem, the nephew of
Bishop Gabriel Genny. They took out
the coffin in search of crosses and gold
but found nothing but the remains of
the priest and his church attire.
The number of Christians there was
about 120,000 people, when ISIS attacked
the areas of the Nineveh Plain,
subsequently, we lost more than 45% of
the population of these areas who were
displaced. For example, in the town of
Batnaya, the number of families was
about 1,000, of which only 215 families
remain today, in addition to 100 families
scattered in other towns. The percentages
vary, as some areas lost 45% others
lost 60% of their population, and
the continuous immigration still poses
a threat to Christians leaving their land.
The number of returning displaced
people began to gradually increase
after the liberation of the area in 2017,
but not all residents of the area returned
to their homes because of the
hurt inflicted upon them because of
the ISIS war. Unfortunately, Bartella
lost most of its Christian population,
and Karamles lost 70% of its people.
Many displaced people still live in Ankawa
and the Kurdistan region.
CN: Are there accurate statistics and
follow-ups on the damage caused by ISIS?
Bishop: After the liberation, when we
returned to our cities, we found devastation
everywhere, and most Christian
families found nothing but burned
homes, damaged buildings, and destroyed
infrastructure, as ISIS wreaked
havoc in the city during its occupation.
We have detailed statistics about the
amount of damage, destruction, stolen
personal properties, and burned
homes. Unfortunately, many of the
destroyed homes cannot be restored.
There must be a role and responsibility
for the government in rebuilding
About Mar Boulos Thabet
Habib Youssef Al-Makko,
Bishop of Alqosh
Father’s name: Habib Youssef Mansour
Mother’s name: Heleni Hanna Mamouka
Siblings: Two brothers and three sisters
Date of birth: 2/14/1976
Place of birth: Karamles - Nineveh
Date of baptism: 3/26/1976 - Mar Addi Church
Civil Studies: Bachelor of Science/Geology
Theological studies: Bachelor of Theology from the European University /
Bachelor of Patristics - Augustinian Institute - Lateran - Rome
Languages: Italian - English - Syriac - Chaldean - and Arabic
Ordination: Ordained a priest on 7/25/2008
Service locations: Mar Addi - Karamles from 9/1/2011 - 8/6/2014 and Erbil:
Pastoral service for the displaced from the Diocese of Mosul/Relief for Chaldean
refugees to Erbil 8/7/2014- 9/1/2017
Rebuilding: Worked diligently in rebuilding the town of Karamles on 9/1/2017
Teaching: Professor of Fathers at Babylon College - Christian education courses
the stricken cities and speeding up reconstruction.
It is not right for us to cry over what
happened, but rather to roll up our
sleeves for reconstruction again and to
restore all the requirements for return.
There is a strong desire and will to survive
and revive, and we have hope and
faith to achieve that.
CN: How did you face the challenges
of returning displaced persons and
rebuilding?
Bishop: The Church was proactive
and at the forefront in confronting
the crises of displacement and reconstruction.
It made many efforts to help
return Christians to their villages and
hold on to their land.
The task was very difficult, and one
of the first activities was to conduct an
extensive survey of the needs of the affected
towns and villages. The survey
results showed that people need basic
things like housing, food, education,
job training, counseling, spiritual development,
and stable jobs. With the
support of some international organizations
and following a solid plan to
educate citizens, we were able to restore
peaceful coexistence in the region.
We needed new thinking that keeps
pace with the needs in our regions and
addresses issues of jobs, unemployment,
economic stagnation, restoring
services, and infrastructure necessities
(electricity, water, hospitals, health
centers, schools), and certainly the continuation
of aid provided to citizens,
especially farmers, it will help them
return, survive and revive agricultural
lands, and will contribute to the return
of stability and coexistence.
The basic needs of a decent life are
security, stability, social justice, and
continuity in all areas of life.
International organizations have
played a prominent role in this regard
through their programs, expertise, and
small loans, such as those now granted
to farmers, to take care of the agricultural
sector in their regions.
We recently learned about the efforts
of the Chaldean-American Chamber
of Commerce in supporting the
people of the region, and we hope that
communication channels and bridges
between us will continue so that we
can support people, provide job opportunities
for the private sector, and
complete reconstruction projects in
the Nineveh Plain.
CN: What about demographic changes?
Bishop: Resisting demographic changes
and adhering to rights and the language
of the law requires determination
and administrative will. As Christians
present in this land for generations, we
call on our people to be patient, resilient,
and steadfast in their land.
We have a mission in this country,
which is to continue the message
of peace and love. We were the first
builders of this civilization, and we
want to contribute to building and
elevating this nation, which we hope
will become a secular state based on
the rule of law and national interest.
We call on everyone to pray for this
country and remain firm in this land to
obtain full rights.
What concerns us is activating
civil laws and that the Iraqi parliament
BISHOP continued on page 44
42 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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ONE-ON-ONE
BISHOP continued from page 42
and constitution take bold steps and
decisions to preserve land ownership
rights and prevent demographic and
geographic changes.
The problem we face is the lack of
desire and ability to implement the
laws by state agencies. We want clear
laws that define and preserve the properties
and places of historical components
of Iraq, and constitutional
changes regarding the personal status
law. People must feel equal and that
this is their homeland and a government
that will protect them.
CN: In 2018, then Vice President Mike
Pence and the government of the
United States promised to allocate
$300 million, plus an additional $85
million for the reconstruction of the
Nineveh Plain. The Iraqi government
also promised other amounts,
including $30 million from the Iraqi
Prime Minister in 2024. Has that
money been allocated?
Bishop: I was in Washington in 2019
when this aid was announced. This
aid was supposed to go directly to the
people who needed it and not to a special
group of beneficiaries. There were
crooked bureaucratic channels, delays,
and corruption. These amounts
had temporary benefits and did not
reach the right people who needed
them. Support became zero after the
spread of COVID-19 and the start of the
Ukrainian war.
Christians are frustrated today, due
to neglect and delayed reconstruction.
There are many challenges, especially
immigration, unemployment, and the
difficulty of movement and development
of their areas. The people were
disappointed after the destruction and
burning of their areas and villages,
and for the forced displacement to
which they were subjected. They feel
that they are forgotten.
There was a glimpse of hope
through the humanitarian work of
organizations such as the Lutheran
Samaritas, YCN (Qaraqosh), the
Knights of Columbus (Karamles),
and those working with Hungary in
rebuilding homes (Telsquf). This aid
was a gesture and a message of hope
for our people in these areas and
played an important role in planting
hope, encouraging survival, and ensuring
that they are not forgotten.
The Republic of Hungary was
among the generous countries that
provided us with the most support to
help Christians in the Nineveh Plain
region. We know very well Hungary’s
honorable stands regarding the Christian
presence in the Middle East. In
the town of Telsquf, Hungary had a
major share in the reconstruction of
this town. The contributions included
citizens’ homes, part of the church,
kindergartens, a model school in the
town of Alqoush, an educational farm,
which serves as a school that teaches
modern agricultural methods to all
the people of the region without exception,
built on the church’s land in
Alqoush and in cooperation with it.
USAID worked to rehabilitate the
electricity grid, water networks, street
lighting, state facilities, buildings, and
clinics, and support the employment
of the workforce. We worked with
them to drill five water wells, but we
question if this support is sufficient
and at the required level.
CN: Pope Francis’s visit to Iraq and the
Nineveh Plain in 2021 was an historic
event, with his message of peace: “Iraq
is the homeland of everyone and for
everyone.” What came after the visit?
Were there any lasting results?
Bishop: The Pope’s visit in 2021 put
the Nineveh Plain under the spotlight
of the international media and was a
historical milestone, as it was clear to
Pope Francis and the world the extent
of the people’s faith, steadfastness,
rootedness, and desire to remain in the
historical cities of their ancestors.
The visit was quick and short. His
Holiness wanted to see for himself the
status and affairs of life in the Nineveh
Plain. We were hoping for many
achievements after the Pope’s visit,
and not limited ones. Because of that
papal visit, campaigns were undertaken
to restore and rebuild some churches
by foreign and local organizations,
but unfortunately, not all the burned
churches and religious sites destroyed
by ISIS terrorists were restored. These
important sites in Mosul and its districts
were not given priority by Iraqi
officials. The main church (Al-Tahira)
in Al-Hamdaniya and the monastery
buildings were used as shooting ranges
and training grounds by ISIS gangs.
Our hope will remain alive and
with God’s help and circumstances
permitting, efforts will continue to
restore hope, develop the infrastructure,
and the economy, provide job
opportunities in Christian areas, and
assist the church in establishing the
necessary service institutions that
provide work for many young people
and provide services to citizens.
Our hope will
remain alive and
with God’s help
and circumstances
permitting, efforts
will continue to
restore hope.
CN: What about rebuilding destroyed
churches and religious sites?
Bishop: In our geographic areas we
have religious extensions. For example,
the Diocese of Alqoush extends to
Batnaya, where there is still a church
that has not been reconstructed, and
in Baqoufa there are old churches
that need maintenance. There are
also church centers and monasteries
located in the eastern Nineveh Plain,
and in the Hamdaniyah region, there
are churches that need reconstruction
and monasteries. It needs restoration
to continue the testimony it provided
from the beginning until today.
But before we talk about churches,
let’s talk about the many destroyed
and burned homes in these villages
that need reconstruction. Since
the beginning of the reconstruction
campaign led by the church in the
Nineveh Plain, our goal was to rebuild
homes above all else, and we renovated
the homes of citizens before we rebuilt
churches, because churches are
for the sake of the citizens, and the
church is of no use unless the person
is present and lives in dignity, so we
set out to Reconstructing the dilapidated
and burned houses first, then
we reconstructed the churches to provide
services in light of the necessary
need for them, but many church institutions
are still dilapidated and need
to be built and restored.
It is good to see that the churches
of Mosul are being rehabilitated with
the funds allocated to them by the
Vatican and foreign organizations,
and we hope that the Iraqi government
will allocate a budget for the
reconstruction of religious places
within its budgets and plans.
CN: What is the fate of the Christian
Church and the future of Christians in
Iraq? Let us be realistic, Christianity
in Iraq will not return to what it was,
so what does the future hold for us?
Bishop: I come across this question
often. As you know many turning
points cannot be predicted in the
paths of history, and the future remains
ambiguous. However, there
are calculations of faith and considerations
of a spiritual flame that may
lead us toward the correct answer.
The challenges are many and
great, and the problem is not only
political, religious, and economic,
but rather it is intellectual, cultural,
societal, and legal. There must be
constitutional steps to preserve the
rights of components and protect
lands and property, and the lessons
learned are in the power and
strength of courts, and just application
of laws.
The local population suffers from
constant anxiety, fear of the future,
and problems caused by instability
since 2003 and the periods of ISIS
occupation. Immigration and population
loss are among the most difficult
challenges facing us today, in
addition to restoring security, reviving
the local economy, and keeping
the Nineveh Plain region away from
political and local conflicts.
Much remains to be done to help
restore the region’s ancient Christian
communities, and it is a major task,
requiring charitable assistance from
the international community as well
as the commitment and dedication
of local believers. We must establish
strong relationships and bonds
between everyone that are based on
love, cooperation, and mutual respect,
even if we differ in religious
and sectarian affiliation. We must bypass
all the obstacles that stand in the
way of developing this relationship
and use it for the public good.
44 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 45

46 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

ONE-ON-ONE
لقاء وحوار مع سيادة املطران مار بولص ثابت حبيب
يوسف ال مكو مطران ابرشية القوش
بقلم د عضيد يوسف مريي
وجغرافية واقتصادية،‏ إذ كان سهل نينوى قبل
2003 يتكوّن من مناطق وبلدات متصلة جغرافيا
ومتواصلة سكانياً‏ عرب التاريخ واالن نجدها
أصبحت منعزلة وتشبه مسطحات األهوار كجزر
ومجمعات منفصلة.‏
وقبل داعش،‏ كنا نعرف من هي الجهة
املسؤولة عن مسك أمن املنطقة،‏ ولكن بعد غزو
داعش يف 6 أغسطس 2014، بقيت املنطقة تحت
سيطرة داعش حتى 16 أكتوبر 2016، ولكن منذ
التحرير ال يوجد قرار أمنى واحد يف املنطقة.‏
ولكن الحق يقال ان املسيحيون بوسعهم
التحرك والتنقل بسهولة يف سهل نينوى لكونهم ال
يشكلون خطرا عىل األجهزة األمنية أو املواطنني
األخرين،‏ ولكن بعض الصعوبات باقية كام يف
وجود ساتر أمنى يفصل منطقة إقليم كردستان
عن مواقع الحكومة املركزية،‏ وبسبب ذلك
العزل نرى املزارعني يتنقلون بني الحاجز الساتر
ومزارعهم اثناء موسمي الزرع والحصاد.‏
استضافت مؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية يف يوم الجمعة
21 حزيران/يونيو 2024، سيادة املطران مار بولص
ثابت حبيب يوسف ال مكو مطران ابرشية القوش
أثناء زيارته للواليات املتحدة وتواجده يف والية
ميشيغان واغتنمت مجلة ‏)كالديان نيوز - أخبار
الكلدان(‏ الفرصة إلجراء لقاء وحوار تناول عدد من
االهتاممات والتحديات التي تثري قلق الجالية يف
املهجر واملكونات واملواطنني يف العراق،‏ سلط فيها
املطران الجليل األضواء عىل التحديات والفرص التي
تواجه األهايل يف منطقة سهل نينوى وناقش سبل
دعم مجتمع األقليات يف العراق ‏)املوصل(‏ والوضع
الكاريث بعد صدمة داعش،‏ وأحوال النازحني والتغريات
الدميوغرافية و إعادة اإلعامر،‏ وزيارة البابا فرنسيس
والتعايش بني املكونات املتنوعة يف املنطقة.‏ وأدناه
نص املقابلة التي أجراها كاتب هذه املقالة:‏
نبذة عن مطران القوش مار بولص
ثابت حبيب يوسف ال مكو
اسم االب الثاليث:‏ حبيب يوسف منصور
اسم االم الثاليث:‏ هيالين حنا ماموكا
له شقيقان وثالث شقيقات
تاريخ الوالدة:‏ 1976 /2 /14
مكان الوالدة:‏ كرمليس - نينوى
تاريخ العامد:‏ - 1976 3/ 26/ كنيسة مار ادي
الدراسة املدنية:‏ بكالوريوس علوم/‏ الجيولوجيا
الدراسة الالهوتية:‏ بكالوريوس الهوت من
الجامعة االوربانية/‏ ليسانس علم االباء-‏ املعهد
االوغسطيني - الالتريان - روما
اللغات:‏ االيطالية-‏ االنكليزية - الرسيانية -
الكلدانية - والعربية
ارتسم كاهنا بتاريخ 2008 7/ 25/
أماكن الخدمة:‏ خورنة مار ادي - كرمليس من 1/
2014 /6/8 2011- /9
أربيل:‏ الخدمة الراعوية للمهجرين من أبرشية
املوصل/‏ االغاثة للكلدان الالجئني اىل اربيل
.2017 /9 /1 7/8/2014-
عمل بهمّة وجد يف اعادة اعامر بلدة كرمليس
2017 /1/9
استاذ مادة اآلباء يف كلية بابل - دورات التثقيف
املسيحي
س – سيادة املطران تفضل وأخربنا
عن أبرشية القوش وأوضاع املسيحيني
والبلدات يف سهل نينوى
ج - املطران ثابت
قبل عام 2003، كانت منطقة سهل نينوى مستقرة
نسبيا وموطنًا ألكرب عدد من السكان املسيحيني
يف البالد بأكملها،‏ وكانت سلة غذاء املنطقة،‏
ومعروفة بحقولها الغنية ومزارعها الخصبة
ومحاصيلها املوسمية الغزيرة وكانت تكفي إلطعام
جزء من اهل العراق،‏ ولكن االستقرار واألمان
تخلخل بسبب األحداث الطائفية وصعود القاعدة
بعد 2003 و‎2006‎ ونزوح الكثريين من املسيحني
وغريهم من بغداد والبرصة واملوصل اىل بلدات
سهل نينوى وعنكاوا وإقليم كردستان خوفاً‏ من
تنظيم القاعدة.‏
تسبب هذا النزوح يف زيادة كبرية لنفوس
أهايل سهل نينوى لفرتة أعوام اىل أن حصلت كارثة
وصدمة داعش يف 2014 لتبدأ مرحلة جديدة
وأكرث ايالماً‏ من النزوح صوب إقليم كردستان
والهجرة خارج العراق.‏ وأنا كنت مسؤوالً‏ عن
إدارة شؤون املهجرين الكلدان يف عنكاوا وعملت
بكل جد من أجل إبقاء األمل حي يف نفوس
الناس.‏
بعد تحرير سل نينوى من داعش عام 2017،
حصل واقع جديد شمل تغيري يف موازين القوى
وخطوط جغرافية متقاطعة وسواتر امنية عازلة
قسمت املنطقة والبلدات والسكان وصعبت
وعقدت عودة النازحني،‏ ولألسف مل تكن األمور
مثالية ومل يعود من النازحني اىل بلداتهم سوى
-30% 40% لينصدموا بهول الدمار وال تزال كثري
من البيوت والبلدات بحاجة اىل إعادة اإلعامر
واستقرار سكانها الذين عادوا اليها من مناطق
نزوحهم داخل العراق.‏
س-‏ ماذا عن حالة أآلمن واالستقرار يف الوقت
الحارض وهل هناك أمل بعودة الحياة الطبيعية؟
ج – ما هو مقياس األمان؟ فنحن نتكلم عن
سهل نينوى واحد بينام هو يف واقع الحال مقسم
بساتر أمني،‏ ونقاط تفتيش وسيطرات بني البلدات
تعمل كحاجز وسببت يف تغريات دميغرافية
س - كيف غريت داعش احوال
املنطقة؟
ج - أزمة وكارثة داعش ليست فقط يف سهل نينوى
واملوصل والعراق فحسب،‏ بل متتد اىل الرشق
األوسط وأبعد.‏ ففي منتصف عام 2014، سيطر
تنظيم الدولة اإلسالمية يف العراق والشام ‏)داعش(‏
عىل كرمليس وقضاء الحمدانية ‏)جنوب رشق
املوصل(‏ وألحق أرضارًا باملباين الحكومية يف مركز
القضاء،‏ باإلضافة إىل تدمري وحرق آالف املنازل
واألماكن الدينية.‏ وأجرب هذا الغزو الهمجي جميع
مسيحيي املدينة تقريبًا عىل الفرار للنجاة بحياتهم.‏
ما حصل يف هجوم 2014 كان امر ال يأتينا
حتى يف الخيال وكنا نسمع ونقرأ عن إبادات
تأريخية حدثت وبقيت محفورة يف الذاكرة فقط،‏
ومنها ابادات نادر شاه عام 1743 ومري كور
ومجازر سيفو يف مناطق الشامل وحتى الساعات
األخرية مل أكن أصدق أن داعش سيايت اىل كرمليس
وبقيت فيها اىل الساعات األخرية،‏ ولكن حينام
رأينا ان القوات األمنية املكلفة بحامية املنطقة
تنسحب امام اعيننا،‏ أدركنا حجم املصيبة فقررنا
النزوح واملغادرة وعند نزوحنا كان كل همنا هو
انقاذ املخطوطات التاريخية الثمينة من كنيسة
مار ادي يف كرمليس وأنا قمت بذلك.‏
احتل داعش ودمر منزيل وغريه يف الحي
الذي كنت اسكنه وكرس اإلرهابيني برج وناقوس
الكنيسة ونبشوا قبور الكهنة يف داخل مدفن
الكنيسة ومنهم قرب ابونا سامل ابن اخ املطران
جربائيل كًني واخرجوا التابوت بحثاً‏ عن الصلبان
والذهب وثم تركوه برتابه وبدلته الكنسية.‏
وعندما هجم تنظيم داعش اإلرهايب عىل
مناطق سهل نينوى،‏ كان عدد املسيحيني فيها يبلغ
نحو 120 ألف شخص،‏ وخرسنا أكرث من 45% من
BISHOP continued on page 49
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 47

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Zumba
for
active agers
SCAN QR CODE
TO REGISTER
SESSION DATES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024-OCTOBER 28,2024
11:30AM-12:30PM
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Chaldean Community Foundation
Wireless Vision Gymnasium
3601 15 Mile Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI, 48310
48 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

ONE-ON-ONE
سكان هذه املناطق الذين هاجروا.‏ أعطيكم مثاالً‏
لتكوين صورة واضحة،‏ يف بلدة باطنايا كان عدد
العائالت يبلغ نحو 1000 عائلة،‏ بقي منها اليوم
215 عائلة فقط،‏ باإلضافة إىل 100 عائلة منترشة
يف بلدات أخرى،‏ والنسبة متفاوتة،‏ حيث خرست
مناطق 45% من اعداد نفوسها،‏ فيام خرست
مناطق أخرى 60% من نفوسها،‏ والتزال الهجرة
تشكل تهديداً‏ برتك املسيحيني ألرضهم.‏
وبعد تحرير املنطقة عام 2017، بدأ عدد
النازحني العائدين يف التزايد تدريجياً.‏ ولكن مل
يعود جميع سكان املنطقة إىل منازلهم.‏ ألنهم
ترضروا ويأسوا أكرث من غريهم بسبب حرب
داعش.‏ ولذلك فقدت برطلة معظم سكانها
املسيحيني،‏ وفقدت كرمليس 70% من أهلها.‏
ومازال يعيش كثري من النازحني يف عنكاوا ومنطقة
إقليم كردستان.‏
س - هل هناك إحصائيات ومتابعات
دقيقة لألرضار التي خلفها داعش؟
ج – بعد التحرير وعند عودتنا اىل مدننا وجدنا
الخراب يف كل مكان ومل تجد معظم العائالت
املسيحية شيئًا سوى املباين املحروقة والبنية
التحتية املدمرة،‏ إذ عاث تنظيم داعش خرابا يف
املدينة خالل احتالله.‏ ولدينا إحصائيات رهيبة
عن حجم األرضار والدمار يف البيوت املسلوبة
واملترضرة واملحروقة،‏ ولألسف أصبح كثري منها
مدمراً‏ ولن يتم ترميمها ويجب أن يكون هناك
دور ومسؤولية للحكومة يف بناء املدن املنكوبة
وعدم التلكؤ يف رسعة اإلعامر.‏
ولكن ال يصح لنا البكاء عىل ما حصل،‏ بل أن
نشمر السواعد من اجل اإلعامر من جديد وإعادة
كافة مستلزمات العودة،‏ وهناك رغبة وإرادة
للصمود والبقاء ولنا امل واميان يف تحقيق ذلك.‏
س - كيف واجهتم تحديات عودة
النازحني وإعادة البناء؟
ج - الكنيسة كانت سباقة ويف املقدمة ملواجهة
أزمات التهجري واإلعامر،‏ وبذلت الكثري من الجهود
من أجل إعادة املسيحيني إىل قراهم والتمسك
بأرضهم،‏ وكانت املهمة صعبة للغاية،‏ وكان أحد
األنشطة األوىل هو إجراء مسح موسع الحتياجات
البلدات والقرى املترضرة.‏ وأظهرت نتائج
االستطالع أن الناس يحتاجون أشياء أساسية مثل
الغذاء والتعليم والتدريب الوظيفي واالستشارة
والتنمية الروحية والوظائف املستقرة.‏ وبدعم
من بعض املنظامت الدولية وباتباع خطة محكمة
لتوعية املواطنني،‏ تضمنت مجموعة من كافة
املكونات،‏ وكذلك من خالل مراكز التعليم،‏ متكنا
من إعادة التعايش السلمي إىل املنطقة.‏
أساسيات الحياة الكرمية هي األمن واالستقرار
والعدالة االجتامعية واالستمرارية يف كافة مجاالت
الحياة،‏ ونحن نحتاج إىل تفكري جديد يواكب
الحاجة يف مناطقنا،‏ ويعالج أمور الوظائف والبطالة
والركود االقتصادي وإعادة الخدمات ورضورات
البنية التحتية ‏)كهرباء ماء مستشفيات مراكز صحية
مدارس(‏ وبالتأكيد أن استمرار املساعدات املقدمة
للمواطنني،‏ وخاصة املزارعني،‏ سيساعدهم عىل
العودة والبقاء وإنعاش األرايض الزراعية،‏ وسيساهم
يف عودة االستقرار والعيش املشرتك.‏
ولعبت منظامت املجتمع الدويل دوراً‏
بارزاً‏ يف هذا الشأن من خالل برامجها وخرباتها
ومنح القروض الصغرية،‏ مثل تلك املمنوحة اآلن
للمزارعني،‏ لالهتامم بالقطاع الزراعي يف مناطقهم،‏
وعلمنا مؤخراً‏ عن جهود غرفة التجارة الكلدانية
األمريكية يف دعم اهل املنطقة ونأمل أن تستمر
قنوات االتصال والجسور بيننا،‏ ليك نتمكن من
دعم الناس،‏ وتوفري فرص العمل للقطاع الخاص،‏
واستكامل مشاريع االعامر يف سهل نينوى.‏
س - ماذا عن التغيريات الدميغرافية؟
ج - إن مقاومة التغريات الدميوغرافية والتمسك
بالحقوق ولغة القانون تتطلب العزمية واإلرادة
اإلدارية.‏ كمسيحيني موجودين يف هذه األرض،‏
ندعو أهلنا إىل الصرب والثبات والرسوخ يف أرضهم،‏
نحن لدينا رسالة يف هذا البلد هي نقل تعاليم
السالم واملحبة،‏ حيث كنا أول بناة للحضارة،‏
ونريد أن نساهم يف بناء وإعالء هذا الوطن الذي
نأمل أن يكون دولة مدنية تقوم عىل املواطنة،‏
وندعو الجميع إىل الصالة من أجل هذا البلد،‏
وأيضاً‏ الثبات والرسوخ يف هذه األرض ألخذ
الحقوق الكاملة.‏
وما يهمنا هو تفعيل القوانني املدنية والقيام
بخطوات وقرارت برملانية ودستورية جريئة
للمحافظة عىل حقوق امتالك االرايض ومنع
التغيري الدميوغرايف،‏ ولكن املشكلة هي عدم
الرغبة والقدرة يف تطبيق القوانني من قبل أجهزة
الدولة.‏ نريد قانون واضح بشأن منع التغيري
الدميوغرايف والجغرايف،‏ يحدد ويحفظ ممتلكات
وأماكن املكونات التاريخية وتغيريات دستورية
بشأن قانون األحوال الشخصية يشعر الناس
باملساواة وأن هذا هو وطنها الذي يحميها.‏
الدعم الدويل ‏)يو اس أي دي(‏ دور
الكنيسة واملنظامت املدنية
س – كان قد وعد نائب رئيس الواليات املتحدة
‏)مايكل بينس(‏ عام 2018 بتخصيص مبلغ 300
مليون دوالر اعقبه بزيادة مقدارها 85 مليون
دوالر إلعامر سهل نينوى،‏ كام وعدت الحكومات
العراقية مببالغ أخرى منها 30 مليون دوالر من
رئيس الوزراء السوداين عام 2024 وهو مبلغ
بخس ال يكفي لبناء مدرسة أو مستوصف ووعود
من حكومات ومنظامت لإلعادة اإلعامر،‏ هل تم
ذلك؟
ج – أنا شخصياً‏ كنت يف واشنطن عام 2019
عندما تم اإلعالن عن هذه املساعدات وكان
املفروض ان تذهب هذه املساعدات مبارشة
اىل من يحتاجها من الناس وليس اىل شلة من
املنتفعني ولغري املسيحني،‏ وكانت هناك قنوات
ملتوية وبريوقراطية وتأخري وفساد ومنافع وقتية
ومل تصل املبالغ اىل من كان بحاجة لها فعالً،‏
وأصبح الدعم صفرا بعد انتشار كوفيد 19-
والحرب األوكرانية.‏
املسيحيون اليوم يعانون من االحباط،‏ بسبب
هذا االهامل،‏ وتأخري االعامر،‏ كام توجد الكثري
من التحديات،‏ وخاصة الهجرة والبطالة وصعوبة
التنقل وتطوير هذه املناطق.‏ وأهايل سهل نينوى
وبعد التدمري والحرق الذي تعرضت له مناطقهم
وقراهم،‏ والتهجري القرسي الذي تعرضوا له،‏ أصبحوا
يشعرون بأنهم منسيون وقامت بعض املنظامت
مثل سمريتاس اللوثرية واي يس ان ‏)يف قره قوش(‏
وفرسان كولومبس ‏)كرمليس(‏ وتلك العاملة مع
هنغاريا يف إعامر البيوت ‏)يف تلسقف(،‏ وشكلت
هذه املساعدات التفاتة ورسالة امل ألهلنا يف هذه
املناطق ولعبت دور مهم يف زرع األمل وتشجيع
البقاء وبأنهم غري منسيني.‏
ومن بني أكرث الدول التي قدمت لنا الدعم
ملساعدة املسيحيني يف سهل نينوى كانت
جمهورية هنغاريا،‏ ونحن نعلم جيدا أن مواقف
هنغاريا بخصوص الوجود املسيحي يف الرشق
األوسط هي مواقف مرشفة وواقعية وعملية،‏
وخصوصاً‏ يف بلدة تلسقف،‏ حيث كانت لهنغاريا
حصة كبرية يف إعادة إعامر هذه البلدة،‏ شملت
بيوت املواطنني،‏ وجزء من الكنيسة،‏ ورياض
األطفال،‏ ومدرسة منوذجية يف بلدة القوش،‏
ومزرعة تعليمية،‏ ستكون مبثابة مدرسة تُعلّم
طرق الزراعة الحديثة ألبناء املنطقة جميعاً‏ من
دون استثناء،‏ مقامة عىل أرض الكنيسة يف القوش
وبالتعاون معها.‏ كام وقمنا بحفر خمسة ابار
للمياه والزراعة.‏
أما ‏)يو اس أي دي(‏ فإنها عملت عىل إعادة
تأهيل شبكات الكهرباء واملاء وإنارة الشوارع
وإعادة تأهيل منشأة وبنايات ومستوصفات
الدولة ودعم تشغيل اليد العاملة،‏ وعملنا معهم
يف حفر خمسة ابار للمياه،‏ ولكن هل كان هذا
الدعم كافٍ‏ وباملستوى املطلوب؟
زيارة البابا يف اذار 2021 ‏)كان يا ما
كان عندما زارنا بابا الفاتيكان(‏
س - كانت زيارة البابا للعراق وسهل نينوى حدث
تأريخي رسالته العراق وطن الجميع وللجميع،‏
‏“كلكم إخوة”‏ ونرش املحبة واألمل ستتذكره
األجيال لعقود وسنوات،‏ فامذا بعد الزيارة وهل
من نتائج،‏ إنجازات،‏ أم إخفاقات؟ وهل تعلمنا
كيف نستثمر زيارة البابا ما قبل وما بعد الزيارة:‏
ج – زيارة البابا عام 2021 وضعت سهل
نينوى تحت أضواء وسائل اإلعالم العاملية وكانت
عالمة تاريخية حيث كان واضحاً‏ للبابا فرنسيس
والعامل مدى إميان الناس وصمودهم وتجذرهم
ورغبتهم يف البقاء يف مدن أجدادهم التأريخية.‏
ويف الحقيقة الزيارة كانت رسيعة،‏ وأراد
قداسة البابا أن يطّلع بنفسه عىل أمور الحياة يف
سهل نينوى وكنا نأمل إنجازات كثرية بعد زيارة
البابا وليس محدودة،‏ وبسبب تلك الزيارة البابوية
جرت حمالت لرتميم وإعادة بناء بعض الكنائس
من قبل املنظامت األجنبية واملحلية،‏ ولكن لسوء
الحظ،‏ مل يتم ترميم جميع الكنائس واملواقع
الدينية التي أحرقها ودمرها ارهايب داعش.‏ ومل
تحظ هذه املواقع املهمة يف املوصل وأقضيتها
باألولوية من قبل املسؤولني العراقيني.‏ الكنيسة
الرئيسية ‏)الطاهرة(‏ يف الحمدانية وبنايات الدير
كانت تستخدم كميدان للرماية وساحات للتدريب
من قبل عصابات داعش.‏
وأملنا سيبقى حياً‏ ما بقي املستقبل وبعون
الرب وسمحت الظروف ستستمر املساعي من
أجل إعادة األمل وتنمية البنية التحتية واالقتصاد،‏
وتوفري فرص العمل يف املناطق املسيحية،‏
ومساعدة الكنيسة يف إقامة املؤسسات الخدمية
الرضورية التي تؤمن العمل للكثري من الشباب،‏
وتقدم الخدمات للمواطنني.‏
س - ماذا عن إعادة بناء الكنائس
واملواقع الدينية املدمرة؟
ج - كمناطق لدينا امتدادات دينية،‏ فمثالً‏ أبرشية
القوش متتد إىل باطنايا حيث ال تزال هناك كنيسة
مل يتم إعامرها،‏ ويف باقوفا كنائس قدمية تحتاج إىل
صيانة،‏ وهناك أيضاً‏ مراكز كنسية وأديرة موجودة
يف سهل نينوى الرشقي ويف منطقة الحمدانية
هناك كنائس تحتاج إىل اإلعامر،‏ وأديرة تحتاج إىل
ترميم من أجل أن تستمر يف الشهادة التي قدمتها
منذ البداية إىل اليوم.‏
لكن قبل أن نتكلم عن الكنائس،‏ لنتحدث
عن الكثري من البيوت املهدمة واملحروقة،‏
املوجودة يف هذه القرى التي تحتاج إىل اإلعامر.‏
ونحن ومنذ بداية حملة اإلعامر التي قادتها
الكنيسة يف سهل نينوى،‏ كان هدفنا إعامر البيوت
قبل كل يشء،‏ وفعالً‏ عمرنا بيوت املواطنني
قبل أن نعمر الكنائس،‏ ألن الكنائس من أجل
املواطن اإلنسان،‏ وال فائدة للكنيسة ما مل يكن
اإلنسان موجوداً‏ ويعيش بكرامة،‏ لذلك رشعنا يف
إعامر البيوت املتهدمة واملحروقة أوالً،‏ ثم قمنا
بتعمري الكنائس يك تقدم الخدمة يف ضوء الحاجة
الرضورية لها،‏ ولكن ال تزال الكثري من املؤسسات
الكنسية متهدمة وتحتاج إىل بناء وترميم.‏
ومن املفرح أن نرى أن كنائس املوصل يتم
إعادة تأهيلها باألموال املخصصة لها من قبل
الفاتيكان واملنظامت األجنبية،‏ ونأمل أن تخصص
الحكومة العراقية ميزانية إلعادة إعامر األماكن
الدينية ضمن ميزانياتها وخططها املستقبلية.‏
ما هو مصري الكنيسة املسيحية
ومستقبل املسيحيني يف العراق
س - االحصائيات واألرقام تتكلم ونحن نتأمل - بعد
25 سنة بحساب الزمان قبل التغيري يف 2003 كان
عدد املسيحيني أكرث من 1.5 مليون واالن 200
ألف ومناظر دمار املوصل وكنائس حوش البيعة
وقره قوش وباطنايا تحيك القصة ومن تبقى من
مسيحيي العراق واملكونات هم ضعفاء بعد ان
تم تهجري خرية ناسه،‏ ولنكن واقعيني فاملسيحية
يف العراق لن تعود كام كانت فامذا يخفي لنا
املستقبل؟
ج - هذا السؤال الصعب يصادفني كثرياً،‏
ولكن كام نعلم أن هناك انعطافات كثرية يف
مسارات التأريخ ال ميكن التكهن بها،‏ واملستقبل
يبقى غامضاً‏ وهناك حسابات اميانية وجذوة حارة
ومستمرة قد تقودنا صوب اإلجابة الصحيحة
فالتحديات كثرية وكبرية واملشكلة ليست سياسية
ودينية واقتصادية فقط،‏ بل هي فكرية ثقافية
مجتمعية وقانونية،‏ ويجب أن تكون هناك
خطوات دستورية للحفاظ عىل حقوق املكونات
وحامية األرايض واملمتلكات،‏ والعربة هي يف قوة
وعدالة وتطبيق القوانني.‏
وبسبب الخوف من املستقبل يعاين السكان
املحليني من القلق املستمر والعديد من املشاكل
التي سببها عدم االستقرار منذ 2003 وفرتات
احتالل داعش،‏ وتعد الهجرة وفقدان السكان
من أصعب التحديات التي تواجهنا اليوم إضافة
اىل استتاب األمن وإنعاش االقتصاد املحيل
وإبعاد منطقة سهل نينوى عن الرصاعات
السياسية واملحلية.‏
BISHOP continued on page 51
BISHOP continued from page 47
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 49

PK3
PK4
50 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

ONE-ON-ONE
وال يزال هناك الكثري مام يتعني القيام به
للمساعدة يف استعادة املجتمعات املسيحية القدمية يف
املنطقة،‏ وهي مهمة كبرية،‏ تتطلب املساعدة الخريية
من املجتمع الدويل باإلضافة إىل التزام وتفاين املؤمنني
املحليني.‏ وعلينا ان نؤسس عالقات وأوارص متينة
بني الجميع بحيث تكون مبنية عىل املحبة والتعاون
واالحرتام املتبادل حتى وان اختلفنا يف االنتامء الديني
واملذهبي متجاوزين كل العراقيل التي تقف حائال دون
تطوير هذه العالقة وتوظيفها من اجل الصالح العام.‏
التمسك باألرض والهوية املسيحية
والوطنية
س – كام نعلم أن الجغرافية تتحكم بالتأريخ،‏
والحكومات املحلية ضعيفة وغري قادرة عىل
حامية املمتلكات والحقوق الفردية واملدنية
والدينية يف مجتمع احادي ودستور ديني والعراق
الذي يطفو عىل بحر من الرتاث والتاريخ،‏ لكن
العراقيون ال يحافظون عىل ما لديهم من جواهر
يف بالدهم وكل نظام ومن يأيت ميحي ما قبله.‏
هل هناك قبس ما أمل يف عودة التآخي بني أبناء
املنطقة؟
ج - أولوياتنا هي األمن وسيادة القانون وبناء
العالقات املجتمعية وتوفري بيئة أعامل مستقرة
وتطوير االقتصاد املحيل ومتكني الناس واستعادة
األمل والتعاون املجتمعي وفق األعراف التأريخية
ومبادئ العيش املشرتك مع بقية مكونات املنطقة
بسالم وانسجام.‏
بالطبع يحكم هذه االعراف االجتامعية
أصول وقوانني ألجل تنظيم العالقات ما بني االفراد
ومجتمعهم يدعمها اميان الجامعة بالخري والنظام
واملحافظة عىل االخالق واالرض والخري العام.‏ ولكل
مجتمع عِرفه املتبع الذي ولد بسبب التجارب
والخربة والدروس ليك يحد من تكرار األخطاء
ويحافظ عىل ما هو خري وصحيح ويتنعم بالسالم.‏
ونحن رغم كل الصعوبات واملحن نركز عىل
األمل ونهتم باألعراف االجتامعية الواجب صيانتها
والتي تتفق مع امياننا واخالقنا،‏ تلك التي تحافظ
عىل ارضنا ومجتمعنا،‏ تلك التي تضمن مصلحتنا
وعالقتنا مع الجار وتبادل االحرتام واملحافظة عىل
الخصوصية.‏ بالطبع هذا ما تنشده كل املجتمعات
وان كانت تختلف دينيا وعرقيا.‏ االعراف تعلمنا
ان نحرتم عرف االخرين املختلف وتطالبهم
باحرتام عرفنا ايضا.‏ ان تطبيق االعراف ال يعني
ابدا اتخاذ موقف عنرصي تجاه الغري،‏ ولكن خلق
بيئة تحافظ عىل الخصوصية.‏ االعراف االصيلة هي
خطوط حمراء تستحق االحرتام وال ميكن بأية حال
ان ترضب عرض الحائط او تفرس حسب رغبة
فردية او نفعية او لذرائع مهام كانت.‏
نحن بحاجة ماسة اىل التعاون وتكثيف
الجهود من اجل عملية بناء مجتمعنا وذلك ال يتم
اال بالعمل والتآلف وكرس الحواجز وازالة العرثات
التي قد تؤدي اىل عرقلة هذه العملية وعلينا ان
نستثمر ونعمل من اجل تذليل كافة الصعوبات
خصوصا اننا نعيش تحديات عاملية ورصاعات
وتناحرات نحن يف غنى عنها ، واجبنا ان نقف معا
متحدين ونتمسك بقوة االميان والكنيسة ، لنعود
اىل املايض البعيد ونجعل من آبائنا وأجدادنا الذين
كانوا يعملون يدا واحدة من اجل خري املجتمع
مثاال نقتدي به ملواجهة الصعوبات واالستفادة من
مكانتنا الروحية يف خدمة املجتمع وحفظ الرتاث.‏
حفظ الرتاث واللغة والعادات
والتقاليد يف املهجر؟
عىل الرغم من أن العراقيني الكلدان يعيشون
ويندمجون يف مجتمع الغرب،‏ إال أن معظمهم
ظلوا مرتبطني ببلدهم األصيل،‏ ومتصلني بأقاربهم
وأصدقائهم ووطنهم،‏ ومتعلقني بثقافتهم األصلية،‏
ولغتهم األم،‏ وحريصني عىل الحفاظ عىل هويتهم
العراقية املسيحية الوطنية.‏ ولكن للزمان واملكان
احكام وذوبان األجيال يف بحور املهجر األمرييك
امر حتمي وزمني ال ميكن إيقافه،‏ ولكن باإلمكان
تأجيله باتباع اسرتاتيجيات عملية يف البيت
واملجتمع،‏ وهنا يأيت دور الرتبية والتعليم يف
املدارس،‏ فمثالً‏ يف العراق كانت املدارس تؤام
للكنائس إال هنا يف أمريكا؟ فهل لدينا خارط طريق
لهندسة املستقبل؟ ماهي رؤيتكم وتوصياتكم؟
ج - التعليم واإلميان هام منارة األمل
للمواطنني العائدين.‏ فالتعليم واملدارس واملعلمني
كانوا أساسيني عندنا يف املنطقة؛ وكانت مهنة
التعليم تاريخيا أفضل مساهمة للمسيحني يف
ريادة التعليم املبكر يف العراق.‏ ولذلك فإن األميان
والتعليم اساسيان يف بناء،‏ وتنمية املجتمع،‏ وحفظ
التقاليد واألعراف.‏ وكام كان يف العراق أيام
زمان،‏ فإن الجالية بحاجة اىل مدارس خاصة تعنى
بتدريس مبادئ اللغة الكلدانية قراءة وكتابة
وكالم وبشكل خاص املجموعة االبتدائية واألصغر
سنًا.‏ ولرمبا االعراف واللغة يف نظر بعض العوائل
ليست مهمة وتعترب خروج عن املدنية الغربية او
انها تحد من االندماج يف املجتمع األمرييك،‏ ولكن
هذا التنظري خاطئ يف مجتمع خليط نجد فيه
املكسييك والهندي واألسيوي والعريب يتكلم بلغته
ويدرك أن االعراف تحافظ عىل خصوصية الشخص
وتحافظ عىل أهميته يف مجتمع مختلط الثقافات
واللغات ويدعم مصلحة املكونات.‏
ومن الغريب انني اشاهد بعض املتناقضات،‏
فمثالً‏ نجد البيت عراقي يف كل يشء،‏ فالطبخ
عراقي واألغاين عراقية واملناسبات واألعراس
عراقية وأباء وامهات يتحدثون العربية والسورث
مع أبنائهم،‏ ولكن الصغار يجاوبون باإلنكليزية
ويصلون باإلنكليزية.‏
نحن نعلم بأن الصغار يتعلمون بحكم
املدارس والبيئة واملجتمع ورضورات الحياة يف
أمريكا اللغة اإلنكليزية بسهولة وهذا ال يلغي
اهميتها،‏ ولكني اشعر بالفرح عندما أزور بعض
البيوت واشاهد كيف يتكلم األب واألم مع
أطفالهم بلغتنا السورث بل ويصلون معهم،‏ ولكن
هذا ال يكفي،‏ إذ نريد طقوس وقداديس أكرث
بالسورث ونتمنى ان يكون للجالية مدارس ومراكز
ثقافية أكرث تعتني بالثقافة واللغة والرتاث.‏
وأنا سعيد جدا لقيامكم ببناء فرع جديد
للمؤسسة يحوي جزء من األرشيف الثقايف للجالية
ومكتبة،‏ ومرسح وقاعة للفعاليات التعليمية
وخدمات ملؤسسة الجالية الكلدانية الجديدة يف
مدينة ويست بلومفيلد وسيضم جناح اإلبادة يف
املركز الرتايث الكلداين الجديد يف مدينة ويست
بلومفيلد وسنعمل عىل التعاون معكم للحصول
عىل مقتنيات اإلبادة – بسبب داعش.‏
تشجيع الزيارات ألرض الوطن
ج - أميل هو بالجيل الجديد والشباب الصاعد وأن
اشاهد رحالت شبابية سنوية للطالب والشباب اىل
سهل نينوى والعراق وزيارة البلدات واالطالع عىل
الجغرافية والتأريخ والكنائس واملزارات وتبني الربامج
املشرتكة ودعم تشجيع تصنيع ورشاء املنسوجات
واألزياء اليدوية التي تقوم بها نساء املنطقة يف
بيوتهن وتسويق منتوجات املزارعني املحلية.‏ وهذه
فرص ذهبية ومهمة ليكون املرء حصة يف أن يسمع
اللغة يف عقر دارها ويدخل عامل الناس يف املنطقة
ويرى األزياء ويخلق صداقات وعالقات سيام ونحن
نعارص تقنيات العرص ووسائل التواصل االجتامعي.‏
وكمثال لهذا زارنا قبل أشهر من هذا العام وفد
من منظمة كرشو الشبابية والبالغ عددهم أكرث من
60 شاب وشابة قادمني من امريكا وكندا واسرتاليا
واوربا وقاموا بزيارة جميع مناطق وقرى شعبنا يف
السهل والجبل وبحضور االب سليامن حنا كاهن
كنيسة القوش.‏ ومنظمة كرشو ‏)كرشا(‏ هي منظمة
شبابية غري حكومية وغري ربحية تنظم رحالت
سنوية اىل ارض الوطن من جميع انحاء العامل بهدف
ربط أبناء شعبنا يف املهجر مع الساكنني يف الوطن،‏
من اجل زيادة الروابط القومية واالجتامعية وتقوية
وحفظ اللغة والتذكري بالرتاث.‏
انطباعات زيارتكم اىل أمريكا
س – لقد زرتم وشاهدتم التطور والنمو
الحاصل يف أوساط الجالية الكلدانية واملسيحية يف
والية ميشيغان التي بلغ تعدادها أكرث من‎185000‎
ألف عراقي مسيحي يدعمون اقتصاد الوالية
بأكرث من 18 مليار دوالر سنوياً‏ حسب دراسات
جامعية ومن خالل أعاملهم ومؤسساتهم فامهي
االنطباعات وماهي األوليات التي تتمنون تحقيقها؟
ج – نعم،‏ لقد سبق وان زرت الواليات
املتحدة خمسة مرات وجاءت هذه الزيارة كفرصة
جديدة للقاء اهلنا وابناء شعبنا يف أمريكا وتحقق
ذلك خالل هذه الزيارة حيث استضافتني بعض
الجمعيات والنوادي االجتامعية والواجهات الثقافية
وتحدثنا عن الوضع يف العراق بشكل عام وعن
بلداتنا يف سهل نينوى بشكل خاص،‏ وملست يف هذه
اللقاءات مدى النمو اإليجايب الحاصل يف مؤسسات
الجالية والتطور االقتصادي واملجتمعي والتعليمي
واألكادميي اإليجايب يف صفوف العوائل،‏ وقد اكد
الجميع عىل االستمرار والتواصل معنا ليك تبقى
املحبة واالرض والوطن تجمعنا بالرغم من البعد و
العوامل الجغرافية التي تحول دون لقائنا.‏
واقول للجميع علينا التمسك باألرض وزرع الوعي
بني الناس وان نبقى اوفياء وال نستغني عن الوطن
ونكون قريبني دوما مع اهالينا يف ابرشيتنا ونعمل
معا يف تقديس الخدمة الروحية بحيث تكون مواكبة
للعرص فليس لدينا طريق آخر سوى العمل يد بيد
ونسري معا لتطوير وتقدم املجتمع وال ميكننا ان نخدم
اال باإلميان بالرب املسيح رسول االنسانية والسالم.‏
هل لديكم أي إضافة تريدون
مشاركتها مع قراء مجلة اخبار
الكلدان ‏)كالديان نيوز(؟
أود أن أشكركم د عضيد يوسف مريي ومجلة
اخبار الكلدان عىل هذه املقابلة وعىل جهودكم
يف تنوير القراء من خالل مطبوعاتكم ونشاطاتكم
اإلعالمية عىل منصات التواصل االجتامعي واعزز
متنيايت لكادر املجلة بالنجاح والتقدم إلغناء
الثقافة العامة يف املهجر من خالل ما تطرحونه
من املقاالت والنشاطات املتنوعة.‏
وأود أن أقول كم نحن معجبني بدور املؤسسات
املدنية وسط الجالية الكلدانية والعراقية وتطور
مستوى الخدمات للمهاجرين الجدد والتوسع
الجغرايف واملجتمعي الذي تقوم به الجالية الكلدانية
األمريكية والنشاط االستثنايئ لرئيس مؤسسة الجالية
الكلدانية وغرفة التجارة الكلدانية األمريكية مارتن منّا
وخربات الفريق اإلداري والخدمي.‏
مجلة اخبار الكلدان تقدم الشكر
والتقدير
للمطران ثابت مواقف جريئة وثابتة تستحق
االهتامم والثناء إذ قام عرب األعوام بخدمات متميزة
لرعيته يف كرمليس و ابرشية املوصل والنازحني
وسعى للحفاظ عىل املخطوطات التاريخية والوثائق
الكنسية التي ال تقاس بثمن،‏ وعمل قبل التهجري
الداعيش واثناء النزوح و بعد العودة بدور فعال
وجهد ثابت ، وبدورها تثمن وتقدر ارسة مجلة
اخبار الكلدان مبادرات املطران الجليل بولص
ثابت وتتمنى له النجاح يف خدمته ورسالته السامية
وتقوية الحضور الكلداين يف أبرشيته،‏ وتشكر ما
تفضل به من أجوبة التي هي درس من الدروس
األساسية يف الرتبية اإلنسانية يتعلم منها الجميع
اإلميان واألمل واملحبة والعدالة وكيفية التعامل
الصحيح بني أفراد املجتمع ليك يعيش الجميع
بالسالم والوئام الذي ينشده كل إنسان يحرتم
انسانيته،‏ ونتمنى أن يستمر الرب يف مباركته
ومباركة كنيسته وابرشيته.‏
BISHOP continued from page 49
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 51

HEALTH & FITNESS
Cancer Treatment: Immunotherapy
BY SAMIR JAMIL, MD
Our immune system is
a collection of organs,
special cells, and
substances that help protect
us from infections and some
other diseases, like cancer.
Sometimes the immune
system, however, has difficulty
in targeting cancer cells,
because the immune system
doesn’t see the cancer cells as
foreign because the cells aren’t
different enough from normal
cells (cancer begins when normal,
healthy cells become changed and
start to grow out of control). Or maybe
the immune system recognizes the cancer
cells, but the response might not be
strong enough to destroy the cancer. And
then finally, cancer cells themselves produce
substances that keep the immune
system from finding and attacking them.
SAMIR
JAMIL, MD
SPECIAL
TO THE
CHALDEAN
NEWS
Immunotherapy is a treatment
that uses a person’s own
immune system to fight cancer
by boosting or changing how
the immune system works so
it can find and attack cancer
cells. Immunotherapy has resulted
in successful treatment
of advanced cases of cancer
like lung cancer, melanoma,
bladder, kidney, and other
cancers. Not every patient
with cancer, however, benefits
from immunotherapy.
Currently, immunotherapy is used
to treat cancer in combination with
chemotherapy, or it is used alone
when the chemotherapy fails to treat
certain cancers. Sometimes (in certain
cancers) immunotherapy is used
alone and upfront. The oncologist will
decide if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy
and when to utilize it.
Some types of immunotherapy treatment
that are available or are under research
and development include cellular
immunotherapies, a treatment method
that powers the body’s own immune
system to fight cancer by manipulating
Immunotherapy is a
treatment that uses
a person’s own immune
system to fight
cancer.
and reprogramming specific immune
cells such as NK cells, tumor-infiltrating
lymphocytes, and CAR T cells.
Cancer vaccines are another form
of immunotherapy that educate the
immune system about cancer cells, enabling
it to recognize and destroy them.
Immunomodulators are substances that
adjust the immune system’s activity.
They fine-tune the immune response.
A fourth type of immunotherapy
is called oncolytic virus therapy; this
method utilizes viruses that specifically
infect and destroy cancer cells.
These viruses are genetically engineered
to target the cancer cells and
spare healthy cells of the body.
And finally, we have targeted antibodies,
which disrupt cancer cell
activity and stimulate the immune system
to eliminate the cancer cells.
Immunotherapy, although a new
field, represents a major advancement
in the fight against cancer. It’s a growing
subspecialty of oncology that’s based on
cancer immunology research. The progress
that has been made brings optimism
for a cure for all patients with cancer.
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52 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

AYDA SAGMAN
Administrative Support
MARYANA SHABO
Behavioral Health Therapist
SOUZAN VANLERBERG
Behavioral Health Therapist
MARIAM ABDALLA
Behavioral Health Therapist
JACKIE RAXTER
Behavioral Health Program Manager
Therapy can be a big step toward being the
healthiest version of yourself and living the best
life possible — our licensed, professional therapists
are here for you to access. Through therapy, you
can change self-destructive behaviors and habits,
resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships,
and share your feelings and experiences. Individuals
often seek therapy for help with issues that may be
hard to face alone.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY: The CCF and Project Light is
committed to your privacy and confidentiality and are sensitive to
the stigma and stress that come with seeking mental health support.
Therefore, all counseling records are kept strictly confidential.
Information is not shared without client’s written consent. Exceptions
to confidentiality are rare and include persons who threaten safety of
themselves others or in circumstances of a court order.
In therapy your therapist will help you to establish
person centered goals and determine the steps you
will take to reach those goals. Your relationship
with your therapist is confidential and our common
therapeutic goal for those we engage is to inspire
healthy change to improve quality of life — no
matter the challenge.
We invite you seek out the Light of Project Light!
Serving individuals ages 13 years and up. Please call
to request a Project Light Intake at (586) 722-7253.
Chaldean Community Foundation
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 53

FEATURE
A traditional bread
oven has pride
of place at the front
of the restaurant.
Going Mainstream
Sahara Restaurant introduces traditional
Chaldean dishes to the public
BY CAL ABBO
Sahara Restaurant was founded
in 1981 by Saad Attisha in Ferndale.
By 1984, it had moved to
Oak Park. Now, 40 years later they’ve
expanded to several locations, including
the newest in downtown Detroit.
Zeana Attisha runs the restaurant’s
operations with her husband
Saad. She’s proud of her Chaldean
culture and tries to emphasize it in
every way at her restaurant. Whereas
there is plenty of great Arab food in
metro Detroit, Attisha creates her
menus to reflect her Chaldean heritage
and honor the dishes that are
famous in her community.
The new location in Detroit opened
last year. It offers itself as one of District
Detroit’s gems and sits at the heart
of the city’s burgeoning entertainment
center. It’s a short walk from Comerica
Park, Ford Field, and Little Caesar’s
Arena, and is around the corner from
the Fox Theatre.
Attisha said she met multiple times
with the Ilitch Group, which specifically
wanted a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean
restaurant in their District
Detroit. After lots of talking back and
forth, as well as representatives’ tastetesting
Sahara’s fresh Chaldean cuisine,
they decided to go with the metro
Detroit staple.
The Detroit location, while popular,
would present a new challenge
to the Attishas. The other Saharas
are located in Sterling Heights and
Oak Park, two places where there are
plenty of Chaldeans and other cultures
familiar with that type of food. This
meant that it gained traction quickly
and maintained it by providing quality
food at a good price.
In Detroit, the population that
frequents Sahara, which consists of
local residents and businesspeople
taking their lunch, are generally unfamiliar
with Arab food, and especially
Chaldean food. “A lot of people
have been eating Mediterranean food,
because it’s healthy, but most people
don’t know our Chaldean food,” said
Zeana Attisha.
She constantly finds herself explaining
the different kinds of foods
to her new customers. While it may be
tempting to abandon the project and
serve foods that are more popular, she
sees herself as an educator, introducing
the broader community in Detroit
to Chaldean foods, sharing her homemade
dishes with the rest of the world.
Slowly but surely, the customers are
catching on, and she notices them ordering
outside of the traditional Arab
foods and branching out into Chaldean-specific
dishes.
Attisha’s parents came to the Detroit
area in 1967, before she was even
born. “When I asked my father why he
chose Michigan, he said he had heard
about job openings and especially the
auto industry,” she said. “He already
had family here. Religious freedom
was also a big part of it, they felt that
they didn’t have that freedom in Iraq.”
The Chaldeans migrated to be together,
according to Attisha. They
resettled in Detroit and other places
throughout the United States and
abroad. “It’s almost as if they’ve recreated
a new village for themselves by
attending church, having Chaldean
restaurants, and being together.”
This feeling of community, for Attisha,
has been especially cultivated
by the food that brings the families
together during their meals. Her goal
is to share these dishes and, by proxy,
this feeling of community with people
outside the Chaldean community.
Chaldeans now play an integral role
in Detroit, Attisha said. “I would follow
my dad to work when I was younger. He
had party stores, supermarkets, liquor
stores, and a produce business in Detroit,
so I’m very familiar with the city,”
she added. “Chaldeans play a huge role
in keeping the economy moving and
providing jobs to citizens in the area.
We love working with the city and being
a part of its revival.”
Last year, Attisha hosted a grand
opening for the new location. “We had
such a huge crowd show up and we
weren’t expecting that. We did a buffet
layout of all kinds of different Mediterranean
food,” she said. “Mayor Mike
Duggan, some councilmembers, Chris
Ilitch and his family, plenty of businesspeople,
they were all at the grand opening,
and there was a line of people out
the door who wanted to try our food.”
Attisha tries hard to honor her culture
and heritage in her restaurant in
general, not only with the food. “We
did a little bit of urban décor here,”
she said. “I have some things in the
restaurant that my mom brought over
from Iraq.”
One wall showcases these Chaldean
items, including a doll with a traditional
Chaldean dress, a book about
the Chaldean heritage and history, and
many other pieces of art or dishware.
“It was important to me to design the
restaurant with that Middle Eastern
flair,” she said, pointing to the colorful
decorations around the interior. “The
jewel tones really stand out and the
colors come from the heritage of Iraq
and Babylon, because that’s where
Chaldeans descend from.”
At her restaurants, customers can
try Chaldean-famous dishes like dolma,
which consists of meat and ricestuffed
grape leaves, stuffed onions,
and stuffed eggplant. They can also
try a variety of meats that are popular
in Chaldean cuisine from kabob to
lamb shank to tikka to shawarma. On
the weekends, Sahara even offers the
controversial dish called pacha, which
is rice and meat stuffed into intestine.
At her restaurant, it’s as authentic as it
gets without actually eating at home.
SAHARA continued on page 56
54 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 55

FEATURE
Fox Subaru Macomb
SAHARA continued from page 54
pes that are very healthy and often use
organic ingredients. Bringing Sahara
to the broader community will allow
the public to enjoy what we’ve been so
fortunate to have all our lives.”
In the same vein, Sahara shows off
its traditional bread oven at the front
of its restaurant. Throughout the day,
the cooks use the oven to make delicious
bread that tastes as good as it
smells. “We use a lot of cooking techniques
that are basic, that our parents
and families use,” Attisha commented.
“The pita bread is the most popular
as well as samoon and tandoor. We
make it fresh every morning, including
the dough. Just the old-fashioned
way they used to make bread at home.
Flour, water, yeast, and a bit of butter.”
One of Attisha’s proudest accomplishments
was her political work in
Oak Park. Since the 1980s, Sahara has
called the city its home. But since Oak
Park was chartered decades earlier, it
labeled itself a “dry city” and banned
the service of open alcohol containers.
This means that bars couldn’t operate
within city limits and the only alcohol
that could be served was a closed bottle.
Attisha strongly believed that this
was hampering the city’s development,
and she wanted Sahara to serve
open alcohol as well. In 2011, she started
a campaign to allow for the sale of
liquor in a glass at a restaurant or bar.
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Sales
consultant
for 3 years
Speaks
4 languages
Arabic,
Chaldean,
Turkish and
English
23651 Hall Road
Macomb, MI 48042
586-203-4800
www.foxsubarumacomb.com
Zeana Attisha and her husband run both Sahara Restaurant locations.
“The first thing about Chaldeans
is service,” Attisha said when asked
about how she honors her heritage.
“Someone walks in: What do you want
to drink? What do you want to eat?
We’re famous for feeding people. We
treat our customers like family, and
they host their communions, baptisms,
engagements, birthdays, all
kinds of parties with us.”
Attisha also believes that Chaldean
food is particularly healthy, especially
when made with fresh and high-quality
ingredients, and especially when
compared to the modern American
diet. “It’s interesting to hear on the
news about these new health foods,
like taking turmeric vitamins. Turmeric,
for example, is prominent in Chaldean
dishes,” she said. “We use reci-
Since it was in the city’s charter, that
meant it had to be placed on a ballot
and voted by the residents in the city,
once she got enough signatures.
It passed a year or two later. “I
could’ve left the city when the economy
was slowing down and Chaldeans were
moving out,” she said. “We decided to
stay, to bring vibrancy back to the city
of Oak Park, and get this passed on a
ballot. Now we can see breweries in
Oak Park opening up that offer beer,
wine, and liquor in an open glass.”
The future of Sahara depends on
Attisha’s husband and children, she
said. One of her kids is involved in the
business and has ideas to take Sahara
nationwide with “Sahara Express,”
a miniature version that focuses on
food compared to the lavish comforts
and bar service that Sahara is known
for throughout the metro Detroit area.
Although the idea is still in its early
stages, Attisha is excited but nervous
about how their high standards will
translate to a smaller space.
Attisha thinks the future is wide
open for Chaldeans. While she acknowledges
the tradition of staying
close to home, she hopes that Chaldeans
will take opportunities wherever
they come up. She told a story about
her sister who moved to Texas.
“She met a random girl one day in
her neighborhood. She went into her
house and saw a picture of our grandfather
on her shelf. ‘What? Why would you
have that?’ It turns out that this girl was
the great granddaughter of my grandfather’s
brother,” she said. “It’s good to
know that Chaldeans are everywhere.”
For someone who wants to break
into the industry, Attisha’s advice is
simple: start in the kitchen. “If you
can’t wash dishes and cut meat and
chop lettuce, if you think you’re too
good for that and you’ll just hire someone
for that, it’s not going to work,”
she said. “Restaurants are long hours
and hard work. You have to be willing
to serve the community. The owner
has to be able to get down and dirty
and lead by example.”
56 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
ESL
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
September 9, 2024 – January 24, 2025
Preparing ESL learners to use the
English language in the real world!
ESL 1 AND 2: PRE-LITERACY TO HIGH BEGINNER
• Conversational Skills
• Writing
• Reading
• Vocabulary and pronunciation
• Speaking focused on social conversations and
familiar topics
Monday – Thursday: 1:00p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ESL 3: INTERMEDIATE
• Advanced conversational skills
• Writing
• Reading
• Grammar
• Vocabulary and pronunciation
• Helps students speak quickly on a
wide range of topics
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
$40 REGISTRATION FEE
Books and materials included.
To register, contact Rachel Hall at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253
3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | www.chaldeanfoundation.org
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 57

SPORTS
Anthony Jabero (left) and Ethan
Mukhtar show off the state championship
trophy won by the Orchard
Lake St. Mary’s High School boys
golf team.
Heroes on the Golf Course
Ethan Mukhtar and Anthony Jabero play different roles
BY STEVE STEIN
Ethan Mukhtar made the shot
of a lifetime. Anthony Jabero
didn’t take a shot all season. But
both are state champions.
Mukhtar and Jabero were members
of the first Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
High School boys golf team to win
a state championship. The Eaglets
achieved the feat June 8 when they
won the Michigan High School Athletic
Association Division 2 state title at
Forest Akers Golf Course at Michigan
State University.
St. Mary’s won the state championship
by just one stroke, edging secondplace
Grand Rapids Christian 603-604
over the two-day, 36-hole weekend
tournament. The Eagles were in second
place after the first round.
Even though nobody knew it at the
time, Mukhtar provided the one-stroke
margin when he chipped a shot into
the cup from about 20-25 yards out for
a birdie on the par-5 17th hole late on
the second day of the tournament.
The roar from the crowd gathered
around the 17th green could be heard
several holes away.
“That was the biggest shot of my
life,” said Mukhtar, who will be a senior
at St. Mary’s this fall. “I’ve chipped in
before, but this was different.”
Tom Brecht agreed that it was different.
He’s been the St. Mary’s boys
golf coach since 1996. “I knew when
Ethan’s shot went in that something
special was going to happen for us that
day,” Brecht said.
Jabero didn’t see his good friend’s
shot go in the hole. He was at the fifth
hole, encouraging a teammate.
That’s what Jabero did for his entire
senior season. He was a cheerleader
and the St. Mary’s team’s biggest fan.
He couldn’t play because of inflammatory
arthritis in his right shoulder,
but he didn’t abandon the team or his
teammates.
He went to the team’s practices at
Wabeek Country Club in Bloomfield
Hills, the Eaglets’ home course, and
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUKHTAR
he was at Forest Akers West for the final
round of the state tournament. “I
knew all the work the guys had put in
and they’re my brothers,” said Jabero.
“I told the guys after the first round
that I was going to be up there (at Forest
Akers West) to watch them finish
the job.”
Jabero said he started feeling pain
in his shoulder in December. In inflammatory
arthritis, the body’s defense
system attacks the tissues of
joints instead of germs, viruses and
other foreign substances.
Thanks to medication and dietary
changes like cutting out red meat and
processed foods, Jabero said, he’s back
playing golf again while preparing to
attend Michigan State University’s Lyman
Briggs College (a science-focused
residential college for undergraduates)
in the fall.
Mukhtar wants to play golf in college
while pursuing a career in law or business.
Wayne State University has made
him an offer. Buoyed by the momentum
of his memorable shot at the state tournament,
Mukhtar feels he’s playing the
best golf of his life this summer.
There was no indication about what
was going to happen when Mukhtar
stepped up to the tie on the 17th hole at
Forest Acres West on June 8.
He pulled his drive on the 477-yard
hole into an area left of the fairway
that was filled with trees.
“I shot a double-bogey 6 on No. 16.
I was mad. I tried to take out my anger
on the golf ball on my tee shot on the
next hole. That’s never a good idea,”
he said.
After taking a St. Mary’s assistant
coach’s advice and punching out a
shot over the trees back onto the fairway
about 140 yards away from the
hole, Mukhtar sent his next shot over
the green.
That set the stage for the shot heard
around MSU.
Using a 58-degree wedge, Mukhtar’s
chip shot popped into the air, landed
about 10 feet from the cup on a downward
slope, and rolled right in. “It
couldn’t have been a more perfect shot,”
he said. “It didn’t barely make it in or
go on the lip of the cup and fall. It went
right in.”
Was he nervous with all the people
watching? “No. I like playing in front
of a lot of people,” he said. “There
could have been a million people
58 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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there. If they’re watching, I want to put
on a good show for them.”
Mukhtar shot 78-78--156 for the
tournament and tied for 31st place in
the individual standings. It was the
best he’d shot at any of three MHSAA
state tournaments he’s played in, but
he wasn’t particularly happy with how
he played over the weekend on the par-
72 Forest Akers West course.
“I gave away eight strokes in the
first round,” he said.
Brecht said both Mukhtar and Jabero
are good teammates and solid citizens
off the golf course. “Ethan is very
likeable. He gets along with everyone.
He encourages his teammates and his
opponents. He’s the type of kid you’d
like to call your son,” the coach said.
“Anthony’s teammates liked him. He
was a good guy to have around.”
Mukhtar, 17, lives in Farmington
Hills. His parents are Michael and Pauline.
He has three siblings: Gabriella,
24, Aydan, 22, and Sabrina, 15.
Jabero, 18, lives in West Bloomfield.
His parents are John and Eva. He has
two sisters: Kendall, 17, and Aubrey, 12.
There was a third Chaldean golfer
on the St. Mary’s boys golf team, junior
Maveric Attollah. He didn’t play in
the state tournament.
AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 59

IN MEMORIAM
Warina
Jaddou Allos
Feb 25, 1930 –
Jun 20, 2024
Intissar Faik
Sep 6, 1958 –
Jun 25, 2024
Badia Mizanah
Abroo
Aug 16, 1934 –
Jun 26, 2024
Thomas Salem
Nov 1, 1940 –
Jun 27, 2024
Dinkha Yousif
Jul 1, 1949 –
Jun 28, 2024
Robert Shawkit
Abbod
Jul 12, 1957 –
Jun 29, 2024
Franssis (Naim)
Foumia
Feb 26, 1948 –
Jun 29, 2024
Katrina Shamoon
Michael
Mar 15, 1982 –
Jun 29, 2024
Samia Yousif
May 31, 1939 –
Jun 29, 2024
Jandark Daud
Odish Istifan
Jul 1, 1937 –
Jun 30, 2024
Raied Wilson
Kasto
Oct 8, 1960 –
Jun 30, 2024
Basim George
Al Tawl
Dec 31, 1966 –
Jul 1, 2024
Jenfiaf Marrogi
Dally
Jul 1, 1937 –
Jul 1, 2024
Badry Maroky
Goga
Jul 1, 1948 –
Jul 1, 2024
Samira Yalda
Jul 28, 1961 –
Jul 3, 2024
Vivian Jonna
Hesano
Feb 3, 1959 –
Jul 4, 2024
Moshy Aasi
Bajoka
Jul 1, 1938 –
Jul 5, 2024
Harbi Joka
Jul 1, 1941 –
Jul 5, 2024
Samry Mizo
Jul 1, 1932 –
Jul 5, 2024
Maed Zia Setto
Jun 18, 1952 –
Jul 5, 2024
Katreena Eshow
Eshow
Aug 18, 1956 –
Jul 6, 2024
Najib Jirjis Mansur
Jul 1, 1931 –
Jul 6, 2024
Masoud Jamil
Kas-Mikha
Jul 1, 1939 –
Jul 8, 2024
Hayat Sulaiman
Jul 1, 1943 –
Jul 9, 2024
Nahida Seba
Fachou
Nov 15, 1934 –
Jul 10, 2024
Ilham Saleem
Hanna – Jazrawi
Nov 20, 1945 –
Jul 11, 2024
Faraj Essa Toma
Jan 11, 1946 –
Jul 11, 2024
Ablahad Yousif
Jageka
Jul 1, 1951 –
Jul 14, 2024
Yakoub Yousif
Raouf
Jul 1, 1954 –
Jul 14, 2024
Donavan Raghdan
Barash
Jun 13, 2000 –
Jul 15, 2024
Eylya Simaan
Jan 2, 1933 –
Jul 16, 2024
Hanoka Gorgis
Zoori
Jul 1, 1933 –
Jul 16, 2024
Elias Stephan Oro
Jul 1, 1947 –
Jul 17, 2024
Ablahad Yousif
Jageka
Jul 1, 1951 –
Jul 14, 2024
Badri Hanna
Dec 24, 1937 –
Jul 18, 2024
Victoria Kattoula
Orow
Jul 1, 1939 –
Jul 18, 2024
Gali Oshana
Jul 1, 1926 –
Jul 18, 2024
Khaled Sabah
Yono
May 24, 1968 –
Jul 18, 2024
Mundhir Yousef
Yeldo
Oct 11, 1951 –
Jul 19, 2024
Tawitha Kajy
Bahoura
Jul 1, 1942 –
Jul 20, 2024
60 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

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AUGUST 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 61

EVENT
Honoring
Our Patriots
PHOTOS BY CAL ABBO
On July 12, 2024, at the Danny
Kassab Estate, Sam & Ziad Kassab,
along with Senator Matt Dunaskiss,
hosted the 7th Annual Salute
Our Warriors event. All proceeds
support The Fallen and Wounded
Soldiers Fund, and festivities
included a VIP reception, live
auction, helicopter entrance, and
parade. Entertainment included
Slight Return and a rendition of the
Star-Spangled Banner performed by
Ted Nugent.
The mission of the Fallen &
Wounded Soldiers Fund (FWSF) is
to support Michigan-based soldiers
who serve and protect our country.
They are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
and 97% of all donations
go directly to meet the needs of service
men and women. Those who
work for FWSF volunteer without
compensation so that donors can
give more to those in need.
62 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2024

From the Office of Wayne County Treasurer
Eric R. Sabree
If you are facing foreclosure and need assistance in starting
a Wayne County Probate Court Case because a property is
in the name of a deceased family member, please contact
one of the following community partners for assistance:
Michigan Legal Services: 313-774-1527 | 313-725-4890
United Community Housing Coalition: 313-405-7726
Legal Aid & Defender: 313-967-5800
Contact the Wayne County
Probate Court by calling:
313-224-5706
We are here to help!
www.Treasurer.WayneCounty.com
313-224-5990