On the Record
A conversation with former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al-Halbousi
By Adhid Miri, PhD
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, the Chaldean Community Foundation hosted former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al-Halbousi at the Chaldean Cultural Center at Shenandoah Club.
Upon arrival, Speaker Al-Halbousi was warmly welcomed by Chaldean Community Foundation President Martin Manna, Chamber Counsel Mike Sarafa, and other community members. Together, they addressed the ongoing challenges facing Chaldeans and other Christians in Iraq.
I was honored to conduct a special interview with Speaker Al-Halbousi during the visit. The discussion focused on building bridges of cooperation, establishing support foundations, creating spaces for open dialogue, and determining the next steps to confront Iraq’s current challenges. The conversation also explored how to strengthen relations between Iraq and the Iraqi diaspora in the U.S.
Additionally, the conversation touched on supporting efforts to rectify past mistakes and help advance Iraq’s institutions toward higher standards of science and development to align with more scientifically and socially advanced countries.
It was noted that, to this day, there has been little progress in establishing practical cooperation or creating work mechanisms for the proposed programs. This lack of movement is a source of concern, as previous visits by Iraqi officials to the U.S. have often been marked by a lack of follow-through.
During the meeting with Speaker Al-Halbousi, we highlighted the strength, stability, and history of the Iraqi Chaldean community in the U.S., as well as its economic and political impact. We also discussed the activities of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) and the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF), both of which play key roles in building bridges with Iraq.
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, founded in 2003, supports economic growth and business owners within its membership and represents over 5,000 companies across various industries. Recent studies show that Michigan is home to approximately 200,000 Iraqi Chaldeans, who contribute nearly $18 billion annually to the state’s economy.
To further strengthen ties with Iraq, CCF and CACC are contributing to initiatives aimed at re-establishing the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and collaborating with the American University of Iraq in Baghdad (AUIB). Our goal is to enhance academic relations, develop partnerships between Michigan and Iraq’s universities, and establish a center for business development studies.
We discussed the importance of academic, educational, and cultural pathways to success, emphasizing the role of education in advancing both culture and institutions that can uplift citizens and build the homeland.
We expressed our belief that the Iraqi bridge we are building together will not crack. We hope that this new initiative will succeed and that promising ideas will not dissipate in an atmosphere of neglect and disinterest. We pledged to work together to strengthen our bonds and create a brighter future for Iraq.
The following key priorities were identified for cooperation with Anbar Governorate and Speaker Al-Halbousi’s office:
• Partnerships Between Chambers of Commerce: Strengthening trade relations between our organizations.
• Developing Partnerships with American Companies: Exchanging expertise and enhancing economic relations.
• Twinning Cities: Exploring mutual partnerships between Michigan, Detroit, Anbar, and Ramadi to foster international relations.
• Workforce Training: Connecting workforce development programs to enhance business skills and support entrepreneurship.
• Youth and Volunteer Programs: Facilitating cultural exchanges to build mutual understanding and cooperation.
• Public Relations Campaigns: Promoting media best practices and cultural awareness between our communities.
• Educational Partnerships: Collaborating with universities and hospitals in Michigan and Anbar to upgrade Iraq’s educational and healthcare systems.
• Health Sector Cooperation: Establishing exchange programs for healthcare professionals between Michigan and Anbar.
• Citizen Diplomacy: Engaging individuals from both sides to strengthen relations and exchange knowledge.
Speaker Al-Halbousi showed great interest in these initiatives, stating: “The majority of the Iraqi community in the United States lives in Michigan, so it was a priority for me to meet with them. This is my first visit to this city and this magnificent headquarters, which serves as a home for all Iraqis. The ‘components’ of Iraq, including Christians, are an integral part of our people and have contributed to building the Iraqi state for centuries. They remain active in Iraq today.”
He continued, “Since my arrival in Parliament, I’ve been aware of the challenges faced by Christians, Yazidis, Mandaeans, and other minorities. Diversity is a gain for countries, and I’ve seen this firsthand in Nineveh, where people celebrate cultural diversity. I hope that the contributions of these components are recognized and that their rights are fully granted.”
He also reassured the community, saying, “Your place in Iraq is safe, your property is safe, and we are waiting for the conditions to improve so that all Iraqis can return home. The country will not stabilize until all its citizens contribute to it.”
Al-Halbousi encouraged the Iraqi community in the U.S. to remain united in their votes and political engagement. “You have shown your power in the American elections, and your unified voice is being heard by U.S. administrations. The more united you are, the more influence you will have.”
The visit concluded with a dinner and dialogue session with community leaders, marking a significant and positive occasion for all participants.