The Yazidi (or Yezidi) are a Kurmanji-speaking minority group who are indigenous to northern Iraq, Kurdistan, and a geographical region in Western Asia. This includes parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Most Yazidis remaining in the Middle East today live in Iraq, primarily in the governorate of Nineveh and Duhok.
Read MoreChaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil in Iraq says about 9,000 Christian families have returned to their homes on the Nineveh Plains after fleeing a decade ago, when ISIS took the region. In June 2014, the Islamist extremist group captured Mosul and the villages to the north and east of the city, prompting a mass exodus of Christians and Yazidis. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Warda noted the occupation of Mosul left other Christians on the Nineveh Plains vulnerable, and on August 6, 2014, prompted by further ISIS aggression, the entire Christian population fled to Iraqi Kurdistan.
Read More“في العراق، حتى الوشم له ماضي وحاضر متضاربان” هكذا يبدأ مقال الكاتب أحمد ويندي الصادر عام 2023 بعنوان “وشم جداتنا”، إذ كان لدى كلا جدتيه وشم تقليدي، بينما لم يكن لدى والدته – المولودة في الستينيات – أي وشم، ومن الطبيعي أن هذا دعا الى فضوله وتساؤلاته؟ ويقال إن كلمة “وشم” نشأت من الكلمة التاهيتية “تاتو”، والتي تعني وضع علامة على شيء ما.
Read MoreMiles for Smiles is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading smiles and creating unforgettable memories for children battling cancer. Select individuals get the chance to feel the rush of the racetrack, surrounded by supportive friends, family, and a community united in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Read MoreThe presence of tech, specifically Lawrence Technological University (LTU), is growing in Iraq. On a recent visit to the metro Detroit area, the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, had the opportunity to speak with LTU’s president Dr. Tarek Sobh about the university’s agreement with the American University in Baghdad (AUIB).
Read More“In Iraq, even tattoos have a conflicted past and present.” So starts a 2023 essay by Ahmed Windi titled, “Our Inked Grandmothers.” His two grandmothers had traditional tattoos and his mother – born in the 1960s – did not. So naturally, he had questions
Read MoreMeet Sterling Heights’ Chaldean Police Officers: Over the last few decades, Sterling Heights has become the capital of metro Detroit’s Chaldean community. According to data from the 2010s, around 25% of the population in Michigan’s fourth largest city, more than 30,000 people, is Chaldean or Iraqi. Almost certainly, that number is higher now. In general, the city is known for its diverse population and immigrant communities.
Read MoreIn celebration of the 21st Annual Awards Dinner hosted by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) in Michigan, the organizers invited several dignitaries from Iraq. Among those that accepted and made the trip to the U.S. were the mayors of the Districts of Qaraqosh/Nineveh, Mayor Issam Behnam Matti, and Ankawa/Erbil, Mayor Ramy Noori Syawish.
Read MoreIn 2018, newly legalized sports gambling exploded across the country. With 34 states legalizing wagering on athletic contests, companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel swooped in with easy-to-use apps, glitzy ads and magnetic celebrity endorsements. Tie-ins with professional sports teams, leagues, and networks helped further move sports betting out of the shady world of bookies and loan sharks and onto a bright playground of easy winnings, fun gimmick bets, and enticing incentives.
Read MoreWhen Chaldeans first came to Detroit, they struggled to integrate into American society and learn the language. They had their own unique culture, one that was different from that of other Americans and most immigrants. At first, this was a point of pride for Chaldeans. Their faith, family values, tight-knit community, and work ethic ultimately led to success in a foreign land. Chaldeans raised their families in the same traditions that they came from and passed down their culture successfully.
Read MoreWe often hear about “the beloved’s hand is an Al-Khaza’aliyah’s hand,” especially in old classic folklore songs. Why this proverb or song, and what was a specific story behind it or reason for naming it? Why did poets and artists sing it and why did they do so?
Read MoreThe Chaldean News and Chaldean Community Foundation hosted a “Culture Night” to celebrate and showcase Chaldean culture. More than 200 people attended the event, many of whom were not Chaldean. The guests enjoyed traditional Chaldean foods like potato chop and geymar, among others. The event marked the end of a months-long grant series called the Chaldean Story. Last year, the Chaldean News received a grant from Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Stories, which is meant to highlight untold stories in Michigan.
Read MoreIn the vast landscape of America’s cultural mosaic, the Chaldean community stands out not only for its rich heritage but also for its remarkable closeness. Nestled within the broader spectrum of Iraqi Americans, which include Assyrians and Syriacs, Chaldean Americans have cultivated a distinct identity characterized by a deep sense of unity and familial ties.
Read More“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This quote attributed to French writer Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr in 1849 still holds true 175 years later. As we look back on the span of stories gracing the Chaldean News covers in the month of June, many of these topics are still at the forefront of discussion in the community.
Read MoreChaldean News staff Dr. Adhid Miri was invited to speak at a “Storytellers on Sunday” event held May 19 at Palmer Park Log Cabin. The cultural neighborhood event included a book swap and discussion (stories) with four guests, including Dr. Miri.
Read MoreIn honor of Father’s Day, we celebrate the role that dads play in our families. They carry us daily. Beyond providing financial support, they offer guidance, support, and wisdom, shaping our values, beliefs, and aspirations. Fathers often serve as role models, demonstrating strength, resilience, and integrity, while also fostering a sense of security and stability within the family unit.
Read MoreCCF’s Strategic Initiatives Manager, Stacy Bahri, was nominated for the 2024 Athena International 2024 Leadership Award. Stacy’s journey started as a case worker, where she passionately advocated for her clients, helping them acculturate into American society. Today, she manages community outreach and strategic initiatives for the organization.
Read MoreNuman Kurtulmus, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, sent a letter to Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, condemning the decision to acknowledge the Assyrian and Chaldean Genocide by the Ottoman Empire adopted by the French National Assembly on April 29.
Read MoreThe Macomb Student/Staff Wellbeing, Emotional Learning Launch (M-SWELL) team had the opportunity to visit the Chaldean Community Foundation last month to get an overview of programming and resources available to the greater community.
Read MoreThe CCF’s Balance and Breathe Program is now underway! The program is catered to older adults and caregivers, giving them the opportunity to learn chair yoga and Zumba exercises. The program is in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of North America’s Center on Holocaust Survivor Care Institute on Aging and Trauma.
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