Remembering the Unspoken
Genocide gallery to open in the new Cultural Center
By Adhid Miri, PhD
The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) is expanding to reach across Woodward and establish a presence with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) on Oakland County’s west side. Formerly known as The Corners, the property at Walnut Lake and Inkster Roads next to Market Square is being transformed into the new Chaldean Community Center, housing the CACC and administrative offices for the Foundation. Chamber staff has been calling it “CCF West” for a while.
The new center will serve as a hub for a comprehensive range of community resources, including a business incubator, a gymnasium, television and radio studio, classrooms, a demonstration kitchen, the Bishop Ibrahim Library (housing a treasure trove of cultural archives), a theater for educational forums and events, and an expanded Chaldean Cultural Center, which will grow as a museum for the Chaldean people.
The Chaldean Cultural Center: Expanding Horizons
The Chaldean Cultural Center, currently at Shenandoah Country Club, will move to the new facility and expand in both size and scope. The museum will consist of six galleries:
• Ancient Mesopotamia
• Faith and Church
• Village Life
• Genocide
• Journey to North America
• Chaldeans Today
A major focus will be the genocide stories of the past century, particularly the 21st century, with a spotlight on the post-2003 ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and militia atrocities. A critical part of this endeavor is securing original artifacts from Iraq to tell the genocide story in an authentic and impactful way.
The genocide section will commemorate and chronicle the tragic events of the ISIS years, highlighting the persecution and martyrdom of Christians in Iraq. This part of the museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the genocidal crimes against humanity that threaten the survival of Iraq’s Christian minority.
Mission Statement
Museums serve as crucial tools for societies confronting the aftermath of genocide. They combine educational narratives with memory to teach vital lessons about the past. The Genocide Gallery aims to document, study, and interpret the ISIS genocide of the 21st century, preserving the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Christians displaced, killed, or forced to flee Iraq since 2003. Other minorities, such as Yazidis and Mandeans, were also targeted for destruction based on their ethnic, religious, and national identities.
The museum’s mission is to spread awareness about this unparalleled tragedy, encourage reflection on moral and spiritual questions raised by the events, and inspire visitors to take responsibility for preventing future genocides.
Genocide: A Dark Chapter in History
Genocide is one of humanity’s gravest crimes. Defined as mass extermination of a group based on race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality, it is distinguished by the intention to destroy a group entirely. The term “genocide” was coined in 1944 and has since been used to describe atrocities like those committed by ISIS against Christians, Yazidis, and Mandeans in Iraq and Syria. In 2016, the U.S. accused ISIS of carrying out genocide against these groups.
Our museum will draw attention to ISIS’s campaign of terror from 2014 to 2017, when vast atrocities were committed against minority groups in Iraq. The exhibit will explore the devastation of towns, the destruction of communities, and the human toll of this genocidal campaign.
Why a Genocide Museum?
The museum’s primary goal is to broaden public understanding of the ISIS genocide through exhibitions, research, and preservation of artifacts. It will also host annual Days of Remembrance, distribute educational materials, and engage the public with programming aimed at preventing future atrocities. The museum will be a key player in ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten and that the atrocities are not repeated.
Education: A Path to Reconciliation
Memorial museums are vital for societies addressing genocide. They foster dialogue, counter genocide denial, and promote reconciliation. The Genocide Gallery will educate the public about the ISIS genocide and its continuing impact. Visitors will learn about the culture and life of the victims, the communities affected, and the continuing consequences of the atrocities.
The Continuing Threat
Christianity in Iraq, along with other religious minorities, faces the threat of extinction, with the roots of Christianity in Iraq dating back to the earliest days of the faith. The violence and persecution committed by ISIS have contributed to the world’s largest refugee crisis since World War II and the Holocaust. The museum’s mission is to highlight the ongoing struggle and to advocate for a comprehensive plan to study and address the persecution of Iraq’s Christian communities.
Martyrs Memorial Wall
The Chaldean Catholic Church is famously called, “The Church of the Martyrs,” because so many of their members have been killed for their faith. The Martyrs Memorial Wall will honor those who perished during the ISIS genocide. It will include the names, photos, and artifacts of the victims. The wall will serve as a powerful reminder of the lives lost and the legacy of the Chaldean people.
Proposed Exhibits
The museum will feature several permanent exhibits, including:
• Iraqi Minorities and the Genocide
• Path to Genocide
• First-Hand Witnesses
• Stories to Remember
• Images of Destroyed Towns and Churches
These exhibits will be enhanced with original artifacts from the Nineveh Plain region and will include multimedia elements such as video footage, touchscreen platforms, and interactive displays.
Obtaining Artifacts and Original Material
Artifacts for the genocide exhibit will be sourced from the Nineveh Plain region, including churches, villages, and museums. Key partners include the Chaldean Bishop of Mosul and representatives from the Iraqi government, as well as international organizations.
Obtaining approval from the Iraqi government, local bishops, and the Ministry of Antiquities is essential for shipping artifacts from Iraq to the United States. This process will require collaboration with key local and international partners.
In-Country Partners
• Chaldean Bishop of Mosul & Aqra, Michael Najib Michael
• Syriac Orthodox Bishop Mor Nicodemus Matti Sharaf
• Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda
• Mayors of Tel Kaif, Qaraqosh, Ankawa, and Alqoush
Challenges and Support
Key challenges in this project include securing ISIS artifacts, navigating legal and logistical hurdles, and ensuring the preservation of historical sites in Iraq. Overcoming these obstacles requires cooperation from governments, local communities, and international organizations.
Funding for the museum will be sourced through donations, grants, and other forms of support. The project will also involve detailed cost planning for the acquisition, shipment, and installation of artifacts.
Final Words
We need your help. The genocide section of the museum is in its early stages, and we are seeking contributions from survivors, witnesses, and community members. If you have stories, material, or artifacts that can help preserve the history of the genocide, we encourage you to share them with us. Your contributions are vital to the success of this project, and together, we can ensure that the memory of the victims lives on.
To share your stories or learn more about the museum, visit our social media pages or email edit@chaldeannews.com.