JUNE 2025

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY VOL. 22 ISSUE V JUNE 2025

A New Chapter

CCF WEST OPENS ITS DOORS

Featuring:

Alqosh Festival

Mar Ibrahim Library

Spotlight: Kamal Yaldo

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METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY | JUNE 2025 | VOL. 22 ISSUE V

ON THE COVER

16 A New Chapter in an

Ancient Story

CCF West Opens its Doors

By Sarah Kittle

FEATURES

18 A Home for Our History

The Mar Ibrahim Library

By Michael Antoon

20 Celebrating Heritage

and Community

Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen

By Sarah Kittle

DEPARTMENTS

6 From the Editor

A New Chapter

By Sarah Kittle

8 Foundation Update

Scholarships, Job Fair, CCF Awarded,

Community Outreach

10 Noteworthy

Chaldean American Month, Elite Parking

Solutions, Northern Hotels Group

12 Economics & Enterprise

Michigan’s Tourism Trend

By Paul Natinsky

14 Iraq Today

Alqosh Old Market’s Third Festival

By Hanan Qia

34 Sports

Can’t Measure Heart:

Logan Hamama

By Steve Stein

36 Arts & Entertainment

Perspectives 3 Art Exhibit

By CN Staff

38 Culture & History

The Erbil Citadel

By Dr. Adhid Miri

42 In Memoriam

44 Events

Bacall Book Launch

46 CACC Awards Dinner

16

22 A Legacy of Diplomacy

The Salim Y. Sarafa Protocol Room

By Michael Sarafa

24 Spotlight On: Kamal Yaldo

Media Personality

By Dr. Adhid Miri

29 Media Personality, Arabic Translation

By Dr. Adhid Miri

32 Stories of Strength

Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month

By Sarah Kittle

30 Health & Wellness

Say Goodbye to Food Dyes

By Melissa Zetouna

18


FROM THE EDITOR

PUBLISHED BY

Chaldean News, LLC

Chaldean Community Foundation

Martin Manna

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sarah Kittle

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael Antoon

Sarah Kittle

Dr. Adhid Miri

Paul Natinsky

Hanan Qia

Mike Sarafa

Steve Stein

Melissa Zetouna

ART & PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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info@chaldeannews.com

Chaldean News

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West Bloomfield, MI 48323

www.chaldeannews.com

Phone: (248) 851-8600

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6);

Published monthly; Issue Date: June 2025

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Publication Address:

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is on file at Farmington Hills Post Office

Postmaster: Send address changes to

“The Chaldean News 2075 Walnut Lake

Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323”

A New Chapter in Our Shared Story

This issue of Chaldean News is especially

meaningful as it captures a powerful moment

of growth and celebration. With the

opening of the Chaldean Community Foundation

(CCF) West, we are quite literally opening the doors

to a new chapter in the story—one that reflects both

the richness of Chaldean heritage and the promise

of its future. CCF West is not just a building; it is a

symbol of identity and community. It stands as a

testament to generations of Chaldeans who have

worked tirelessly to preserve their culture while

planting new roots and dreams in America.

Our cover story, “A New Chapter in an Ancient

Story,” invites readers to step into this

new space—one filled with exhibits, archives,

and programs designed to educate, inspire,

and connect. It reminds us that we are part of

a narrative much larger than ourselves.

Throughout this issue, we reflect on that

story in its many forms. Our feature on the

Third Festival of Alqosh Old Market by Hanan

Qia brings color and life to a celebration that

keeps the heart of a historic town beating. Through local artisans,

music, and traditional foods, the festival reminds us

that cultural preservation begins with joyful participation.

Equally important is “A Home for Our History,” Michael

Antoon’s moving profile of the Mar Ibrahim Library.

This new cultural resource center is more than a collection

of books—it’s a carefully curated repository of Chaldean

intellectual, spiritual, and communal life. It will

serve scholars, students, and community members alike,

ensuring that the story is both preserved and told accurately

for generations to come.

In “Celebrating Heritage and Community,” we visit Nana

Bernadette’s Kitchen, where the aroma of simmering dolma

and stories from past generations come together. This feature

highlights how food remains a powerful tool for memory

and identity.

“A Legacy of Diplomacy,” by Michael Sarafa, offers an

in-depth look at the new Salim Y. Sarafa Protocol Room, a

SARAH KITTLE

EDITOR

IN CHIEF

space that honors the broader impact of diplomacy

and public service. It is a reminder that the Chaldean

American community has contributed far beyond

its own borders.

Spotlight features like Dr. Adhid Miri’s profile of

media personality Kamal Yaldo showcase individual

stories that exemplify the power of voice. As a respected

figure in both Arabic and English media, Yaldo’s

story is one of bridging generations and cultures—a

fitting representation of the Chaldean diaspora.

June also marks Immigrant Heritage Month, and

our feature “Stories of Strength” shares firsthand

As we reflect on these milestones, we are

reminded that the Chaldean American

community’s story is one of faith and

an enduring commitment to family and

cultural identity.

narratives of immigrants who have faced challenges to build

a life of opportunity in America. Their journeys enrich our

understanding of what it means to be American.

From departments covering economic trends to health

and wellness, sports, arts, and culture, this issue rounds out

with essential updates—including the proposal for Chaldean

American Month and the highly anticipated launch of Jacob

Bacall’s new book.

As we reflect on these milestones, we are reminded that

the Chaldean American community’s story is one of faith

and an enduring commitment to family and cultural identity.

Thank you for turning the page with us. Let’s continue

writing this new chapter together.

Sarah Kittle

Editor in Chief

CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS

AND FOLLOW CN ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

6 CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2025

PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE

Join the

Publishers Circle

As the publication of record for Michigan’s

Chaldean community, the mission of the

Chaldean News is to preserve and archive

Chaldean heritage and history, and to tell the

ongoing story of Chaldean contributions to the

communities in which we live and work — in Michigan

and around the world.

In the past five years, the Chaldean News has

substantially increased its readership and social media

following, introduced new digital and website content, and

expanded storytelling with the help of small grant funding.

With the generous help of individuals and organizations,

together, we can ensure that this vital resource continues

to educate and connect the community, while evolving to

meet the needs of future generations.

We truly appreciate your support of our efforts to expand

and strengthen our coverage of the Chaldean community,

both locally and globally. We are excited about the

opportunities ahead, and your support will be essential

in helping us grow our digital presence, preserve our

cultural heritage, and tell even more compelling stories

about the Chaldean community.

You can take part in helping to preserve your

Chaldean heritage by joining the Publisher’s

Circle today. Together, we can continue to

ensure that the Chaldean News remains a

vital resource for generations to come.

wabeekcc.com

To learn more, visit chaldeannews.com

or contact us at 248-851-8600

Let’s grow the circle.


FOUNDATION UPDATE

More than 25 employers joined CCF for the Spring Community

Job Fair.

Ready, Set, Hired

2024 Scholarship Winners.

CCF’s Academic Scholarship

Program Opens June 2

The Chaldean Community

Foundation launched its 2025

Academic Scholarship Program

on June 2, 2025.

With anticipated scholarship

awards reaching nearly

$85,000 this year, several endowment

and family funds will

be contributing directly toward

Chaldean students’ education.

The fund descriptions and

the scholarship program application

will be available on the

Chaldean Community Foundation’s

website at chaldeanfoundation.org/scholarships.

The deadline for applying

is June 27 at 5:00 PM EST.

Nearly 150 prospective job seekers attended the CCF’s Spring

Community Job Fair on Wednesday, May 7. Job seekers had the

opportunity to connect with employers, including Chick-Fil-A,

Corewell Health, Macomb Community College, Michigan State

Police, Oakland University and more.

If you’re still on the hunt for employment, visit the CCF’s

Career Services Department during walk-in days every Monday,

Tuesday, and Thursday to explore more opportunities and kickstart

your career journey.

CCF1: Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel pictured with some of the CCF management

and development team members.

CCF Awarded Nonprofit of the Year

The Chaldean Community

Foundation (CCF) was the

recipient of a 2025 Macomb

Business Award in the Nonprofit

of the Year category

presented by Advancing Macomb

and Macomb County

Planning and Economic Development

on May 15. The

Macomb Business Awards

honor outstanding organizations

throughout the county’s

27 communities. This year,

nearly 130 nominations were

received and reviewed by

a prestigious panel of local

judges.

In 2024 alone, the CCF

served more than 48,000 individuals

from 70 different

countries of birth—offering

services in mental health,

education, employment, disability

support, and more.

From left: CCF representing Chaldean culture at

Havel Elementary’s Day of Culture; Representing at the

Disability Law Group Resource Fair

Out in the Community

The Chaldean Community Foundation attended multiple events

throughout the Metro Detroit community in May.

Events included Havel Elementary School’s Day of Culture,

Disability Law Group’s Resource Fair, and providing cultural

awareness training for Corewell Health staff.

The Chaldean Community Foundation’s cultural awareness

training provides an overview and understanding of the Chaldean

community in Southeast Michigan.

Havel Elementary hosted their annual day of culture to help

students learn about the various cultures represented within

their school and local communities.

While the Corewell Health and Havel elementary’s events featured

Chaldean culture and history, the Disability Law Group’s

Resource Fair provided access to resources for the community.

Upcoming Events

Cosmetology Mentorship Program: June 11 and June 18

at the Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights

(3601 15 Mile Rd.)

Keeping Your Heart Healthy: June 16 at the Chaldean Community

Foundation in Sterling Heights (3601 15 Mile Rd.)

7th Annual Awards Gala: September 26 at the Palazzo Grande


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NOTEWORTHY

Chaldean American Month

Proposed in State House

State Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) testified

before the House Government Operations

Committee on behalf of his bill to

name the month of May as “Chaldean

American Month” in Michigan.

“This is a well-earned and longoverdue

recognition,” said Kuhn.

“Chaldean Americans are a cornerstone

of Michigan’s cultural, economic,

and civic life, especially in

Southeast Michigan. We are home to

Rep. Kuhn introduced bill to name May as Chaldean American Month.

the largest Chaldean population in the

world outside of Iraq, with more than

187,000 residents in Macomb and Oakland

counties alone.”

House Bill 4303 would declare the

month of May of each year as “Chaldean

American Month” to recognize the contributions

of Chaldean, Assyrian, and

Syriac Americans to Michigan and the

United States.

“Their deep-rooted faith and family

values remain a defining part of our

communities,” said Kuhn. “They are

leaders in business, law, medicine, education,

and public service, and they are

building strong families, strong communities,

and a stronger Michigan.”

Elite Parking Solutions Signs First Franchisee

Founded in 1988 by Richie Abbo and

with the recent addition of his son Cal,

Elite Parking Solutions has grown its

valet service business to hundreds of

clients in the restaurant, country club,

home party, and banquet space, with

120 employees in season. Revenue in

2024 was approximately $790,000.

The next step is to franchise, and

they have just completed their first

deal. An entrepreneur group led by

Shah Masum, Shakil Khan, Shafi

Ahmed, Abdul Hadi, and Fujayel

Ahmed has purchased two area franchise

territories from Elite – East Detroit

(Woodward to Grosse Pointe) and

West Detroit (M39 to Woodward).

“We plan to grow the company

regionally and nationally with a managed

approach,” said Cal Abbo, Franchise

Development Director. “We want

to maintain the quality and customer

service that made us who we are while

transferring lessons learned and providing

like-minded entrepreneurs

with the ownership and operating

tools they need to be successful.”

Elite is looking next to continue to

franchise not only locally – including in

Birmingham, Sterling Heights and Troy,

but also south into Ohio, including

Toledo (where it currently operates),

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and

beyond. As a baseline, Elite is looking

to add five more franchisees by the end

of 2025 with an additional five in 2026.

Northern Hotels Group, LLC Recognized by Hilton

Northern Hotels Group, LLC has

been recognized by Hilton for

their new hotel, the Hampton Inn

St. Ignace Lakefront Mackinac.

The hotel and the company are

recipients of Hilton’s 2024 Americas

Development Awards, which

celebrate the “passion, creativity,

and innovative spirit” of the hotel

owners, development partners

and teams.

Winners in the New Build

Category, Northern Hotels Group

was selected based on distinct

criteria, including a commitment

to quality projects and impact on

local communities.


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ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE

Northern Hotels Group, LLC celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Hampton Inn St. Ignace Lakefront Mackinac.

Chaldean Hoteliers Capture

Michigan’s Tourism Trend

BY PAUL NATINSKY

In many ways, Northern Hotels

Group’s story is a typical Chaldean

business success tale: Work hard

at a business, gain professional skills

and education, bring those attributes

back, and grow the business.

George Jappaya, who was a hotel

proprietor in Iraq, took a job as a janitor

upon arriving in the United States

because it was one of few jobs available

to a non-English-speaking immigrant.

Soon he bought a liquor store

and then a hotel.

In 1991, George bought a Knight’s

Inn in Howell. He then bought a neighboring

106-room Ramada Inn, and

soon several other properties.

The family’s hospitality-centered

entrepreneurship expanded from

there as sons Kevin and Shawn earned

degrees, embarked upon professional

careers and returned to the business

in 2011. It was then that they greatly

expanded it through a partnership

with the Foumia family. Patrick

Foumia and the Jappaya

brothers are first cousins.

This next generation of

hoteliers brought the muscle

of their complimentary careers—Kevin

in real estate,

Shawn an attorney and executive

with the Northern Hotels

Group and Patrick, also

an executive with the hotel

group and deeply enmeshed

in the Michigan tourism and

hospitality industry.

The root of expertise and

easy relatability to the tourism industry

and its veteran denizens comes

from the partner’s experience as boys

growing up working hands-on in their

father’s business.

Kevin, Patrick and Shawn have fostered

relationships with leading hotel

brands over the years, including Marriott,

Hilton and Hyatt, among others. The

The new hotel is situated on the waterfront.

trio’s expertise combined with relentless

phone calls, conference and convention

attendance translate into executives at

the major hotel chains taking their calls.

“They know us really well. They

trust us,” says Patrick. “They like the

results that we give from the properties

we operate.”

The journey has been challenging.

Kevin says working with organizations

like Hilton and Marriott is not

easy for immigrant communities.

“It’s just like any other

Chaldean-owned business, you

work really hard and you are going

to be successful. That’s the

mantra of our community.”

Kevin says he and his partners

typically find sites, do the

research and present opportunities

to the hotel chains, who

often accept the proposals. In

many cases Northern Hotel

Group then becomes the franchisee

in the project, gaining

the marketing muscle and logistic support

of the large chains in exchange.

Kevin says the group also identifies

existing, operational properties and

incorporates them into the portfolio.

“We will buy them if we feel they have

value or that we can operate them better

than the previous owner.”

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and the Foumias incorporates about a

dozen hotels in locations throughout

Michigan, including Sault St. Marie, St.

Ignace, Petoskey, Houghton Lake, Flint,

Southfield, Taylor and Howell.

The State of the Game in Michigan

Hard work and earned expertise notwithstanding,

travel industry owners

and operators have faced several periods

of uncertainty in the past couple of

decades. The 2008 economic crisis was

followed by the COVID pandemic and

now emerges an uncertain economic

environment amid constantly changing

policy on tariffs.

“We’re bullish on Michigan and the

continued growth,” says Kevin.

“We’re mainly a drive-to destination.

I feel like inbound travel within

the state of Michigan is going to flourish.

People want to get away, especially

when school gets out,” said Patrick,

who sits on the Sault St. Marie Visitors

Bureau. He said the talk in Michigan

tourism circles currently focuses on

whether rates will have to be adjusted

downward to incentivize travelers in

an uncertain economy and, of course,

the effect Michigan’s unpredictable

weather will have on travel bookings.

Despite these pain points, a post-

COVID boom in local travel has elevated

Michigan’s status as a go-to

destination, particularly the Upper

Peninsula.

“Since COVID, the Upper Peninsula

has really flourished. People have

been traveling to Marquette, Picture

Rock, Tahquamenon Falls, the Soo

Locks—coming across the bridge to go

to Mackinac Island,” said Foumia.

Foumia says the travel industry

will face the same indirect economic

pressures that all businesses are preparing

to endure. But that doesn’t sour

him on the big picture.

According to numbers compiled by

Tourism Economics, visitor volume in

Michigan has traversed a steady postpandemic

path of recovery. In the year

immediately preceding COVID, Michigan

saw 125.6 million visitors. After a

pandemic dip of -15.7 percent (105.9

million) during 2020, Michigan saw

three straight years of growth with increases

of 10.8 percent in 2021, 6.5 in

2022 and 2.6 in 2023 (the last year for

which the group’s numbers are available).

Total visitor volume for 2023 was

128.3, exceeding the 2019 number.

Tourism economic numbers follow

a similar path. Visitors spent about $2

billion more in 2024 than they did in

’23, reported MLive in an October 2024

story. MLive reported that, “Spending

was driven by increased prices in the

lodging and food categories…Collectively,

tourists spent $29.3 billion in

Michigan last year.”

So Michigan is trending up and

parts of the state are enjoying an elevated

profile. The popularity of local

travel combined with economic trends

that support it seem durable, even

while the nation’s economic environment

remains turbulent.

For the Northern Hotels Group, the

immediate future looks bright. Patrick

Foumia is 38, Kevin Jappaya, 44, and

Shawn Jappaya, 45. It’s too early to tell

if the next generation will continue the

journey in Michigan’s travel industry.

Time will tell.


PHOTOS COURTESY PARISH OF ALQOSH

IRAQ TODAY

Clockwise from above: 1. Residents fill the streets in anticipation of the third annual Alqosh Old Market. 2. Folklore

dancers dressed in historic costumes. 3. Haggling is an evergreen part of the street market. 4. Vendors shared

traditional bread making techniques. 5. Cultural music added to the party atmosphere. 6. His Excellency Bishop

Thabet Polous Meko and Father Rudi Saffar pray for blessings on the market.

إحياء املهرجان الثالث

لسوق ألقوش القديم

بقلم حنان قيا

يف التاسع من أيار 2025، أُقيم مهرجان سوق

ألقوش القديم يف نسخته الثالثة،‏ برعاية خورنة

كنيسة مار كوركيس،‏ ومبشاركة واسعة من أبناء

البلدة واملغرتبني العائدين من الخارج.‏ استُهِلَّ‏

املهرجان بكلامت ترحيبية مؤثرة ألقاها سيادة

املطران ثابت بولص مكو واألب رودي صفّار،‏

مؤكدَين أهمية إحياء الرتاث والحفاظ عىل

الهوية الثقافية أللقوش واملنطقة.‏

متيّز املهرجان هذا العام بإحياء مشاهد

تراثية حيّة استحرضت روح املايض،‏ منها فعالية

متثيلية لقوافل التجّار ‏)كرون(‏ القادمة من

البلدات واملدن املجاورة،‏ والتي كانت تقصد

سوق ألقوش قدمياً‏ لعرض وبيع بضائعها.‏

كام جذبت فعالية طحن الحبوب باستخدام

املطحنة اليدوية اهتامم الحضور،‏ إىل جانب

عرض تصويري يوضح دور النساء قدمياً‏ يف نقل

مياه الرشب باستخدام الجرار ومرورهن عرب

السوق يف طريق عودتهن إىل املنازل.‏

وتخلّل املهرجان فقرات فنية وتراثية

متنوعة،‏ شملت دبكات شعبية وأعامالً‏

يدوية قدّمها أبناء ألقوش ومشاركون من

بلدات مجاورة،‏ باإلضافة إىل فعالية خبز

التنور التقليدي التي استقطبت جمهوراً‏ كبرياً‏

من الزوّار.‏ وقدّمت مجموعة من العازفني

املحليني معزوفات موسيقية حيّة أضفت جواً‏

من البهجة واألصالة عىل األجواء.‏

استمر املهرجان من الساعة التاسعة

صباحاً‏ وحتى التاسعة مساءً،‏ وشهد تغطية

إعالمية من قنوات فضائية مختلفة،‏ كام

حرضه العرشات من أبناء ألقوش املغرتبني

الذين حرصوا عىل املشاركة يف هذه

التظاهرة الثقافية التي أحيت الذاكرة

الجمعية للبلدة،‏ وأعادت الحياة إىل سوقها

القديم برونقه الرتايث األصيل.‏

3rd Festival of Alqosh Old Market

Celebrating heritage and culture in the heart of the city

BY HANAN QIA

On May 9, 2025, the third annual

Alqosh Old Market Festival

took place under the patronage

of the Parish of Mar Gewargis

Church. The event drew wide participation

from local residents as well as

members of the diaspora who returned

from abroad to celebrate their cultural

roots. The festival opened with heartfelt

remarks from His Excellency Bishop

Thabet Polous Meko and Father

Rudi Saffar, both of whom emphasized

the importance of preserving Alqosh’s

rich heritage and enduring cultural

identity.

This year’s festival brought

Alqosh’s storied past to life through

immersive and imaginative experiences.

Among the highlights was a

vivid theatrical reenactment of merchant

caravans—Karwen—arriving

from neighboring towns, echoing the

bustling trade that once animated the

historic market. Attendees were transported

further into the past with a

hands-on demonstration of traditional

grain grinding using a hand-cranked

mill.

In a deeply evocative scene, women

carrying clay water jars moved

gracefully through the market, recreating

the rhythms of everyday life from

a bygone era. The performances not

only entertained but sparked reflection

on the resilience and beauty of

heritage preserved through storytelling

and craft.

The festival featured a vibrant array

of traditional folk dances and artisanal

handicrafts, proudly showcased

by the residents of Alqosh alongside

participants from neighboring communities.

A crowd favorite was the live

tanoor bread baking, a cherished culinary

tradition that drew eager onlookers

with its warm, familiar aroma and

interactive presentation.

Adding to the festive ambiance, a

group of local musicians performed

live instrumental pieces throughout

the day, infusing the event with an authentic

and spirited soundtrack that

celebrated the cultural heartbeat of

the region.

Running from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00

p.m., the festival drew widespread

media coverage from several satellite

channels and welcomed dozens of

Alqosh natives who had returned from

abroad. Many attendees expressed joy

at the opportunity to reconnect with

their roots and take part in celebrating

the rich cultural legacy of their hometown.


Do you have

passion for beauty?

Scan QR code

to register

Cosmetology

Mentorship Program

2025

Join the Chaldean Community Foundation in collaboration with Alline Salon Group for 2 full-day sessions. Lunch will be

provided. 2 individuals will be selected and awarded a $4,000 scholarship.

June 11

9:30am - 3:00pm

To RSVP, call (586) 722-7253

June 18

9:30am - 4:30pm

3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | www.chaldeanfoundation.org


COVER STORY

From left: Sly Sandiha, Balázs Mártonffy, Bishop Ibrahim, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Muhamad Hassan Saeed Muhammad.

A New Chapter in an Ancient Story

CCF West opens its doors

BY SARAH KITTLE

The roots of the Chaldean American

community in Michigan

stretch back nearly a century, to

a small but determined group of Iraqi

immigrants who gathered in April 1943

at the Danish Hall of Detroit. Their

mission: to create a better life for their

families and preserve their culture in

a new land. That night, the Chaldean

Iraqi Association was born—founded

by refugees fleeing persecution, united

in their faith and determination to

plant deep roots in America.

Over the following decades, that

modest association would evolve, expanding

both in size and vision. In

1965, it became the Chaldean Iraqi

Association of Michigan (CIAM), and

soon after, leaders made a bold decision:

they would build a physical

space to anchor their growing community.

Between 1967 and 1968, CIAM purchased

four acres in Southfield with

the dream of constructing a dedicated

community center. After a decade of

planning and saving, Southfield Manor

opened its doors in 1981 as a vibrant

hub for cultural and social events. The

organization underwent another name

change in 2000, becoming the Chaldean

Iraqi American Association of Michigan

(CIAAM), a reflection of its increasingly

American identity while maintaining its

Iraqi and Chaldean heritage.

A pivotal milestone came in 1989

when CIAAM purchased Shenandoah

Country Club, which quickly became

the cultural and social heart of Chaldean

life in Metro Detroit. Weddings,

galas, and gatherings found a home at

Shenandoah, anchoring generations

in tradition.

Now, just miles from Shenandoah,

a new chapter has begun with the

opening of CCF West.

A Modern Beacon

On May 2, 2025, the Chaldean Community

Foundation (CCF) officially unveiled

its newest and most ambitious

project: a $20 million campus designed

not only to serve but to preserve. The

42,000-square-foot facility, located at

2075 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield,

was inaugurated during a private

ribbon-cutting ceremony attended

by civic leaders, elected officials, and

longtime supporters.

“We’re really excited to welcome

you to what we call CCF West,” said

Martin Manna, president of both the

Chaldean Community Foundation and

the Chaldean American Chamber of

Commerce. “It’s been quite a marathon

trying to get the facility ready. This

center is more about preservation compared

to our facility in Sterling Heights,

which really is focused on health and

human services and acculturation.”

While the Sterling Heights campus

continues to serve tens of thousands

annually through health, human services,

and immigrant integration, CCF

West was envisioned as a beacon of

cultural preservation and community

development.

“There’s a lot going on to preserve,”

Manna told The Washington

Post in a recent interview. “The language,

the culture—we have a museum

here, cooking classes so that we can

maintain our historic recipes, dynamic

wall displays to talk about the martyrs

of our community and the timeline

of our growth. And so there’s a lot of

preservation going on, given the circumstances

in Iraq and the fact that


Above: More than 200 invited

guests attended the sneak peek

ribbon cutting on May 2. Right:

Guests gaze upon the Martyr’s Wall,

honoring the fallen heroes of the

Chaldean Catholic Church.

we might not have a place we could

call ‘home’ in the future.”

The new facility offers a sweeping

array of services and spaces:

• The Bishop Ibrahim Library, home

to manuscripts rescued from ISIS.

• A Chaldean Museum, chronicling

the culture and trials of the community.

• Language and cultural classrooms

to preserve dialects and identity.

• A business incubator for Chaldean

entrepreneurs.

• Full media studios for CN Radio,

Chaldean Voice, and CNTV.

• A demonstration kitchen, community

theater, fitness areas, and a

sportsplex.

“We stand before you, 187,000

Chaldeans strong and growing,” said

Sharon Hanawa, a program manager

at the Chaldean Community Foundation.

“A community rooted in faith,

family and food… that understands

the importance of preservation, as

much of our history has been destroyed

in our native homeland of Iraq.

This building is a pinnacle of 22 years

of effort to showcase our impact, preserve

our culture and language, and

pay homage to our ancestors.”

“The heart of our mission has always

been service,” said Sylvester Sandiha,

Board Chair of the CCF and CACC.

“This building is a testament to that,

and as the community continues to

grow and change and adapt, we change

and continue to adapt here. That’s why

this building was constructed upon 20

years of experience of bringing people

together from all walks of life and making

them feel a part of the greater fabric

that is our home here and our home

back home… it gives us a great opportunity

to achieve our own American

dream and honor the sacrifices of all

those that came before us. And we’re so

blessed to have that.”

Among those celebrating the grand

opening was Governor Gretchen Whitmer,

who praised the Foundation’s

long-term investment in Michigan’s

social and economic fabric.

“This new community center is going

to be a lot more than just a building,”

Whitmer said. “It’s a hub for innovation,

for education, and community

engagement. And it’s a reminder that

when we invest in community, we invest

in the future of Michigan.”

From top of page:

CACC and CCF president Martin

Manna welcomes the crowd.

CCF and CACC Board Chair Sly

Sandiha shares progress on the

organizational goals.

Fr. Marcus Shammami shares

thoughts on the importance of the

new center.

Looking Ahead

While the Sterling Heights campus

remains vital—serving over 48,000

individuals annually—CCF West represents

a diversification and deepening

of the Foundation’s mission. The new

center focuses on culture, education,

youth development, and economic

advancement, offering specialized services

to immigrants, families, seniors,

students, and entrepreneurs in the

western suburbs and beyond.

“We envision a place where seniors

can gather to play card games or backgammon,

grandparents can cook with

their grandchildren and share family

recipes, or community films can be

screened,” says Manna.

Farah Shammami, Program Coordinator

for CCF West adds: “Our senior

programming will also include health

screenings, wellness education, ageappropriate

activities, and even some

language classes.”

From the Danish Hall to Southfield

Manor to Shenandoah and now CCF

West, the Chaldean community’s journey

in Michigan is a testament to resilience,

vision, and unity.

What began as a meeting of refugees

has become a cornerstone of

Michigan’s cultural landscape—and

with CCF West, the next hundred years

are just beginning.


FEATURE

A Home for Our History:

The Mar Ibrahim Library

BY MICHAEL ANTOON

On May 2, 2025, a special ribboncutting

ceremony was held

to mark a major milestone in

our community’s story. The Chaldean

Community Foundation officially unveiled

its new campus in West Bloomfield—known

as CCF West—a space

that builds on the Foundation’s mission

with a renewed focus on cultural

preservation and community growth.

This state-of-the-art facility will

house a wide range of resources,

including a theater, classrooms, a

business incubator, a gymnasium,

dignitary meeting spaces, and the expanded

Chaldean Cultural Center. The

museum will now include a genocide

and displacement gallery to document

and honor our modern struggles. The

building also features a test kitchen,

a market, a brand-new radio and TV

studio—the new home of the Chaldean

Voice Radio—and much more.

The ribbon cutting was attended

by Michigan Governor Gretchen

Whitmer, the Iraqi Consul General in

Detroit, mayors and local representatives,

leaders of the CCF, and many

community members and families.

Each donor who supported a specific

part of the building was invited to

cut the ribbon for their space. For the

Mar Ibrahim Library, that honor was

given to His Excellency Mar Ibrahim N.

Ibrahim—our first Chaldean bishop in

America—alongside Fr. Marcus Shammami

and Shamasha Khairy Foumia.

Honoring a Founding Shepherd

The Mar Ibrahim Library is named in

honor of His Excellency Mar Ibrahim

N. Ibrahim, the first Chaldean bishop

in the United States and founding Eparch

of the Diocese of St. Thomas the

Apostle. When he arrived in America,

there was no diocese, little infrastructure—just

the growing needs of a displaced

people. Through his leadership,

a diocese was formed from the ground

up, churches were built, vocations were

fostered, and generations of Chaldeans

found strength in their faith.

More than a bishop, he has been a

shepherd, father, mentor, teacher, and

Ancient manuscripts that escaped the destruction of ISIS are on display in

the library’s Archive Room.

advocate. In recognition of his lifelong

service, the Chaldean Community

Foundation presented Bishop Ibrahim

with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award

in September 2024. The award honors

Above: Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim

poses with the artist Reni Stephan

in front of a portrait of himself that

hangs in the new library.

Left: the Mar Ibrahim Library.

his decades of service not only to the

Church, but to the broader Chaldean

community, both in the United States

and abroad.

The library that now bears his

name stands as a tribute to his legacy—a

space that fosters the same values

of faith, knowledge, and identity

that he championed. It creates a dedicated

home for study, dialogue, and

preservation of the rich heritage of the

Chaldean Church and community.

A Library Rooted in Our Identity

The Mar Ibrahim Library was never

meant to be just a typical library. It was

designed as a sacred space—one that

reflects the heart of who we are as Chaldeans.

Rooted in our faith, culture,

and scholarship, this library serves as

a bridge between generations, offering

something meaningful to everyone:

students searching for understanding,

researchers uncovering our past,

deacons and clergy studying liturgy,

and everyday community members

looking to reconnect with their roots

and explore the past. It is a space that

celebrates the richness of our heritage

and preserves it for those still to come.

A Community Effort: Built Through

Generosity

The Mar Ibrahim Library was not

built by one person—it was (and is

being) built by all of us. Many of the

books come from the personal collection

of Bishop Ibrahim himself, but

much of the library has been shaped

by the generosity of our people. Families,

deacons, and community members

have opened their shelves and


Above, from left: Mar Ibrahim’s

portrait hangs proudly in the lobby

of the library. The library features

artwork on the exterior, inside CCF

West’s Main Street area.

donated books they’ve held onto for

decades—some passed down through

generations.

Others are still contributing valuable

works on Chaldean faith, theology,

history, and culture. Even now,

the Diocese is printing copies of rare

manuscripts from major libraries

around the world, and we’re proud to

house copies of these hand-written

manuscripts that were preserved by

our forefathers. Many of the shamashe

(deacons) of our Church have offered

their own collections or those of their

families to enrich this space. This is a

living, growing project—one the entire

community can take pride in and continue

to build for generations to come.

What You’ll Find Inside

What makes the Mar Ibrahim Library

truly special is the depth and diversity

of what it offers. The collection spans

several key categories—including liturgy,

biblical studies, Church history,

modern and ancient history, canon

law, and much more. Every book on

these shelves has been carefully selected

not just for its academic merit,

but for its value in preserving and

deepening our spiritual and cultural

understanding.

The library holds a multilingual

collection, with works in English, Arabic,

Aramaic, and Sureth (Chaldean

Neo-Aramaic). It is designed to meet a

range of needs—supporting academic

research, personal study, and community

enrichment. Researchers exploring

the story of our ancient people

will find an abundance of resources,

while young Chaldeans can reflect on

Left to right: Gabrielle Shamoun, Michael Antoon, Fr. Marcus Shammami, Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim, Nadia Kallabat,

Shamasha Khairy Foumia, and Patrick Kakos.

the foundation of our community here

in Detroit and beyond. It serves as a

central hub where the past and present

come together, offering new generations

access to the knowledge and

identity that have shaped who we are.

The Archive Room: Preserving the

Past

Within the library is an Archive

Room—one of the most meaningful

parts of the entire space. This room

is dedicated to preserving rare and

historical handwritten manuscripts,

many of which contain our Church’s

liturgical, theological, and pastoral

texts from centuries past. These precious

documents offer a direct link to

our ancestors’ voices and beliefs, and

the Archive Room ensures they are

protected with the care they deserve.

Over time, it is hoped that this room

will grow into a major repository for

Chaldean manuscripts from around

the world, safeguarded under the patronage

of the Chaldean Diocese for

future generations.

A Place for Study and Encounter

The Mar Ibrahim Library is designed

to be an active space for learning and

community engagement. Alongside

dedicated study areas for students and

researchers, it will soon, in partnership

with the Chaldean Community

Foundation, host Chaldean language

classes for the benefit of the community—bringing

cultural preservation

to life through education. With future

plans for a variety of seminars, class

visits, and educational events, the

library aims to become a gathering

place where knowledge, faith, and

heritage meet for generations to come.

Looking Ahead

The official grand opening and blessing

of the Mar Ibrahim Library takes place

on June 4, 2025. But in many ways, its

story has already begun. It stands as a

reflection of who we are—faithful, resilient,

and rooted in tradition. The library

is more than a room of books; it’s

a living commitment to preserving our

identity, deepening our faith, and passing

on the legacy of our community to

those who come after us.


FEATURE

Karim and Bernadette Sarafa in their kitchen.

Celebrating Heritage and Community:

Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen

BY SARAH KITTLE

In the heart of West Bloomfield, a new

culinary space is bridging generations,

cultures, and flavors. Nana Bernadette’s

Kitchen, a demonstration kitchen at the Chaldean

Community Foundation West, stands as

a tribute to the late Bernadette Sarafa, mother

of Anmar and Haithem Sarafa, prominent community

leaders and philanthropists.

Nana Bernadette Sarafa was known for her

unwavering commitment to family, faith, and

community. Her kitchen was a gathering place

where stories were shared, traditions were

passed down, and the rich tapestry of Chaldean

culture was preserved through food. Her

legacy lives on in this space, which not only

honors her memory but also serves as a hub

for cultural exchange and culinary education.

A Culinary Bridge to

Chaldean Heritage

Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen was officially opened on May 2.

The Chaldean Community Foundation West, a $20

million facility, is dedicated to preserving and sharing

Chaldean culture. The center will house various

programs to enrich, education and inspire the community.

Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen plays a pivotal

role in this mission by offering cooking classes, demonstrations,

and community meals that showcase

traditional Chaldean cuisine.

More than just a cooking space, Nana Bernadette’s

Kitchen is a place where individuals of all backgrounds

can come together to learn, share, and celebrate. The

kitchen will host a variety of programs, from hands-on

cooking classes to cultural events, all aimed at fostering

a deeper understanding of Chaldean traditions

and the role of food in community building.

For Anmar and Haithem, naming the kitchen

after their mother was a way to honor her life

and the values she instilled in them. A mother’s

kitchen is where family stories are told,

their traditions are upheld, and where love is

expressed through food. Naming this space in

her honor ensures that her legacy continues to

nourish both body and soul. “We hope Nana

Bernadette’s Kitchen helps teach and continue

the Chaldean traditions our family grew up

with; focusing on faith, family, food, fellowship

and fun,” shared Haithem.

As the Chaldean Community Foundation

West continues to grow, Nana Bernadette’s

Kitchen will remain a cornerstone of its efforts

to preserve and share Chaldean culture.

Through its programs, the kitchen not only

honors the past but also builds a bridge to the

future, ensuring that the rich culinary traditions of

the Chaldean community are passed down to generations

to come.

For those interested in experiencing the flavors and

stories of Chaldean cuisine, Nana Bernadette’s Kitchen

offers a welcoming space to learn, share, and connect.

It stands as a testament to a mother’s love and the enduring

power of food to bring people together.


APPLY NOW!

Application Opens

Monday

June 2, 2025

THE CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2025

ACADEMIC

SCHOLARSHIP

PROGRAM

w3r Consulting STEM Scholarship

Offers two (2) $5,000 scholarships for Michigan-based Chaldean

undergraduate (sophomores, juniors, seniors) candidates

pursuing S.T.E.M. degrees, focused on the IT/Computer fields of

study, with a GPA requirement of 3.0 or greater.

Drs. Nathima and Peter Atchoo Family

Foundation Scholarship Fund

Offers six (6) $2,000 scholarships for candidates pursuing

higher education, including community college, university, and

graduate studies.

Yvonne Nona Memorial Scholarship Fund

Offers a minimum of four (4) $2,500 scholarships for candidates

pursuing higher education, including community college, and

university studies.

Derek Dickow Scholarship Fund

Offers one (1) $5,000 scholarship for a candidate pursuing a

degree in the field of their choice at Oakland University.

For more information, contact Matthew Gordon (586) 722-7253

or visit https://www.chaldeanfoundation.org/scholarships to apply.

The Abdul Karim and Jameela Sesi

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Offers four (4) $2,500 scholarships for candidates pursuing

higher education, including community college, trade

schools, and university studies.

DA Advisory Group Scholarship Fund

Offers two (2) $5,000 scholarships for candidates pursuing

degrees focused on the field of accounting, with a GPA

requirement of 3.0 or greater.

Karim and Bernadette Sarafa General

Scholarship Fund

Offers one (1) $2,500 scholarship for a candidate pursuing

higher education, including community college and

university studies.

SCAN THE QR

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DEADLINE

Friday, June 27th, 2025 at 5:00pm


FEATURE

The Salim Y. Sarafa Protocol Room:

A Legacy of Diplomacy

BY MICHAEL SARAFA

Protocol.

That became our catchphrase

during our trip to Iraq

in the fall of 2023—sometimes used in

jest, sometimes in earnest.

In Iraq, “protocol” carries far more

weight than the relatively informal

customs of the more egalitarian West.

There, it’s a profession. Every ministry,

embassy, and consulate general office

has a full department of protocol staff.

In Kurdistan, some government vehicles

even have license plates that read

“Protocol.”

These teams handle everything

from seating arrangements and greeting

order to the shape of tables and the

number of flags on display. During the

Iraqi prime minister’s visit to Shenandoah,

for example, because no American

head of state was present, there

was no American flag. That decision

drew some criticism.

On our initial delegation in 2023—

and again during our visit to Baghdad

earlier this year—one thing became

quickly apparent: all the rooms were

set up the same. With the exception of

one meeting (of more than 30), there

were no conference tables.

Instead, formal “meeting rooms”

resembled traditional living rooms,

with one or two chairs at the head of a

rectangular room and short couches or

individual chairs lining the sides. Water,

tea, and Arabic coffee were served

automatically, almost always by men

from the Protocol Department.

In Iraq, where you sit signals your

rank. For meetings with top officials

like the president or prime minister,

there was typically only one chair

placed in front. When there were two,

the second was usually reserved for

Martin Manna, who led our delegation.

From there, we fanned out along

the sides—often joking that “protocol”

dictated our every move.

“Sit in the first chair next to me,”

Martin once told me.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I don’t have much to say

for this meeting. When I run out of

things to talk about, you talk,” he said.

The concept of a “protocol room”—

while rarely referred to by that name

in the West—has long been an integral

feature of political and diplomatic architecture

in the Middle East. In Iraq,

especially during the monarchy and

continuing through successive republics,

these spaces were purposefully

designed to reflect order, respect, and

hierarchy. They were less about negotiation

and more about signaling alliances,

building trust, and observing

the formalities that define relationships

between dignitaries and state actors.

From the royal courts of the Hashemite

Kingdom to the revolutionary

regimes that followed, such rooms

conveyed the tone of governance. With

their symmetrical arrangements and

deliberate seating charts, they embodied

the idea that diplomacy starts with

presentation. Every cushion, every

cup of tea, every seat had meaning.

At the time of that first trip—over

Thanksgiving in 2023—the Chaldean

Community Foundation West building

was still in the planning stages. That

visit inspired a key feature of the new

campus: the “Protocol Room.” When

naming rights became available, my

siblings and I chose to sponsor the

room in honor of our late father, Salim

Y. Sarafa. Today, the beautifully designed

and furnished space is officially

the Salim Y. Sarafa Protocol Room.

Our father would have felt right at

home in such a room. A passionate advocate

for strong ties between the Old

Country and the New, he valued communication

and cooperation—regardless

of regime or ideology. The room’s

walls now feature photos of him with

King Faisal II and Michigan Gov. Soapy

Williams, as well as Abdel Karim Qasim

and other notable figures. He believed,

even amid changing leadership

in Iraq, that engagement was essential

for the well-being of Chaldeans on

both sides of the ocean.

That tradition continues today under

Martin Manna and the Chaldean

Community Foundation, which remains

committed to open dialogue with the

Iraqi government. The hope is that discussions

held in this room will help improve

conditions for Iraqi Christians and

the global Chaldean diaspora. While the

community in Iraq has dwindled due to

decades of war and the devastation of

ISIS, the mission endures.

In the years ahead, the Salim Y.

Sarafa Protocol Room will host dignitaries

and meetings with leaders from

the United States, Iraq, and around the

world.

Protocol, after all, demands it.


(586) 540-6000

14017 23 Mile Road Shelby Twp., MI 48315

www.windowsroofingsiding.com

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( *well, not really* )

The Official, Un-Official Executive Order Discount

For The Chaldean Community!

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Receive A $100 Gift Card

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PROFILE

Spotlight On: Media Personality Kamal Yaldo

BY ADHID MIRI, PHD

Media personalities, known

for their work in television,

radio or online platforms,

often use their names, programs and

chosen topics to connect with audiences,

building strong personal

brands and influence.

One such figure is Kamal Yaldo, the

presenter of Spotlight on Iraq. Few can

match his vivid memories and lived experiences

of life in Baghdad. His deeprooted

connection to Iraq—its neighborhoods,

people and culture—is both

unique and passionate.

Yaldo carries Iraq in his heart. His

convictions are unwavering, and he remains

firmly committed to his progressive

political beliefs and social ideals.

Known for his sharp intellect and radical

viewpoints, he is a thoughtful and investigative

journalist who curates meaningful

topics, highlights overlooked voices

and fosters open dialogue.

As a seasoned journalist, researcher

and political commentator, Yaldo offers

a clear, insightful vision that helps

illuminate the issues he explores. His

interviews reflect deep engagement—

he is well-versed in his subjects, connected

to his guests and attuned to the

realities facing Iraqi society.

He features Iraqis from all walks of

life, addressing topics that engage viewers

both visually and intellectually. His

guests often come from diverse fields including

literature, culture, arts, education,

politics, heritage and history.

Through compelling broadcasts,

published articles and in-depth interviews,

Yaldo brings to light the stories

of prominent Iraqis and members of

the diaspora. He believes that staying

rooted in one’s heritage is key

to achieving modern progress. His

platform fosters respectful, open dialogue—creating

a space where ideas

can be exchanged freely, and understanding

can flourish.

Background

Kamal Yaldo was born in 1956 in Baghdad’s

Ras Al-Qaria district. After completing

high school at Eastern Preparatory

High, he enrolled in the College of

Science at Baghdad University, where

he studied for two years. On Tuesday,

Jan. 31, 1979, he boarded the crossborder

transportation bus “Nayren” to

flee Iraq, amid a wave of political repression

under the Baath regime that

targeted thousands of activists and

communists.

Yaldo eventually arrived in the

United States, where he settled in

Michigan and became a pioneering

voice within the local Iraqi community.

He became a permanent U.S. resident

on July 11, 1979.

Throughout his time in exile, Yaldo

remained deeply connected to Iraq.

His interests include political history,

photography, music, poetry, and literature.

He draws inspiration from

Iraqi folklore and heritage, which he

describes as his “water fountain.” Despite

the country’s current state—one

he believes has strayed from global

norms and modern values—he still

dreams of a future where tyranny and

religious dictatorship are replaced by

justice and freedom.

Yaldo has a profound love for traditional

Iraqi music and poetry, including

forms such as Al-Abouthia, Darmi,

Zhairi and Challaghi Al-Baghdadi. He

is a product of his old Baghdad neighborhood,

with its narrow alleys known

as darbunas. His musical tastes reflect

this heritage, embracing the songs

of Salima Pasha, Nazem Al-Ghazali,

Hudhairi Abu Aziz, Zuhur Hussein,

Lamia Tawfiq, Wahida Khalil, Abbas

Jamil, and cherished folk songs like Ya

Aziz Al-Rouh, Khayya, Naba’at Al-Rehan

(Basil), and Dishdasha Dyed with

Nieel (Blue).

“Iraqi poetry is my true passion

and closest to my conscience,” he

says, especially the poetry of Mudhaffar

al-Nawab. “My affection stems from

his notebook, and the time of his whisper

comes from afar.”

Talent Unbound

Innovation and talent form the

foundation of creativity. Talented individuals

are the true wealth of a society—its

most valuable assets. Through

their creativity, innovation and intellectual

contributions, they drive progress

and shape the cultural and social

landscape.

These individuals often confront

challenges that restrict intellectual freedom,

stall societal modernization, and

hinder personal and collective development.

Yet, they persevere. They help

build the cultural identity of their communities,

contribute to thought leadership,

spread knowledge, and help shape

a shared vision for the future.

Many people pursue university

degrees that they later do not use in

their careers. Some shift into entirely

different fields, balancing passion and

practicality in their search for fulfillment.

One such individual is Kamal

Yaldo, who studied in one discipline

but achieved recognition and success

in another—without the benefit of a

formal degree in that new field.

Yaldo carved a path in media,

driven by a desire to inform, spotlight

overlooked stories, elevate talent, and

spark progressive ideas. Despite initial

hesitation, he discovered his resilience

and overcame numerous obstacles—

emerging stronger and more determined

to achieve his goals.

He tested the limits of his talent,

confronted fear and uncertainty,

and ultimately chose a media career

marked by criticism, risk, and challenge.

Yet he prevailed.

Reflecting on his early fear of the

camera, Yaldo says the dream began

in school. Over time, his relationship

with the camera evolved—from fear,

to familiarity, to a bond of confidence.

Eventually, his shows transitioned

from pre-recorded episodes to live

broadcasts, a clear sign of his growth

and confidence.

He also believes in the value of work-


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ing across multiple fields. “Every profession

energizes the other,” he says, noting

that diverse experience enhances

one’s overall creativity and drive.

Broadcasting Truth

Journalist and writer Youssef Abu Al-

Fawz, along with the late Talal Samona,

recall the start of Kamal Yaldo’s media

journey—both in radio and television.

His first opportunity came in 2005

through a local radio station in Detroit,

where he began hosting a program

called Lights on Iraq on a television

channel known as Aramaic Space. The

show quickly became a platform for political

and cultural discourse, featuring

interviews with prominent figures from

both inside and outside Iraq. The program

aired continuously until 2019.

In March 2019, the satellite broadcast

through the Aramaic channel was

suspended. But by October of that year,

Yaldo had launched a new version of

Lights on Iraq, this time through Facebook,

broadcasting from a private studio

in the basement of his home.

With two weekly episodes, the program

continued its mission of reaching

Iraqis wherever they were. Lights on

Iraq tackled a wide range of subjects,

including the state of the country,

the national political movement, the

controversial quota system, institutional

failures, and the influence and

corruption of political parties. It also

highlighted the accomplishments of

Iraqi professionals—especially those

in academia, the arts, culture, advocacy,

education, and literature—whose

contributions were often overlooked

or forgotten.

Spotlight on Iraq

Since its debut in 2005, Spotlight on Iraq

has steadily built a loyal viewership and

continued to evolve, drawing attention

from a wide audience. The program offered

artistic and cultural content while

establishing itself as a leading voice in

creativity and innovation. It consistently

attracted some of the most respected

cultural figures in the community and

featured a wide array of expert contributors

across television and digital platforms—offering

content rich in heritage,

history, and passion.

Despite numerous challenges,

Spotlight on Iraq continued to grow,

particularly from 2012 onward, becoming

one of the most prominent and

consistent programs in Iraqi media.

While working six days a week in

retail, Kamal Yaldo still devotes significant

time to producing the program—without

assistants, financial

backing, or institutional support. He

researches, gathers content, edits, and

presents every episode on his own.

Producing each segment involves days

of preparation and approximately 10

hours of focused work per episode.

This dedication is especially evident

in his work to uncover and spotlight

Iraqi cultural and scientific figures—

many of whom have been overlooked.

Yaldo taps into personal networks and

conducts dozens of calls each week in

pursuit of accurate and compelling information.

His tireless effort has taken

him from amateur enthusiast to seasoned,

creative broadcaster.

Yaldo’s storytelling connects deeply

with viewers.

“From the very beginning, I set out

on a remarkable journey,” he said. “I’ve

been proud to be part of the legacy of

this powerful program. By tackling important

topics, hosting meaningful interviews,

and offering thoughtful analysis,

we’ve been able to present stories

in a way that inspires and engages.”

Yaldo’s contributions have not gone

unnoticed. Journalist Youssef Abu Al-

Fawz, among others, has documented

public reaction to the program in a piece

titled Persistent Media and the Experience

of the Program ‘Lights on Iraq.’

“I’ve always admired Kamal Yaldo’s

determination and consistency,”

Abu Al-Fawz wrote. “I watched his

weekly appearances closely as he persevered

on social media platforms.

His work—produced entirely from his

basement—is a testament to self-driven

media and should serve as a powerful

example for our young scholars to

learn from.”

Achievements and Aspirations

Behind every successful media project

is a quiet force working behind

the scenes—often unrecognized, but

essential. In the case of Spotlight on

Iraq, that person is the host, Kamal

Yaldo, whose tireless preparation

transforms stories into compelling

audio and video content. For him, the

spotlight isn’t the goal. It’s the message—and

the connection with viewers—that

matters most.

The success of any media production

begins with choosing the right

topic. Every strong program relies on

harmony between the host and contributors,

where creativity and collaboration

intersect to deliver engaging,

relevant content. Effective programming

requires not only thoughtful

ideas, but also the interpersonal skills

to engage guests, earn trust, and shape

a seamless viewer experience.

After 19 years, Yaldo says Spotlight

on Iraq is no longer just a program—it

has become a calling.

“It’s turned into a profession I

truly enjoy,” he explains. “I connect

with my guests, relive their memories,

share their interests, and help bring

their stories to light.”

His work dives deep into personal

and collective narratives, illuminating

the lives of individuals often overlooked

by mainstream media. Through

his lens, the program doesn’t just report

on society—it becomes part of its

cultural fabric.

Yaldo’s achievements reflect more

than dedication. They represent hope:

that through personal stories, shared

memory, and cultural preservation,

media can still shape dialogue and

strengthen communities across borders.

Final Words from a Relentless Voice

For nearly two decades, Kamal Yaldo

has succeeded as a presenter, broadcaster,

producer, and director of Spotlight

on Iraq. His journey has been

anything but conventional. Despite

having only a high school diploma,

his deep political awareness, curiosity,

and raw talent helped him reach

a broad audience and earn the trust of

listeners around the world. What began

as a hobby evolved into a calling,

taking him from one radio station to

another as he sought to amplify voices

too often forgotten.

Every accomplishment begins with

a thought. Every journey, a chance.

As Shakespeare once said, “The most

wonderful things in life happen by

chance.” Yaldo still recalls such a moment

from his youth:

“As a high school student, I was

stunned when my Arabic teacher, Mr.

Hameed, read aloud an essay I wrote

to our sixth-grade class. He said, ‘This

is the correct way of writing an essay,’

and gave me a 28 out of 30. The two

“I connect with my guests, relive their memories, share their interests,

and help bring their stories to light…I tried to produce something that

satisfied my conscience, honored my homeland, and respected the

good people of Iraq.” – Kamal Yaldo

points were deducted for grammar,

which I still struggle with. He told the

class to study it and said, ‘I wish you a

great future in writing.’ I’ve never forgotten

his encouragement.”

Over 11 years with the Aramaic satellite

channel, Yaldo used his platform

to honor hundreds of Iraqis—from academics

to artists, writers to reformers.

He proudly acknowledges the support

of Jalal Jermaga and his widely followed

Facebook page The Civilized

Discussion, which helped promote the

program and spark dialogue.

Though he never formally studied

media, Yaldo taught himself through

observation, reading, and relentless

practice. “I tried to produce something

that satisfied my conscience, honored

my homeland, and respected the good

people of Iraq,” he says.

Chaldean News is proud to highlight

the life and work of Kamal Yaldo—an

independent voice in media

who has dedicated himself to purposeful

storytelling. His interviews,

research, and presentations reflect a

lasting contribution to Iraqi and diaspora

culture. Through Spotlight on

Iraq, he has turned stories into instruments

of change—giving voice to the

voiceless and creating a record of resilience,

hope, and heritage.

SOURCES: JOURNALIST FOUAD MANNA, MAZEN

AYOUB, JOURNALIST YOUSSEF ABU AL-FAWZ,

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Community Development

Cultural Preservation

الخوف من الكامريا،‏ كان اإلعالم يداعب خياله

منذ كان تلميذاً‏ يف املدرسة،‏ ومع املامرسة تحولت

عالقته مع الكامريا إىل صداقة،‏ والصداقة اىل

حقيقة ودليل ذلك انتقال الربنامج من مرحلة

التسجيل إىل مرحلة النقل املبارش.‏ ويقول ‏“املفيد

مامرسة أكرث من مهنة يف نفس الوقت،‏ فأنا أمارس

عميل الوظيفي يف اليوم واإلعالمي ليالً،‏ وكل مهنة

تضيف لألخرى وتسهل مهمة التعامل معهام”.‏

البدايات

يخربنا عنه الكاتب واإلعالمي ‏)يوسف أبو الفوز(‏

والراحل طالل سامونا بأن بداية عمله االعالمي

‏)االذاعة والتلفزيون(‏ كانت يف عام 2005 عرب

محطة اذاعية محلية،‏ ويف ذلك العام بدأ بتقديم

برنامج اسمه ‏)اضواء عىل العراق(‏ عرب محطة

تلفزيونية محلية يف ديرتويت ‏)الفضائية اآلرامية(‏

واستمر ذلك حتى العام 2019 حيث استمر

الربنامج بفقرات سياسية وثقافية واستضاف فيه

الكثري من الشخصيات من داخل العراق وخارجه.‏

يف اذار 2019 توقف بث الربنامج من خالل

الفضائية اآلرامية،‏ وبدأت مرحلة جديدة منذ ترشين

اول 2019 يف البث من استوديو خاص أقامه يف بيته

وعِرب شبكة ‏)فيس بوك(‏ مبعدل حلقتني يف االسبوع

وما زالت مستمرا يف تقديم الربنامج ‏)اضواء عىل

العراق(‏ املوجه للعراقيني أينام وحيثام كانوا،‏ ويتناول

األوضاع يف العراق والحراك الوطني واملوقف من

حكومات املحاصصة والفساد وقوى النفوذ السيايس،‏

وكذلك تسليط االضواء وابراز الشخصيات التي عملت

يف كل حقول املعرفة والثقافة العراقية امام تجاهل

املؤسسات الرسمية لهم.‏

برنامج أضواء عىل العراق

منذ بدايته وانطالقه عام 2005 استمر برنامج

أضواء عىل العراق تحقيق نسب مشاهدة جيدة،‏

وتطور هذا الربنامج رغم التحديات التي واجهها،‏

واستمر يف شد انتباه املشاهدين والحفاظ عىل

برمجة خاصة به،‏ يقدمها من اجل تطوير املشهد

الفني والثقايف يف مجتمعنا لرتسيخ ريادتها يف

مجاالت اإلبداع واالبتكار من خالل جذب أفضل

محرتيف الثقافة يف املجتمع وساهم يف تقديم

عدد كبري من الشخصيات املتميزة عىل شاشات

الكومبيوتر والتليفزيون،‏ وتوفري املعلومات

املطلوبة ألصحاب االهتامم والشغف بالتأريخ

والرتاث.‏ ومنذ عام 2012، تطور الربنامج رغم

التحديات التي واجهها ليصبح واحدا من أبرز

الربامج يف عامل اإلعالم املحيل واستمر يف الحفاظ

عىل شخصية ابداعية خاصة به.‏

ومعروف ان كامل يلدو،‏ رغم ارتباطه بالعمل

‏)يف املبيعات(‏ لستة أيام يف األسبوع،‏ إال انه يكرس

جهدا متميزا إلعداد الربنامج بنفسه ولوحده،‏ دون

مساعدين،‏ وميوله من ماله الخاص،‏ دون ان يحظى

بأي دعم من أي جهة ما،‏ ويقوم مبهام البحث

وتجميع وتبويب املواد اإلعالمية وتقدميها بنفسه.‏

ويبذل جهدا كبريا يف عمليات البحث وتوفري املواد،‏

خاصة عند جمع املعلومات عن الشخصيات

الثقافية والعلمية العراقية،‏ حيث يستثمر عالقاته

ويجري العرشات من االتصاالت بحثا عن املعلومة

الدقيقة وتستغرق كل حلقة عدة أيام يف اإلعداد،‏

مبعدل عرشة ساعات لكل حلقة فتحول بذلك من

إعالمي هاوي اىل مُحرتف ومقدم مُبدع.‏

يحيك عن سنوات تجربته مع برنامج أضواء

عىل العراق والعمل وحيداً‏ يف تقديم برنامج يالمس

قلوب املشاهدين،‏ قائال يف هذا الصدد،‏ ‏“لقد كنت

جزءا من رحلة إعالمية منذ البداية،‏ وأنا فخور بأن

أكون جزءا من تاريخ محطات هذا الربنامج املميز”.‏

ومن خالل تقديم تقارير مؤثرة ومقابالت مثرية

وتحليالت عميقة،‏ نجح الربنامج يف إبراز قصص

الضيوف بشكل يلهم ويثري اهتامم املشاهدين.‏

أراء

وكام يكتب كامل يلدو عن األخرين،‏ فلقد كتب عنه

الكثريون ومنهم اإلعالمي يوسف أبو الفوز يف موقع

الناس وتحت عنوان اإلعالمي املثابر كامل يلدو

وتجربة برنامج ‏)أضواء عىل العراق(‏ فيقول:‏ ‏“لطاملا

أثارت إعجايب تجربة زمييل وصديقي اإلعالمي كامل

يلدو،‏ يف مثابرته وارصاره للعمل،‏ واستمرار ظهور

برنامجه األسبوعي ‏)أضواء عىل العراق(‏ عىل منصات

التواصل االجتامعي.‏ مؤخرا،‏ حني توفرت يل الفرصة

لزيارة محل إقامته يف بيته،‏ يف مدينة ديرتويت

االمريكية وزيارة استوديو الربنامج الذي أقامه

يف قبو بيته،‏ قررت مشاركة القراء بتسليط شيئا

من الضوء عىل هذه التجربة امللهمة،‏ التي طاملا

متنيت ان يطلع عليها البعض من شبابنا اإلعالميني

الستنباط بعض الدروس منها”.‏

أمانة وأمنيات

وراء كل عمل ناجح او مرشوع إعالمي جندي

يعمل يف الظل ويُعترب العمود االسايس والدعامة

الركيزة الستمرار هذا االنجاز،‏ وهو ‏)املُعد(‏ الذي

يعمل عىل تجهيز املادة التي تتحول اىل صورة

او مقطع صويت يقدمها لجمهور املتابعني،‏ هذا

الجندي قلام نجده وسط االضواء او تحتها،‏ فهو

الجندي املجهول الذي يعمل من وراء الكواليس

بقدرة ال يستطيع كثريون امتالكها،‏ لذلك فإن

الشهرة ليست مهمة بقدر نجاح الربامج وردود

أفعال املشاهدين والتفاعل مع الجمهور.‏

وأمام كل مشاهد وبرنامج ناجح مُعد متميز،‏

هو أساس الربنامج وهو الذي يالمس احتياجات

املشاهدين من خالل املوضوعات واألفكار التي

يطرحها،‏ وتكون لديه خربة علمية وعملية تؤهله

إلعداد برامج متخصصة يف قضايا املجتمع املختلفة

ويجب أن يتصف باللباقة والذكاء اللذين ميكنانه

التواصل مع الضيوف والتعامل مع عمل متكامل،‏

إذ أن ثقافة الضيوف وخربة املُقدم واختيار املوضوع

هم اسس نجاح الربنامج اإلعالمي والعمل ال ينجح

اال بتكامل وتناغم كافة الفرق بشكل عام.‏

وعن تقدميه لربنامج أضواء عىل العراق طيلة

19 سنة يؤكد أنه مل يعد برنامجا عاديا بالنسبة

له،‏ وإمنا تحول إىل أمانة ومُهمة ومهنة،‏ مؤكدا

أنه يتفاعل مع الضيوف ويعيش ذكريات ايامهم

واهتامهم ومهنهم.‏ وينقل كامل من خالل تجاربه،‏

صورة حية عن التحديات التي تواجه اإلعالميني

أثناء تغطية القصص اإلنسانية،‏ حني يغوصون يف

أعامق بحور املجتمع ال فقط كمراقبني،‏ بل كجزء

من النسيج االجتامعي الذي يعملون ضمنه.‏

حصيلة برنامج ‏“أضواء عىل العراق”‏

للعام ٢٠٢٤

1 الربنامج االول كان يوم ٣ كانون ثان والربنامج

االخري يوم ٢٩ كانون أول ٢٠٢٤

2 وصل مجموع الربامج املقدمة لهذا العام اىل

٨٦ برنامجاً‏ مبعدل ساعة ونصف للبث ومبجموع

١٢٩ ساعة بث،‏ اما مجموع الساعات التقريبي

التي يستغرقها الربنامج الواحد فهي بحدود

)١٠( ساعات وبذا يكون مجموع ساعات العمل

٨٦٠ ساعة.‏

3 وصل عدد الربامج السياسية اىل )٤( برامج،‏

فيام كانت حصة الربامج الثقافية )٨٢( برنامج.‏

4 وصل مجموع الشخصيات التي تناولتها يف

الربنامج اىل )١٥١( شخصية،‏ كانت حصة السيدات

)١٥( وحصة السادة )١٣٦(

تناولت الربامج السياسية:‏

أزمة املياه املستفحلة ومخاطرها عىل الوجود

البرشي العراقي،‏ محنة الغربة واستمرار هذا

النزيف دون وجود حلول واقعية ملشاكل العراق،‏

محنة املسيحيني واملكونات غري املسلمة يف

العراق،‏ واخريا يف استذكار انتفاضة ترشين الباسلة

وشهدائها وجرحاها وتخاذل كل الحكومات

والقضاء من تقديم القتلة والرساق للقضاء.‏

الربامج الثقافية تناولت الحقول

التالية:‏

1 عن املرسح العراقي والفنانني )٢١( شخصية

2 عازفني وملحنني بلغ عددهم )١٧( توزعوا بني

عازيف العود والكامن والجيلو واآلالت االيقاعية

3 عن حضارة وادي الرافدين ٣ مواد

4 عامل الرياضة )٧( مواد تناولت ٣ من ابطال

كامل االجسام و‎٣‎ عدائيني والربنامج املحبوب

الرياضة يف اسبوع

5 من املؤرخني والكتاب كانت هناك شخصيتان

6 الفن التشكييل والنحت تناولت )٢٠( شخصية

7 يف الشعر تناولت ٣ شعراء غنائيني وشاعرا آخرا

8 من كتاب الرواية تناولت سيدة واحدة واثنان

من الروائيني اليهود العراقيني

9 مؤسسة مجلتي واملزمار تناولت )٢٣( شخصية

توزعت بني إداريني ورسامني وكتاب سيناريو و)‏‎٥‎‏(‏

شهداء قتلهم النظام البائد.‏

10 يف االعالم تناولت شخصيتان

11 يف الطرب والغناء تناولت )٣( مطربني

12 من املؤسسة العامة لإلذاعة والتلفزيون

تناولت )١٢( شخصية،‏ توزعت بني مخرجني

ومصورين والتأكيد عىل السيدات اللوايت دخلن

هذا الحقل للمرة االوىل وابدعن فيه

13 مخرجني ومصورين سينامئيني )٨(

14 من مهنديس العامرة واملعامريني )٢(

15 من االطباء والطبيبات البارزين )٦(

16 شخصيتان من حكومة جمهورية ١٤ متوز

‎17‎يف علم االجتامع والفلسفة شخصيتني )٢(

18 استعراض تاريخ )١٧( مدرسة واعدادية يف

بغداد وبعض املحافظات،‏ والوقوف امام تاريخها

وتأثريها عىل االجيال

19 من املعلمني واملدرسني )٥( شخصيات

٤ 20 شخصيات من مصممي الديكور يف

التلفزيون العراقي

٣ 21 استاذة عملوا وملعوا يف الرتجمة

22 تناولت شخصية واحدة من الكتبيني،‏ اصحاب

املكتبات

23 شخصيات ذات حضور عاملي،‏ تناولت

شخصيتني.‏

كلمة أخرية

لقد نجح كامل يلدو يف مسريته اإلعالمية كمُعد

ومُقدم ومُخرج منفذ طيلة 19 عاما ومل يكن ذلك

منهجاً‏ عاديا بالنسبة له كصاحب الفكرة ومنفذها

رغم حصوله عىل شهادة الثانوية العامة فقط،‏ إذ

مكنته موهبته وثقافته السياسية العامة من الوصول

للناس واملستمعني واملشاهدين الفيسبوكيني.‏ بعد

دخوله مجال اإلعالم كهواية،‏ انتقل من إذاعة ألخرى

لتزيد شهرته ويعرفه الناس أكرث،‏ ووصل إىل مرتبة

إعالمية عالية ليقوم بتقديم برنامجه الواسع االنتشار

‏)أضواء عىل العراق(‏ حيث هو املُعد واملخرج واملنجز

واملنفذ واملسؤول بشكل كامل.‏

ويقول ‏“لكل مقام مقال،‏ ولكل أمنية هدف،‏

ولكل نجاح شكر وامتنان”،‏ ومع ان املنحى الذي

كنت ارغب به هو الجانب العلمي ‏)احياء او

طب(‏ إال إن الكتابة كانت تستهويني،‏ ولعيل

مدين اىل مدرس اللغة العربية يف االعدادية

الرشقية ‏)االستاذ حميد - أطال الله بعمره إن

كان عىل قيد الحياة،‏ أو أن يغمره بواسع رحامته

إن كان قد غادرنا بسالم(‏ ففي مرحلة السادس

اعدادي طلب من تالميذه كتابة موضوع يف مادة

االنشاء،‏ وقمت بذلك كبقية التالميذ،‏ وكانت

املفاجأة حينام دعاين لقراءة نص مقالتي امام

طالب الصف ‏“هذا هو االنشاء الصحيح”‏ ومنحني

درجة ٣٠/٢٨ وكان السبب يف استقطاع النقطتني

ألين كنت سيئاً‏ ‏)ومازلت(‏ يف أصول البيان وقواعد

اللغة العربية.‏ السادس ‏)ي(‏ وقام بقراءتها وقال

لهم:‏

واالجمل من كل هذا،‏ فإنه ذيّل تلك الكتابة

بتعليق قال فيه ‏“امتنى لك مستقبال كبريا يف

الكتابة”.‏ وأمانة مني لذكرى استاذي ‏)حميد(،‏

قمت بكتابة بعض الوجدانيات عن الغربة

والحنني والشهداء.‏ واليوم عرب القناة الفضائية

اآلرامية أركز وقتي وجهدي عىل برنامج ‏)أضواء

عىل العراق(‏ حيث ترشفت من خالله وعىل مدى

)١١ سنة(‏ من عمر الربنامج باستضافة مئات

الشخصيات العراقية ومن ضمنهم يف شبكة

املواقع العراقية االستاذ الغايل ‏)جالل چرمگا(.‏

يعتز كاتب هذه املقالة ومجلة اخبار

الكلدان ‏)كالديان نيوز(‏ بنرش هذه النبذة وتسليط

األضواء عىل جهود اإلعالمي املهجري املتميز كامل

يلدو،‏ والتعرف عىل أبرز الربامج واملحطات يف

مسريته اإلعالمية،‏ التي يطل بها علينا بأسلوبه

وطريقته يف توصيل املعلومات وتقديم الضيوف

بشكل مشوق وصحيح،‏ وتشهد له أعامله ومتتد

رسالته للمجتمع من خالل بصامت جميلة ورسائل

هادفة ملشاهديه،‏ مشددا عىل أهمية االستامع إىل

الجامهري وإعطاء صوت ملن ال صوت لهم،‏ بحيث

تتحول القصص املروية إىل وسيلة للتغيري والتأثري

االجتامعي والنجاح املستقبيل ويف ذلك أبدع

كامل يلدو يف تقديم مواضيع برنامجه أضواء عىل

العراق علام انه مل تتوفر الفرص ليك يدرس االعالم،‏

ولكنه بكل تواضع ثقّف نفسه عرب املالحظة

واملطالعة وقدم شيئا يريض ضمريه والناس ويعزز

انتامءه للوطن والشعب الغايل.‏

املراجع

مقالة اإلعالمي يوسف أبو الفوز،‏ الصحفي فؤاد منّا،‏

مازن أيوب،‏ الحوار املتمدن’‏ جالل جرمكًا محرر

منصة كًاردينيا،‏ ويكيبيديا،‏ يوتيوب،‏ كامل يلدو.‏


PROFILE

إضاءة على اإلعالمي كمال يلدو

بقلم د عضيد مريي

مقدمة

من منا مل يستمع اىل او يشاهد اإلعالمي العراقي

األصيل والبغدادي العتيق مُعد ومقدم برنامج أضواء

عىل العراق ‏)كامل يلدو(؟ وقليل منا قد يصادف

يف مسرية حياته بغداديا بتجذر وعمق االنتامءات

لذكريات وطنه وعاصمته وأهله وصحبه ومحلته

مثله،‏ فهو يحمل للعراق محبة قل لها نظري وقناعات

وطنية ال تقبل التغيري وكأي ذا فكر تقدمي نجدهُ‏

صاحب رأي جديل مثري يسري به ومعه وجنبه.‏

وللذين يعرفونه متاماً،‏ يجدونه باحث دقيق

واستقصايئ عميق يحاول استخالص مواضيع

قيمة وتقديم ضيوف منسيني يف برنامجه أضواء

عىل العراق ويعمل مببدأ الحوار وحرية النقاش

متفادي فرض رأي واحد،‏ إذ يركز عىل اإلنصات

والتفاهم وخلق مجال لألريحية الفكرية،‏ باإلضافة

اىل الثقة القوية التي تجمع بينه وبني ضيوفه

ومشاهديه فالربنامج عنده أمانة ومسؤولية.‏

وكامل يلدو،‏ إعالمي متمرس،‏ لديه جاذبية

العرض ومتيّز الفكرة التي يقدمها وقدرته عىل

البحث وجذب الضيوف من عوامل اآلدب والثقافة

والفنون والتعليم والسياسة والرتاثيات والتأريخ

وتقديم فرص عرض واقعية ومشوقة،‏ وهو ملم

متاماً‏ بأوضاع الوطن واملجتمع ويحاور بذكاء

العراقيني املشاهري،‏ ويتناول مواضيع تُجدد وتُكلم

ومتأل املتابعني بهجة برصية تضفي املزيد من

األبعاد إىل معارف املشاهدين واملتابعني.‏ وهو

كباحث ومُعد ومُقدم برامج محرتف ال يرتك

صغرية او كبرية عن ضيوفه إال وقد بحث فيها

واحصاها وثبتها وبينها يف فقرات برامجه.‏

وليتجىل كإعالمي مشارك قَدمَ‏ وأعد ونرش

أكرث من مقابلة وتحليل ومقال وكأنه قد بحث

يف تأريخ كل عراقي أو مهجري متميز يف أوانه

وميدانه.‏ وهو يؤمن بالرجوع اىل الجذور كأساس

للحداثة،‏ وله تصور متكامل يدعو إىل متكني

ضيوف برامجه من أدواتهم املعرفية لصياغة واقع

اجتامعي وقيمي جديد يناسب الثقافات املعارصة،‏

ويُعني عىل صياغة الفكر االجتامعي والسيايس

ومعالجة األشياء بصورة جاملية فيتسم جو الحوار

بالود والتسامح واالحرتام وطرح مفاهيم ومواضيع

تُعيد األلفة وتجعل الناس تتشجع وتتذكر وتتكلم.‏

اإلعالمي املُيضء عىل العراق –

معلومات عامة

ولد كامل يلدو عام 1956 يف بغداد،‏ منطقة

رأس القرية،‏ أنهى الثانوية يف االعدادية الرشقية

وانتسب اىل كلية العلوم جامعة بغداد ملدة عامني

وتركها نهاية 1978، عندما انطلق به باص ‏“النرين”‏

مغادرا العراق يوم الثالثاء 31 كانون ثاين 1979

الساعة الثانية عرش وربع بعد الظهر من ساحة

حافظ القايض.‏

تعرض مثل االف غريه من الدميقراطيني

والشيوعيني اىل سطوة وعُسف نظام البعث

الفايش فاضطر ملغادرة العراق مطلع عام 1979

صوب الواليات املتحدة ومقيم فيها منذ 11 متوز

1979. ليستقر يف والية ميشيغان ويصبح أحد

النشطاء يف املجتمع املحيل.‏

أبرز اهتامماته هو متابعة الوضع العراقي،‏

قراءات ادبية متفرقة واهتامم خاص بتأريخ

العراق السيايس ويهوى التصوير الفوتوغرايف

والرتاث العراقي األصيل الذي يعتربه ماءه الذي

يرتوي منه،‏ ومازال عنده احالم كثرية،‏ منها وضع

عراق اليوم الذي أصبح بعيداً‏ عن الحريات املدنية

والحداثة وينتظر معجزة تزيح سطوة الدكتاتورية

الدينية وهيمنة الطغاة الجدد.‏

يعشق الرتاث والشعر الشعبي والغناء الرتايث

فهو من مدرسة األبوذية والدارمي والزهريي

والجالغي وابن املحلة العتيقة وأصدقاء الدربونة

الضيقة،‏ ويطرب ألغاين سليمة باشا وناظم الغزايل

وحضريي أبو عزيز وزهور حسني ومليعة توفيق

ووحيدة خليل وعباس جميل ويُنسجم مع بستات

عزيز الروح وخيه ونبعة الريحان ودشداشة صبغ

النيل وكلام هو جميل.‏

يقول “ انا اعشق الشعر العراقي الرصني

وأقربهم اىل وجداين هو شعر الرائع مظفر النواب.‏

معانايت ألخصها بكلامته ‏)احتك بكل الجدران

وكأن الغربة يا وطني جرب يف جلدي(،‏ اما احالمه

فيخترصها ‏)يكَظن وأرد يا ديريت لحسنج وأموتن

اعىل التنب ‏...ايام املزبّن كَضن،‏ تكَظن يا ايام اللف(.‏

وقصتي مع العشق للنواب نقلتها من دفرته

‏)ولساع من همسه تجي من بعيد يخضٌرْ‏ الدَمِع،‏

كل نسمه ترفه من تفك الباب يخنِكَني الدمِع(.‏

وشعاري يف الحياة ‏)باقون،‏ وأعمار الطغاة قصار(”.‏

املوهبة واالبتكار أسس اإلبداع

املوهوبون واملتفوقون هم الرثوة الحقيقية

ملجتمعاتهم وهم كنوزها وأمثن مواردها،‏ فعىل

عقولهم وابداعاتهم وابتكاراتهم وبرامجهم الفكرية

والعملية تنعقد األمال ملواجهة التحديات وحل

املعضالت التي تعرتض مسرية الحرية الفكرية وارتياد

افاق املستقبل وتحديث املجتمعات وتطويرها

وتحقيق تقدمها وبناء معامل حضارتها وتنمية

االستعدادات واستثامر الطاقات املتوقدة التي يفرضها

التقدم والتغريات املتسارعة يف كافة مناحي الحياة،‏

واالنطالق واللحاق بركب التقدم ومجتمع املعرفة

واملشاركة بفعالية لبناء الفكر ونرش الثقافة واملستقبل

الجامعي للمجتمع والوطن.‏

كثريون يحملون شهادات جامعية مل يستفيدوا

منها يف حياتهم العملية ليرتكوها جانبا،‏ وبعضهم

طوعها يف خدمة مجال آخر وجد نفسه فيه ليعادل

بذلك طريف املعادلة ويصل يف النهاية إىل نتيجة

ترضيه.‏ وواحد من هؤالء الذين درسوا مجاال وحلقوا

يف آخر هو كامل يلدو الذي نجح يف ولوج عامل

اعالمي كبري وحقق الكثري بال دراسة جامعية كاملة.‏

كان هدف كامل يلدو يف اقتحام مجال

اإلعالم نرش املعرفة والتعريف باملواهب املنسية

واملغمورة ونرش األفكار السائدة بني الناس،‏ ورغم

تردده يف بادئ األمر إال أنه وجد يف نفسه القدرة

عىل تحدي الصعوبات ليصل إىل هدفه،‏ فَخضّ‏ ع

جينات موهبته وقابلياته من اجل مامرسة اإلعالم،‏

واجتاز توتره وانترص عليه ليتخذ قرار العمل يف

مجال صعب يسهل فيه الفشل واالنتقادات.‏

وعىل خوض التجربة والنجاح يف تخطي


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Say Goodbye to Food Dyes

FDA moves to eliminate synthetic food dyes by 2026

BY MELISSA ZETOUNA

If you’re someone who scrutinizes

food labels for healthier choices,

recent developments from the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

will be of interest. The FDA has announced

a plan to phase out petroleum-based

synthetic food dyes from

the nation’s food supply by the end

of 2026, citing health concerns associated

with these additives.

Health Risks Prompt

Regulatory Action

Synthetic dyes, derived from petroleum,

have been used for decades to

enhance the visual appeal of foods,

medicines, and cosmetics. However,

studies have linked certain dyes to

health issues, particularly in children.

For instance, FD&C Red No. 3 has been

associated with cancer in laboratory

animals, leading to its ban in cosmetics

since 1990. In January 2025, the FDA

extended this ban to include foods and

ingested drugs, invoking the Delaney

Clause, which prohibits additives found

to cause cancer in humans or animals.

The following eight will be eliminated

by 2026:

Citrus Red No. 2- To be discontinued

in 2025. It is used to make oranges

look more vibrantly orange. The

concern is that the rind and the pith,

used in cooking and baking, will deliver

this known carcinogen to humans,

which is linked to bladder cancer

when tested in rats and mice.

Orange B- To be discontinued in

2025. Initially approved for use in sausage

casings, it is found nowadays

predominantly in hotdogs. Often contaminated

with low levels of a known

carcinogen, it has been proven to

cause liver cancer, bile duct inflammation

and bladder cancer in animals.

FD&C Green No. 3- Found in packaged

green peas and artificially flavored

sherbert, this green dye is linked

with inattentiveness and learning

difficulties in children, itching, skin

rashes, hives and respiratory issues.

From left: Citrus Red No.2 is used to make oranges more vibrant. Turmeric is a deep, golden-orange

spice known for adding color, flavor and nutrition to foods.

Some studies suggest it inhibits synaptic

activity in the hippocampus involved

in decision-making, learning

and memory. Increased risk of tumors

of the bladder found in lab rats.

FD&C Red No. 40- The most widely

used food dye is found in certain orange-colored

drinks, ketchup, cereals,

flavored yogurt, freeze pops, Kool-Aid,

Starbursts, gummy fruit snacks, gum

and NyQuil medication. The compound

can contain benzene, a known

carcinogen; high amounts are linked

with accelerated immune system tumor

growth in mice. It also may exacerbate

ADHD in children and cause

allergic reactions in other individuals.

FD&C Yellow No. 5- Also known as

Tartrazine, this second most widely

used dye is found in fabric dyes, children’s

chewable vitamins, certain “vitamin”

waters, Gatorade, Mountain

Dew, Cap N’Crunch cereal, Cheez-Its,

yellow Skittles, fruit gummy snacks,

chicken bouillon, canned corn, popcorn,

pancake mix, pickles and flavored

yogurt. It can provoke allergic

responses such as asthma, itching,

hives and intestinal inflammation.

FD&C Yellow No. 6- The third most

widely used dye is found in Airheads,

Lucky Charms, Jolly Ranchers, nacho

cheese sauces, soups, canned fruits

and cosmetics. It is linked with adrenal

gland and renal tumors in animals

when contaminated with benzidine, a

known carcinogen.

FD&C Blue No. 1- Utilized in M&Ms

and Takis (blue colored chips), it is

known to trigger allergic reactions such

as skin rashes, hives and nasal congestion.

Linked with ADD and ADHD. Studies

on mice have shown a potential association

with kidney tumor formation.

FD&C Blue No. 2- Predominantly in

Skittles candy and blueberry flavored

Pop Tarts, it is associated with brain

tumors in male lab rats.

These dyes, especially Red No.40,

Yellow No.5 and Blue No.1, have been

directly linked with inflammation, hyperactivity,

and behavioral challenges

in children. They have been banned

in Europe for decades. Now in the US,

these and other petroleum-based food

dyes are being replaced by the following

natural alternatives:

Galdieria Blue is derived from algae

and will be used in cereal, juices,

hard candy, frosting, chewing gum,

frozen dairy, popsicles and yogurt.

Butterfly pea flower extract from

flower petals is already approved in

beverages, candy and ice cream; it will

now expand its use in crackers, pretzels

and chips.

Calcium Phosphate, a natural

white compound, is currently approved

for use in chicken to brighten

the color. It is also used in doughnut

sugar and white candy melts.

You may be wondering why berries,

saffron, or turmeric—traditionally

used as food dyes for Easter eggs and

Chaldean dishes such as biryani and

maraka—are not considered valid substitutions

for the outgoing dyes. They

are, but they’re also costly.

Saffron, the most expensive spice in

the world, is usually sold by the gram

(its going rate is in excess of $100 per

ounce). Turmeric, when free of heavy

metals and herbicides, can go as high

as $4.99 per ounce. Everyone knows

how expensive berries and grapes can

get, especially when sourced for wine!

As naturally- derived food dyes replace

petroleum-based ones in our national

food supply, we will notice more

labels identifying foods free of artificial

ingredients, more conscientious

grocery shopping, and hopefully, a decreasing

trend of childhood behavioral

challenges and chronic illness.

Melissa Zetouna is a practicing

Physician Assistant of 20+ years,

founder of iMed, a health and wellness

tele-platform at www.iMedoncall.com.


Building

Business

Advocacy

Building

Community

Networking

Building

Relationships

Economic

Development

JOIN THE STATE’S LARGEST ETHNIC CHAMBER!

CALL SANA AT 248.851.1200 OR VISIT

CHALDEANCHAMBER.COM TO JOIN TODAY!

Affiliates

METRO

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TO MORE

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CHALDEANS

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ANNUALLY

TO THE

MICHIGAN

ECONOMY

48,000+

Individuals Served in 2024

18,000+

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce serves

1,000+ MEMBERS

Representing

5,000+ BUSINESSES

Website Visitors per Month

CN SOCIAL MEDIA REACH

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www.chaldeanchamber.com • info@chaldeanchamber.com • 248.851.1200

2075 Walnut Lake Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48323


FEATURE

Stories of Strength

Celebrating immigrant heritage month

BY SARAH KITTLE

Each June, Immigrant Heritage

Month offers a time to recognize

and celebrate the millions of immigrants

who have shaped—and continue

to enrich—the American story.

It’s a moment to honor the diverse cultures,

backgrounds, and journeys that

define the soul of the United States.

From first-generation newcomers to

families with deep immigration roots,

this month invites us to listen, learn,

and amplify voices that are often unheard.

At its core, Immigrant Heritage

Month is about storytelling—giving

space to narratives of resilience, hope,

and the pursuit of a better life. In that

spirit, we share the journeys of two

remarkable individuals: Sean Tela, a

32-year-old immigrant from Iraq, and

Yasser Ashkar, a 54-year-old immigrant

from Syria by way of Turkey.

Sean’s Story

Born in northern Iraq, Sean Tela spent

his early childhood in the town of

Telkaif. His father owned a pair of liquor

stores and faced regular threats

from members of the local Muslim

community opposed to alcohol sales.

Because of the danger, Sean was not

allowed to work in the stores.

Instead, at age 11, he was apprenticed

to a barber who lived across the

street. Sean quickly fell in love with

the trade. “I just wanted to work,” he

said. That early experience sparked a

lifelong passion for barbering.

It wasn’t until Sean arrived in the

United States that he felt truly alive.

“My eyes opened up here,” he said.

Though he spoke only Sureth and

Arabic at the time, he embraced the

culture, the land—everything about

America. He enrolled at Walled Lake

Central High School, took ESL classes,

and quickly adapted.

Sean first landed in Chicago with

his family, including his older brother

Fadi and younger sister Vera, before

connecting to Detroit. At Metro Airport,

they were welcomed by extended

Above: Sean Tela has four barber shops and recently opened a barber school

in West Bloomfield. Top right: Yasser Ashkar became an American citizen in

December 2024.

family members who had already settled

in the U.S.—his grandmother and

aunts. It was a joyful reunion.

A turning point came when Sean

connected with Salon Skye, a Chaldean-owned

salon in West Bloomfield

Township. “They helped me out so

much,” he said, noting the support

he received in building clientele and

launching his own business—Sean’s

Salon & Barbershop.

He opened his first location in West

Bloomfield a decade ago. Since then,

he’s expanded with shops in Walled

Lake, Commerce, and most recently,

Waterford. Now, Sean is focused on

scaling his business and building a

legacy. He recently launched a barber

school—not only to train future employees,

but to pass on his craft. “I

want to teach the next generation how

to cut hair,” he said.

Yasser’s Story

Yasser Ashkar was born in 1971 in

Aleppo, Syria—one of the world’s oldest

continuously inhabited cities.

“As a child, I was oblivious to

Aleppo’s historical and cultural significance,”

Yasser said. “It was simply

my home. Life was full of family, tradition,

and a strong sense of community.”

Aleppo was renowned for its ethnic

diversity, ancient souks, architecture,

and cuisine.

But life under the Assad regime was

repressive. “Even before the war, there

were things you couldn’t say without

risking your safety,” he said. “We were

taught to stay quiet, avoid politics, and

live under constant surveillance.”

When the Syrian revolution began

in 2011, many saw it as a chance

for long-awaited freedom. But the

war that followed brought immense

destruction and mass displacement.

Aleppo became a symbol of suffering.

“Still, I carry the spirit of Aleppo

with me,” Yasser said. “The resilience

of its people, the richness of its culture,

and the hope that one day it will

rise again.”

His journey to America was both

physical and emotional. “Leaving

Syria meant saying goodbye to family,

friends, and a lifetime of memories,”

he said. “But it had become unlivable

under dictatorship and war.”

Coming to the U.S. was not just

about safety—it was about seeking a

place to breathe freely and live with

dignity. “The process was long, uncertain,

and often painful,” he said.

“There was grief in leaving, but also

hope in arriving.”

“In America, I found opportunities

I never had—especially the freedom to

speak openly and connect with people

from all walks of life,” he said. But the

transition was not without challenges.

He had to rebuild from scratch, learn

new systems, and adapt to a new culture.

The openness and generosity of many

Americans helped him feel not just like

he was starting over—but starting anew.

A few surprises stood out. Yasser

was struck by how openly Americans express

their opinions, especially toward

political leaders. Coming from a country

where dissent could be dangerous, it

was shocking—and empowering—to see

citizens protest and debate without fear.

He also noticed the cultural emphasis

on individualism. “In Syria, life revolves

around family and community.

In America, there’s a focus on personal

freedom and independence,” he said. “It

can be empowering, but also isolating.”

Yasser hopes to offer his new community

perspective, connection, and

gratitude through action. “I want to be

a bridge—someone who helps others

see beyond borders and reminds people

of our shared humanity,” he said.

“Whether through writing, speaking,

volunteering, or simply being present,

I want to contribute to a culture of empathy,

awareness, and justice.”

He is particularly passionate about

human rights, democracy, and standing

with the oppressed. “I know firsthand

what it means to live without

freedom,” he said.

IMMIGRANT MONTH

continued on page 43


CAREER

SERVICES

WHAT WE DO

PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN ONE OF OUR NEW AMERICANS.

The Career Services Department at the Chaldean

Community Foundation offers one-on-one assistance to

help clients identify goals and develop careers.

• Career Fairs

• Employer Referrals

• Job Application Completion

• Training Opportunities

• Resume Building

• Mock Interviews

• Cover Letter Writing

• FAFSA Completion

To inquire about adding your open positions to our job bank and hiring one of our

clients, please call or email Elias at 586.722.7253

or elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org

Chaldean Community Foundation | 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310


SPORTS

Can’t Measure Heart

The rise of Logan Hamama

BY STEVE STEIN

Logan Hamama has a message

for young Chaldean basketball

players dreaming of starting for

their high school team—or even playing

in college.

“I’m very proud to be a Chaldean

who started for one of the top five high

school boys basketball programs in

the state and will be playing college

basketball,” he said. “If you put in the

time and effort and put your faith in

God, of course, you can achieve your

goals.”

Despite being the shortest player

on the Birmingham Brother Rice High

School basketball team this past season

at 5-foot-9, Hamama earned the

starting point guard role and became

the Warriors’ top defender. He regularly

faced off against taller, future college

players—and made life difficult

for them.

He wasn’t intimidated, thanks in

part to the intense practices and offseason

workouts he endured alongside

his talented teammates.

“To help my defense, I also watched

a lot of film so I could study opposing

players’ tendencies,” he said. “I felt I

could guard anyone.”

Hamama’s stats weren’t flashy—he

averaged 3.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and

2.7 assists per game—but he was highly

efficient. He shot 45% from two-point

range, 41% from three, and 85% from

the free-throw line. He also ranked third

on the team in plus-minus at +12.8, a

metric that compares points scored and

allowed when a player is on the floor.

His final points in a Brother Rice

uniform were a fitting reminder of his

value. With 5.4 seconds left in a Division

1 regional semifinal game, he

calmly sank two free throws after being

intentionally fouled, trimming U-D

Jesuit’s lead to one. Brother Rice ultimately

lost 60-58.

His senior-year heroics are even

more impressive considering how far

he came. Hamama saw little action as

a sophomore and was a rotation player

as a junior.

Logan Hamama’s favorite thing to do is play basketball.

Brother Rice head coach Rick

Palmer, now in his seventh season,

didn’t hold back his admiration.

“I’m more proud of Logan than

anyone in the program since I’ve been

here,” Palmer said. “He never stopped

working on the court or in the weight

room. He never stopped believing he

could start, even when he wasn’t getting

playing time. What he gave up in

size, he made up in strength.”

While Hamama climbed the ranks,

Brother Rice enjoyed the best three-year

run in program history, going 64-12. That

includes a 22-3 record this past season

and a second-place finish (6-1) in the

Catholic League Central Division behind

U-D Jesuit (7-0), the only team to beat

them in regular-season league play.

Next up for Hamama: the University

of Michigan-Dearborn, where he’ll

continue his basketball career.

Playing in college is a dream come

true for Hamama. “I felt like family

when I visited there, and I was the

only high school guard point guard

they recruited, so I have an opportunity

to earn some playing time right

away,” he said.

Since the season ended, Hamama

PHOTO COURTESY HAMAMA FAMILY.

has added 10 pounds of muscle, going

from 160 to 170 pounds through daily

workouts at a Sylvan Lake gym.

Palmer is confident Hamama will

thrive at the college level.

“Logan doesn’t have the genetics

of a typical college player,” he said.

“But you can’t measure the size of

someone’s heart. Most college players

didn’t go through what he did to reach

that level.”

What also can’t be measured is

Hamama’s love for the game.

“Playing basketball is my favorite

thing to do. It’s my happy place,” he

said.

That wasn’t always the case. Between

his sophomore and junior years,

he over-trained and developed knee

pain that forced him to take a break.

But he learned from the experience.

“I worked just as hard going into

my senior year, but I prioritized recovery,”

he said. “That helped me stay

healthy all season.”

Hamama credits a strong support

system—including coaches, mentors,

teammates and, most of all, family—

for his growth.

His father, Nate, was his first coach

and remains his “best coach.” His

mother, Heather, played a pivotal role

as well.

“The summer before my junior

year, my mom dropped me off at gyms

all over the area because I wasn’t old

enough to drive,” he said. “Places like

Oakland Community College, Macomb

Community College, Henry Ford High

School and Warren Lincoln. “I played

against different top-level guys at

those gyms to see how I compared to

them. That helped me a lot with my

confidence and with experiencing different

environments.”

She also made sure he was fed.

“Besides driving me, my mom made

me food during because I was so

hungry all the time. She doesn’t get

enough credit.”

Logan is the youngest of three siblings

in the Hamama family, who live

in Bloomfield Hills. His sister Lauren,

22, is a Michigan State University graduate

and a physician assistant student

at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Brooke, 20, is a senior at MSU. Neither

played competitive sports.

But Logan did—and now he’ll keep

doing it in college, fueled by faith, family

and a heart you can’t measure.


Chaldeanand

Arab American

Tobacco Survey

The Chaldean Community Foundation has partnered with the

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to survey the Chaldean and Arab

community living in Michigan about different health conditions.

The purpose of this survey is to assess knowledge, beliefs,

behavior around tobacco (including Narghile/Hookah)

use among the Arab and Chaldean Americans in Michigan.

Surveys are completely anonymous.

You are eligible to participate in this survey if you:

Are a current resident of Michigan.

Identify as Chaldean or Arab.

18 years of age or older.

Arabic

English

SCAN QR CODE


ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“Perspectives 3” Art Exhibit

Opens in Southfield

Celebrating Chaldean-American creativity

BY SARAH KITTLE

The vibrant artistry of the Chaldean-

American community will be on

full display this summer as the

Perspectives 3 exhibition opens at Southfield

City Hall. Featuring the work of eight

Michigan-based Chaldean-American artists,

the exhibit is a tribute to cultural

identity, creative expression, and the

power of visual storytelling.

This special exhibition, organized in

partnership with the Chaldean Cultural

Center, Chaldean Community Foundation,

and the City of Southfield’s Arts Commission,

brings together a dynamic group of

artists, including Reni Stephan, Sam Selou

Wazi, Emad Tammo, Azhr Matti, Habib

Hannona, Wilson Sarkis, Taif Alheety, and

Sipya Kado.

The artwork represents a wide range

of mediums and themes, blending traditional

Chaldean influences with contemporary

perspectives. One of the featured

pieces is “Hearing the Heartbeat of Babylon”

by Reni Stephan, a striking image that encapsulates

the spirit of the exhibit—celebrating cultural

heritage while forging new artistic paths.

The Southfield Public Arts Commission curates

new exhibits of local artists’ work on a quarterly basis.

“This initiative is something the Commission has

envisioned as a way to network, promote diversity

and inclusion, engage with the community, and support

local artists,” said Delores Flagg, Chairperson of

the Southfield Public Arts Commission.

“We recognize the abundance of talented artists in

Southfield and the metro area. They just need a platform,

and we are providing them with a showcase for

their work. We understand the importance of highlighting

art and artists. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

The city also hosts the Consulate-General of Iraq,

reflecting its significance as a hub for the Iraqi immigrant

community in Metro Detroit.

The exhibit will remain on display through July

31, 2025, allowing visitors ample time to experience

the creativity and stories of the Chaldean-American

community. Those interested in learning more can

call (248) 796-5100 for additional information.

“Hearing the Heart of Babylon” by Reni Stephan

Participating Artists

Azhr Matti was born in northern Iraq, in the village

of Karemlash in Nineveh. Matti studied art at the

City of Mosul Institute of Fine Arts. Matti has a special

interest in history and culture and bases his art

around his culture. “Our culture is our identity, and it

is important not to lose it.” Matti does many different

types of visual art, such as drawing and pottery.

Wilson Sarkis is an American citizen who is part

of the Chaldean Assyrian community in Detroit with

roots in Iraq. For 30 years, Sarkis has worked to make

a name for himself in the photographic world, doing

personal and commercial photography. Corporate

and nonprofit stories are brought to life with a specific

style that stems from his creativity and imagery,

capturing the brand’s essence. Sarkis has been slated

to photograph Iraq for a future documentary.

Reni Stephan was born in Baghdad, Iraq. In

hopes of a brighter future, Stephan’s family made the

decision to leave their home country. With his new

opportunities, Reni discovered a profound love for

drawing. His talent was undeniable, even at an early

age. He attended college for Creative Studies in 2005,

where he furthered his reach and began painting

and sculpting. With each piece he creates, Stephan’s

hope is that he will remain true to his Assyrian Babylonian

heritage and ensure its survival.

Sam Selou Wazi was born in Nineveh, Iraq and

grew up in Baghdad. He left Iraq in 1977 and followed

his passion for art to Europe. Later, he immigrated to

the United States in 1979 to seek a better future and

pursue his dream of attending art school. Although

he felt he wasn’t well-versed in English, he was able

to attend Mott Community College in

Flint, Michigan, where he especially

enjoyed painting and sculpture. He received

a great amount of satisfaction in

continuing his dream within this country’s

wonderful institutions.

Emad Tamo was born in Iraq and

has spent most of his life drawing and

painting. In 2013, Tamo moved to the

United States and visited many museums

and galleries. His first project in the

US was a 26 ft wide mural at the Heller

Elementary School Library. He has participated

in many shows and galleries

and continues to develop his skill and

passion for the arts to this day.

Sipya Kado is an Assyrian visual artist

originally from the historic city of Alqosh,

Iraq. From a young age, Kado developed

a deep passion for capturing moments,

beginning his journey into photography

at age 13 using just an iPhone camera.

In 2014, at the age of 15, Kado moved to

Michigan, where he began to pursue his

passion more seriously. By 2016, he was

professionally photographing weddings,

developing a reputation for his storytelling

approach and creative vision. In 2018,

Kado expanded into videography, particularly

music video directing. Since then,

he has directed and filmed over 50 music

videos, primarily for Assyrian artists, with

several Arabic productions as well.

Taif Alheety was born in Iraq and moved to the

United States in 2014. She studied Interior Design at

the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where her

passion for visual storytelling and spatial aesthetics

was further refined. Over the past decade, Alheety has

devoted herself to painting, building a body of work

that bridges her cultural heritage with contemporary

artistic expression. Through her art, Alheety explores

themes of identity, memory, and transformation. Her

paintings often evoke a sense of emotional depth and

quiet strength, reflecting both her personal journey

and her broader cultural experience. She’s currently

studying drawing and painting.

Habib Hannona’s personal journey is one of determination

and accomplishment. His achievements

in the United States, Kuwait, and Iraq exemplify human

strength, an enduring spirit, survival, and success.

Hannona has had several illustrious careers

- as an author, engineer, linguist, painter, poet, and

historian. Born in Karemlesh, he moved with his

family to Baghdad, where he graduated high school.

Hannona later traveled to West Germany to study architecture,

returning to Iraq in 1964. Eager to further

his education, Hannona took advantage of opportunities

offered by the Jesuit’s at Al-Hikma University in

Baghdad to study civil engineering. Hannona came

to the United States with his family on Christmas Eve

in 1991.


DEPRESSED

CALMNESS

THOUGHTS WORRY CONCERN

SELF-CARE ISSUESSTRESS

POSITIVITY FAMILY

GRIEF GLADNOISE

SICKNESS SADNESS

RESILIENCE

HAPPINESS RELAX AWARENESS

SAFETY MOURN LOSS BALANCE

NEGATIVITYSTRENGTH

STABILITY

WISDOM

CLARITY MADANXIETY

MOTIVATION

COPING

JEALOUSY

CONFUSION

WELLNESS

FRUSTRATION

EXCITEMENT

ACCEPTANCE

TRUST

LIES

DREAMSPEACE

CONNECTION

HOPELESSNESS GUILT

ENVY

OPENNESS

ISOLATION

LOVE

BURN-OUT

EMOTIONAL

VULNERABILITY

JOY

DISAPPOINTMENT

RESENTMENT

REGRET

HUMOR

FEAR

INSECURITY

BOREDOM

MENTAL

PAST

AGE

SELF-ESTEEM CONFIDENCE

REFLECTION

TRAUMA

LONELINESS DRAMA SHAME

OVERWHELMED

WELL-BEING

RECOVERY

MINDFULNESS

PAIN

PLAN

FRUSTRATION

CHILDHOOD

GROWTH

MIND

EMPOWERMENT

THINK

SUPPORT

PROJECT LIGHT

PROJECT LIGHT

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Emotional wellness is the ability to understand your

emotions and adapt to difficulties, stress, or changes

in life. Emotional wellness is important for overall

health and can lead to better physical health, stronger

relationships, and emotional resilience.

Project Light trilingual (Arabic, Chaldean, English)

licensed, professional therapists are here for you and your

best health. Through the process of therapy, you can change

self-destructive behaviors and habits, resolve painful

emotions, improve relationships, and explore issues that

may be hard to face alone.

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 is to improve the quality

of life, no matter the challenge.

We invite you to seek out the Light of Project Light!

Serving Michigan residents ages 13 years and up regardless

of insurance status. Please call to request a Project Light

Intake at (586) 722-7253.

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.


3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310


CULTURE & HISTORY

Erbil Citadel sits on a hill in the historical city center.

Erbil Citadel

A journey through a history of over 6,000 years

BY DR. ADHID MIRI

The city of Erbil in northern Iraq is

truly magnificent in many ways.

Few places on Earth can claim

as much uninterrupted history. Erbil

is one of the world’s oldest continuously

inhabited cities, with settlement

origins dating back at least 8,000 years.

Historians assert that the city has been

permanently inhabited since the 5th

millennium B.C., making it one of humanity’s

most ancient urban centers.

Erbil is widely identified with ancient

Arbela, a significant Assyrian political

and religious hub. The city has

been referenced since pre-Sumerian

times in numerous written sources,

and its name has endured through the

millennia: Irbilum, Urbilum, Urbel,

Arbail, Arbira, Arbela, and today, Erbil

or Arbil. Both written and visual historical

records attest to the deep antiquity

of settlement at the site.

This region gave rise to some of the

most foundational developments in

human history—such as the advent of

farming and the invention of writing. As

a result, the tell (mound) upon which Erbil

stands may contain invaluable clues

about our shared human past—secrets

still buried, waiting to be unearthed.

At the heart of this modern, fastgrowing

city stands the ancient Erbil

Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage

Site. It is recognized as a rare example

of a multilayered archaeological

mound that continues to tower over

the evolving cityscape that surrounds

it. Only by acknowledging the Citadel’s

vast age and the many civilizations

that once called it home can we

begin to appreciate the archaeological

wealth hidden beneath its surface.

Over thousands of years, the Citadel

has been home to the Sumerians,

Akkadians, Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians,

Achaemenids, Parthians,

Greeks, Romans, Sassanids, Muslims,

Timurids, Mongols, Ottomans—and

today, the Kurds. It has witnessed endless

cycles of habitation, conquest, destruction,

and renewal. A true multilayered

archaeological marvel—like a

cultural layer cake—its full richness

remains tantalizingly just out of reach

for the world’s most curious minds.

Ancient History

Erbil was first mentioned in cuneiform

texts during the reign of the Sumerian

King Shulgi around 2000 B.C. The

Babylonians and Assyrians referred to

it as Arba Elu, meaning “Four Gods.”

Remarkably, Erbil is the only city in the

region to have remained continuously

inhabited while retaining variations of

its original name through the centuries.

Over millennia, Erbil came under

the rule of several powerful empires,

including the Sumerians, Assyrians,

Babylonians, Medes, Achaemenids,

and later the Sassanid Persians,

Greeks, Parthians, Arabs, and Ottomans.

By the time Alexander the Great

famously defeated Persian King Darius

III at the Battle of Gaugamela—fought

about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of

the city in 331 B.C.—Erbil was already

considered an ancient metropolis. The

battle is also known as the Battle of Arbela,

after Erbil’s classical name.

The city’s significance and size

continued to grow over time. Arbela

appears in some of the earliest cuneiform

sources, including texts from

Ebla in western Syria dated to around

2300 B.C. During the Neo-Assyrian period,

the city became a key commercial

center and religious hub, home to

a major temple complex dedicated to

the goddess Ishtar of Arbela.

From the 21st century B.C. until the

late 7th century B.C., Erbil was an integral

part of the Assyrian Empire. It

was later captured by the Gutians yet

retained its status as a vital city. During

the Neo-Assyrian era, its name was

recorded as Arbi-Elu—again meaning

“Four Gods”—as well as Urbilim, Arbela,

and Arba-Elu in various sources.

Following the fall of the Assyrian

Empire, Erbil came under the control of


the Medes before being absorbed into

the Achaemenid Empire. After Alexander’s

victory at Gaugamela, the city

became part of his expanding empire.

In the aftermath of Alexander’s

death, his generals—the Diadochi—divided

the empire, and Erbil, referred

to as Arabella or Arbela, became part

of the Hellenistic Seleucid Kingdom.

By the first century B.C., the city lay at

the crossroads of empires once again,

contested between the Romans and

the Parthians, and known during this

period as Arbira.

City of the Four Gods

Erbil, historically known as Arba-Elu—

”City of the Four Gods”—was a major

religious center in the ancient Near

East, rivaling cities like Babylon and

Assur. Its patron deity, Ishtar of Erbil,

was one of the principal goddesses of

Assyria and was frequently mentioned

alongside Ishtar of Nineveh. Her sanctuary

in Erbil was restored by several

Assyrian kings, including Shalmaneser

I, Esarhaddon, and Ashurbanipal. Inscriptions

from Ashurbanipal recount

oracular dreams attributed to the goddess.

The king likely held court in Erbil

during part of his reign and received envoys

there, including a delegation from

Rusa II of Urartu following the defeat of

the Elamite king Teumman.

By the first century A.D., Arbela (Arba-Elu)

had become a significant Christian

center. The city was among the

earliest to embrace Christianity, and its

legacy endures today, with large Christian

communities still residing in Erbil

and surrounding districts like Ankawa.

Under the Sassanid Empire, Erbil

served as the seat of a satrap, or provincial

governor. In 340 A.D., Christians

in the city faced persecution,

and in 358, the governor himself was

martyred after converting to Christianity.

Around 521, the School of Nisibis

established a Nestorian educational

institution in Erbil. During this period,

the city also hosted a Zoroastrian fire

temple, reflecting its religious diversity.

Erbil remained an important Christian

hub until the ninth century, when

the bishopric relocated to Mosul.

Although Muslim forces conquered

Erbil in the seventh century, the city

retained its religious and cultural diversity

for centuries. It wasn’t until

the late 14th century, when the Turkic

conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) razed

the city, that Islam became dominant.

By the 1200s, Erbil had already been

eclipsed economically by Mosul, about

50 miles to the west, though it continued

to serve as a key regional center.

The Mongols launched their first assault

on Erbil in 1237, sacking the lower

town but failing to seize the citadel due

to the approach of a caliphal army. Following

the fall of Baghdad in 1258, Hülegü

Khan returned to Erbil and captured

the citadel after a six-month siege. He

appointed a Christian governor, prompting

an influx of Jacobite Christians who

were permitted to build a church.

However, tolerance gave way to

persecution. In 1295, under the Oirat

amir Nauruz, systematic attacks on

Christians, Jews, and Buddhists began

across the Ilkhanate. During the

reign of Ilkhan Öljeitü, some Christians

in Erbil took refuge in the citadel

to escape renewed persecution.

In spring 1310, the regional governor

(Malek), aided by Kurdish forces, laid

siege to the citadel. Despite the efforts

of Mar Yahballaha to prevent bloodshed,

the fortress fell on July 1, 1310.

All the defenders were massacred,

along with the Christian population

of the lower town.

Ancient Wonder

The Citadel of Erbil is a classic fortified

settlement perched atop an eggshaped

mound known as a tell—a

steep, man-made hill created over

thousands of years by successive layers

of human habitation. In archaeology,

a tell forms when communities

continually rebuild atop the ruins of

earlier structures. This process has

preserved Erbil’s 8,000-year history.

The citadel’s towering walls ring

the top of a mound that rises up to

30 meters (nearly 100 feet) above the

modern city. Visible from miles away,

Aerial view of Erbil Citadel showing its placement in the heart of the city.

it is one of the most dramatic sights in

the Middle East—a welcome landmark

for Silk Road merchants who passed

through the region for 1,500 years.

Almost perfectly circular, the citadel

has an average diameter of about

400 meters and covers 102,000 square

meters. Pottery shards scattered on its

steep slopes indicate Neolithic styles,

though no conclusive dating has been

done. However, some pottery fragments

resemble those of the Chalcolithic

period and the Uruk and Ubaid

cultures of prehistoric Mesopotamia.

For these reasons, Erbil Citadel has

often been called the “world’s oldest

continuously inhabited site.” On April

2, 2019, NASA recognized it as potentially

the oldest continuously occupied

human settlement on Earth.

Most of the citadel’s visible structures

date to more recent times, particularly

the Ottoman era. Viewed

from above, the settlement features

a unique radial design, a hallmark of

late Ottoman urban planning. While

the buildings today are just a few

centuries old, the land beneath them

holds secrets from antiquity.

Locals refer to the citadel as Qelay

or Qala’t, meaning “castle.” Surrounded

by the sprawling city of Erbil,

its height and grandeur can appear

diminished, yet it remains a central

symbol of local identity. Within the citadel

are approximately 322 buildings,

closely packed and separated by a web

of narrow streets. The area includes

palaces, four mosques with towering

minarets, and several Ottoman-era

bathhouses.

Although the buildings mostly date

from the 18th century, the street layout

reflects the classic Ottoman style, with

winding lanes that all converge at a

ERBIL CITADEL

continued on page 40

PHOTO BY JAN KURDISTANI VIA WIKIPEDIA


CULTURE & HISTORY

ERBIL CITADEL

continued from page 39

single entrance: the Grand Gate. This

main gateway is flanked by two steep

driveways, forming the only access

point into the mound.

In the 20th century, the citadel underwent

significant changes. Urban

development led to the demolition of

houses and public structures. In 1924, a

15-meter (49-foot) steel water tank was

installed to provide purified water, but

it inadvertently caused damage to building

foundations due to water seepage.

As the modern city expanded,

many residents left the citadel in favor

of larger homes with gardens. By

1960, a mosque, a school, and over 60

homes were demolished to make way

for a road linking the southern and

northern gates. Restoration efforts began

in 1979 on parts of the southern

gate and the public bath (hammam).

In 2007, the remaining 840 families

living in the citadel were relocated as

part of a major restoration and preservation

initiative. They were compensated

financially, though one family

was allowed to remain to maintain the

site’s claim of continuous habitation.

Government plans call for 50 families

to eventually return once the citadel is

fully restored.

Today, the citadel contains around

500 buildings, many showcasing traditional

architectural techniques. Yet

it is what lies beneath the surface that

may hold the most ancient treasures.

The citadel is divided into three main

quarters: Topkhana, Saray, and Takia.

A walk through the area offers

panoramic views of Erbil’s central

square—an ideal spot for photography

and soaking in history.

Restoration of the Citadel

Erbil’s Citadel holds over 8,000 years

of history. Over the centuries, its urban

structure has been significantly altered,

with numerous houses and public

buildings destroyed. Yet in many

ways, the Citadel is still growing. Like

all tell mounds, continued habitation

contributes to its size, age, and archaeological

importance.

Today, the Citadel is in a fragile

state. Many of its buildings and walls

are in urgent need of repair and restoration.

Several homes lack basic

infrastructure, including proper drainage,

electricity, and sanitation. During

the 20th century, modern streets were

added atop the tell to accommodate

car traffic—changes that further damaged

this ancient site.

In 2007, the High Commission for

Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR)

was established to oversee the site’s

preservation. That same year, all but

one family were relocated to make

way for a major restoration project.

Since then, international archaeological

teams have collaborated with local

specialists to carry out research and

conservation work.

In 2010, Iraq added the Citadel to

its tentative list for UNESCO World

Heritage designation, backed by over

Erbil Qala’a Square

$13 million in public funding. UNESCO

and other international partners have

since worked with the HCECR to create

a comprehensive preservation and rehabilitation

plan.

Restoration has been slow. Decades

of civil unrest took a heavy toll

on the ancient buildings, many of

which still lack electricity and basic

utilities. But recent stability in the region

has created new opportunities to

protect and restore the site.

Today, the Citadel is uninhabited,

though museums and souvenir shops

have opened. You can even find coffee

cups bearing Saddam Hussein’s face,

alongside carpets and fridge magnets.

In 2004, the Kurdish Textile Museum

opened in a beautifully restored mansion

in the southeast quarter of the Citadel.

Erbil Today

Each year, millions of tourists—mostly

from central and southern Iraq—flock

to the Kurdistan Region, with Erbil as

their top destination. The region, an

autonomous zone within Iraq, has its

own government and is home to Kurds,

Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, Chaldeans

and other ethnic groups. Today, Erbil is

predominantly Kurdish and known for

its rich cultural identity, stunning landscapes,

and warm hospitality.

With a population of around half

a million, Erbil is Iraq’s fourth-largest

city and a major hub of Kurdish life.

The densely built city radiates outward

from its crown jewel—the Citadel. This

towering, walled settlement spans

over 10 hectares (about 25 acres), with

hundreds of structures closely packed

within its ancient walls.

The Citadel is a must-see for any

visitor to Erbil. Just below it lies the

Qaysaria Market—a maze of shops,

stalls, and narrow passageways offering

a vivid glimpse into local life.

Wandering through the Citadel’s

winding alleys is an adventure. You’ll

find cafes, small restaurants, and welcoming

locals. Merchants are friendly

and never pushy, making for a relaxed

shopping experience.

The best times to visit Erbil are

from February to May and September

to December, when the weather is

mild and ideal for walking.

Grand Qaysaria Bazaar

The Qaysaria Quarter and its souk,

just across the street from the Citadel,

is more than a marketplace—it’s

a living time capsule. As you stroll

through its narrow lanes, you feel

less like a tourist and more like a time

traveler.

Dating back to the Ottoman period,

the Qaysaria Bazaar is the perfect

place to shop for traditional Kurdish

clothing, jewelry, and handmade

crafts. You’ll also find antiques, including

old Iraqi currency—a favorite

souvenir for many visitors.

Like many Middle Eastern markets,

Qaysaria blends the old with the new.

Cellphones and gaming sets sit alongside

silver jewelry, daggers, books,

embroidered cushions, instruments,

lamps, carpets, and fresh produce.

Local food vendors serve up kebabs,

fresh juices, and traditional sweets.

Gift shops sell beautiful keepsakes,

from Kurdish rugs and Persian

carpets to jewelry and traditional

hats. Exploring the Citadel, the bazaar,

and the surrounding markets

can easily fill an entire day.

For a break, head to the Castle Café,

a whimsical spot that feels straight out

of Aladdin. For a more traditional experience,

visit Mam Khalil, one of the

city’s oldest tea cafes. Covered in vintage

photographs, Mam Khalil is a beloved

hangout near the bazaar.

Just around the corner, you’ll find

the jamadani shop, which sells traditional

Kurdish scarves with designs that

vary across the region. Nearby is the

klash workshop, where artisans craft

handmade Kurdish shoes known as

gewa. Locals are generally welcoming to

photographers, making this a dream for

street photography enthusiasts.

Concluding Thoughts

Erbil’s strategic position—between the

Zab and Zab Minor rivers, tributaries

of the Tigris—has long made it a vital

crossroads of civilizations. It also sits

at the gateway to the Taurus-Zagros

mountain range.

Yet like many ancient sites in Iraq,

the Citadel has often been co-opted

by modern political narratives. History

and archaeology, however, speak

for themselves. Erbil’s claim as the

world’s oldest continuously inhabited

city is hard to dispute.

There’s still much to uncover beneath

the surface of the Citadel. Someday,

deeper excavations may reveal

more secrets hidden in the layers of

this ancient mound—echoes from the

dawn of human civilization.

SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA, UNESCO, DR MÓNICA PALMERO

FERNÁNDEZ, ERBIL CITADEL (© MISSIONE ARCHEOLOGI-

CA ITALIANA NEL KURDISTAN IRACHENO/S. MANCINI)


Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow and Dana Cimone as Dorothy in The Wiz First National Tour 2025 © Photo by Jeremy Daniel

JUNE 17-29 • FISHER THEATRE

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IN MEMORIAM

Romel Casab

Nov. 22, 1961 -

April 18, 2025

Ron Riyadh

Kasshamoun

July 21, 1958 -

April 18, 2025

Habiba Shikwana

May 12, 1932 -

April 19, 2025

Thuraya Ayar

July 1, 1930 -

April 20, 2025

Awatif Youno

July 1, 1944 -

April 20, 2025

Souad Rayis

April 4, 1954 -

April 22, 2025

Lilo Sito

July 1, 1954 -

April 22, 2025

Harbiya Esho

Ablahad

July 1, 1947 -

April 24, 2025

Amira Hello Dally

July 1, 1938 -

April 24, 2025

Muaid Elias

Stephan

May 22, 1945 -

April 24, 2025

Faiza Haisha

Jun 20, 1942 -

April 25, 2025

Raad Jirjees Abbo

October 22, 1964 -

April 27, 2025

Faraj Narra

May 8, 1950 -

April 27, 2025

Badria Hami

Kiryakoza

April 1, 1941 -

April 28, 2025

Manuail Razooqi

Poota

Aug 20, 1950 -

April 30, 2025

Abed Bahnan

Sako

July 1, 1940 -

April 30, 2025

Emmanuel Danial

April 4, 1943 -

May 1, 2025

Mohammad A

Moradi

Feb 20, 1953 -

May 2, 2025

Nahi Saleem Eliya

April 25, 1944 -

May 3, 2025

Ibtisam Georges

Yakona

April 29, 1960 -

May 3, 2025

Saad Zohair

Makdisi

May 28, 1977 -

May 4, 2025

Roger A. Saroki

Aug 9, 1953 -

May 4, 2025

Samir Abona

March 19, 1975 -

May 5, 2025

Sarmad Sameer

Akoobi

October 4, 1982 -

May 5, 2025

Ibtisam Wadi Zora

Jan 17, 1941 -

May 5, 2025

Basil Abou Ashaka

Jul 1, 1956 -

May 5, 2025

Sirano Bashar

Danou

Jan 20, 2003 -

May 5, 2025

Wadia Halabou

Oct 20, 1936 -

May 5, 2025

Adnan Yacoub

Hanna

Jan 15, 1937 -

May 7, 2025

Joylan Naisan

Matti

July 1, 1939 -

May 7, 2025

Jamil H. Saba

Dec. 27, 1941 -

May 7, 2025

Janette

Aug 8, 1944 -

May 9, 2025

Warina Ibrahim

Osachi

July 1, 1940 -

May 9, 2025

John Hirmiz Somo

Aug 1, 1956 -

May 9, 2025

Rejena Kashat

Khemmoro

Jul 1, 1929 -

May 11, 2025

Kamil Kiryakos

Mikha

Jul 16, 1950 -

May 11, 2025

Salima Sharrak

Dec 3, 1936 -

May 11, 2025

Warina Gorial

Denkha

Jul 1, 1932 -

May 13, 2025

Mikhail Yalda

Soulaka

Jul 1, 1938 -

May 13, 2025

Layla Salman

July 1, 1936 -

May 14, 2025


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For all your business and family

immigration needs

3601 15 Mile Road

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TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

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FAX: (586) 722-7257

phone: 248-851-8600 fax: 248-851-1348

maryana.shabo@chaldeanfoundation.org

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101


Farmington Hills, MI 48334

ELIAS KATTOULA

CAREER SERVICES MANAGER

3601 15 Mile Road


TEL: (586) 722-7253

FAX: (586) 722-7257

elias.kattoula@chaldeanfoundation.org


CAMARON M. VOYLES

Immigration Attorney & Partner

DIANE E. HUNT

Immigration Attorney & Partner

(248) 406-4100

www.antone.com | law@antone.com

31555 West 14 Mile Road, Suite 100

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MARIAM ABDALLA

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mariam.abdalla@chaldeanfoundation.org

stacy.bahri@chaldeanfoundation.org



IMMIGRANT MONTH

continued from page 32

The American?

Recently, reports emerged that the

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

is reviewing a pitch for a reality

TV show titled The American.

In the proposed series, pitched by

Rob Worsoff (Duck Dynasty, Dating

Naked) migrants would compete in

American-themed challenges—such

as pizza-making in New York or car

assembly in Detroit—for a chance to

fast-track citizenship.

While unapproved, the pilot has

sparked debate around ethics, entertainment,

and immigration policy.

DHS confirmed it is one of hundreds

of pitches currently under review.

Honoring Our Shared Story

For Sean and Yasser, the meaning of

“home” has evolved. For Sean, it once

meant a large house in Telkaif. Now,

it’s his wife, children, and extended

family. For Yasser, “home” used to be

Aleppo—its streets, family meals, and

memories. But after being forced to

leave, he realized home isn’t always a

place you can return to.

Today, home is defined more by

people, values, and a sense of belonging.

It’s where one can speak freely,

live meaningfully, and be accepted.

It’s a space to give and receive care.

“In many ways, America has become

a new kind of home,” Yasser

said. “A place of refuge, opportunity,

and new beginnings. But Syria will always

live in my heart—in my language,

in my memories, and in my hopes for

the future. Home is both a wound and

a source of strength. It’s something I

carry with me and continue to build

every day.”

Immigrant Heritage Month is

not just about where someone came

from—it’s about what they bring to the

American story. From business and innovation

to art, education, and faith,

immigrants have left an indelible mark

on every corner of American life. This

month invites all of us to reflect on

those contributions—and to ask how

we can be better neighbors, allies, and

storytellers.


EVENTS

Chaldean Catholic

Church Book Launch

Author Jacob Bacall hosted a special book launch event on

Thursday evening, May 15, at Shenandoah Country Club to celebrate

his new book, Chaldean Catholic Church, co-written by

Bishop Bawai Soro. The book celebrates the rich history and

legacy of the Chaldean Catholic Church and marks Mother of

God Church’s 75th anniversary. It also commemorates the historic

2021 visit of Pope Francis to Iraq, a moment of deep significance

for Chaldean Catholics worldwide. Attendees had the

opportunity to meet the author, purchase the newly released

book, and acquire limited-edition commemorative coins designed

to honor these important milestones. The evening

brought together members of the community for a celebration

of faith, culture, and heritage, highlighting the enduring

contributions of the Chaldean Church and its people. Proceeds

from the book sale will be donated to the Mar Ibrahim Library.

Clockwise

from top left:

Author Jacob

Bacall addresses

attendees at the

book launch event.

Co-author Bishop

Bawai Soro speaks

about the history of

the Church.

Jacob signs autographs

for excited

attendees.

Jacob’s granddaughter

proudly

introduces her

grandfather.

Jacob sharing a

moment with Dr.

Adhid Miri. Guests

line up to get their

books signed.


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EVENTS

22nd Annual

CACC Awards

Dinner

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce

(CACC) hosted its 22nd Annual

Awards Dinner May 1, celebrating a year

of business achievement, community

leadership, and cultural pride. The event

took place at Shenandoah Country Club,

beginning at 6:00pm with a lively cocktail

and hors d’oeuvres reception that welcomed

hundreds of distinguished guests.

A highlight of the evening was the

presentation of the Businessperson of the

Year award to Ron Acho, whose professional

excellence and dedication to the

community earned him the Chamber’s

highest recognition.

Following the main program, guests enjoyed

an Afterglow in the Gallery—a festive

continuation featuring cocktails, gourmet

coffee, cigars from Wild Bill’s Tobacco, desserts

such as frozen yogurt and bite-sized

sweets, and a relaxing experience at the

Bank of Ann Arbor Scotch Bar & Lounge.

The evening was made possible thanks

to the generous support of CACC’s event

sponsors, including presenting sponsor

Huntington Bank and signature sponsors

Citizens State Bank, Swift Home Loans

and Yaldo Investment Group.

Counterclockwise from top left:

1. The ballroom is filling up in anticipation

of the dinner and program.

2. The 22nd Annual Businessperson

of the Year, Ron Acho with his lovely

wife Rita.

3. Congressman John James checks

in and is greeted by West Bloomfield

Trustee Jim Manna.

4. House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri is

recognized as one of the many dignitaries

in attendance.

5. The Afterglow is where it’s at; representatives

of Comerica Bank enjoy the

photobooth provided by Elia Group.

6. The Awards Dinner honored Ron Acho

and included giveaways such as limoncello

sponsored by Gardner White and cake

pops sponsored by Jonna Construction.

7. Heavenly Cannoli was just one of many

sweet desserts offered at the Afterglow.


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JUNE 2025

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