There is a fear of the unknown—especially when it comes to raising children, and particularly when parents sense that something may be different. That is how Zena Agoubi felt when her oldest child, Owen, was not progressing past 18 months. At around two years old, she enrolled him in speech therapy because he was not really talking. The doctor suggested it could be a sign of autism and urged her to make an appointment quickly, given the long wait lists. Agoubi did just that—”just in case”—knowing her son would not get the help he needed if he did not have an official diagnosis.
Chaldean American physician and mother Dr. Mariam Shapera never set out to write children’s books—but her love of storytelling, combined with her experiences as a parent and physician, inspired her to create stories that celebrate the unique strengths of autistic children. Writing was always something she enjoyed, but her career first took her down a very different path. “As a teenager, I always loved writing fiction and poetry,” she says.
Imagine stepping into a place where you can do it all: explore the town center of ancient Babylon; touch the stele bearing Hammurabi’s Code of Laws; enter a sacred space and hear Aramaic spoken just as it was in the days of Christ; visit a Chaldean village in the Nineveh Plain in the early 20th century; travel to America and glimpse the New York skyline as early pioneers saw it from Ellis Island; feel the pride of standing inside a 1930s grocery store as a Chaldean entrepreneur builds his place in Detroit’s business community; and discover how Chaldeans today are expanding their professional horizons. How is all this possible? Welcome to the Chaldean Cultural Center and its Museum.
Everyone knows the goal of going to college and earning a degree is to gain the education needed to find a job after graduation. One key part of that journey is securing an internship. Internships help students build connections in the workforce, gain professional experience in their chosen field, and strengthen their resumes. They’re not just important—they’ve become almost essential to the college experience, especially in today’s competitive job market.
In West Bloomfield, Michigan, a city home to one of the largest Chaldean populations in the country, Officer Zena Dailey occupies a unique position. She is the only female Chaldean police officer in the city, navigating a profession that is still growing in diversity while representing both her community and women in law enforcement. Her story is one of dedication, service, and the quiet but powerful impact of representation.
Dr. Adhid Miri has lived many lives in one—scientist, educator, entrepreneur, historian, cultural preservationist, and, for Chaldean News readers, one of its most trusted and thoughtful voices. To read his work is to travel across centuries and continents, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Michigan, guided by a man who understands both the chemistry of molecules and the chemistry of people.
For anyone who knew Nuha Arabo, one thing was immediately clear: she had a presence that could light up any room. Her smile was constant, her laughter contagious, and her warmth made people feel instantly at ease. Whether surrounded by family or greeting someone for the first time, Nuha had a natural kindness that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Nicholas, better known as Nini, made life louder, funnier, and more interesting. His heart was huge, and anyone lucky enough to know him always felt that. Nini was notorious for chasing adventure and making all of our adventures that much better. Nini was the fearless one, the adventurous one, and the witty one who always had the perfect comebacks. He was the best arguer to do it. I know, because we argued a lot… and he always won.
Never doubt Logan Hamama. Ever. When he was a student-athlete at Birmingham Brother Rice High School, his work ethic, drive and determination earned the former part-time player the starting point guard job on the star-studded boys basketball team when he was a senior.
April is National Minority Health Month, highlighting the health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority groups. By understanding the social determinants of health impacting Chaldeans, both physicians and patients can encourage preventive care and improve outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about a quarter have it under control.
April invites us to slow down, listen more closely, and widen our understanding. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, this issue is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every story, every mind, and every path deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
The 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle took place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Larsa Palace in Warren, Michigan. Hosted by Bishop Francis Kalabat, the annual benefit supports the bishop’s office and provides vital funding for the diocese’s seminarians, priests and parishes.
In a quiet corner of the Chaldean Community Foundation in West Bloomfield (CCF West), something extraordinary is unfolding. The Mar Ibrahim Library is not simply housing books. It is awakening memory. It is stirring questions. It is forming students. And for the first time, it is opening the history of the Church of the East to the wider community in a structured, academic course once reserved primarily for seminarians.
This month’s issue explores a question that sits at the heart of every community story we tell: How do we carry the Chaldean story forward? Sometimes that question appears in big conversations, like immigration, where policies and legal definitions can shape real lives in lasting ways. When we talk about whether a misdemeanor should be grounds for removal, we are not just debating law. We are talking about families, second chances, and what fairness looks like in practice.
“What part of illegal do you not understand?” That is a standard line I have heard from critics of legalization whenever undocumented immigrants are discussed. For some, that sentence seems to settle the matter — a complex immigration debate reduced to a single word, with no need for further discussion.
As he approaches his first anniversary as Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Edward Weisenberger reflects on a year marked by collaboration and visible signs of hope. Arriving from Tucson to lead one of the nation’s most historic and complex archdioceses, he stepped into a city whose very motto promises resurrection.
For the second time in Chaldean Community Foundation West Bloomfield’s relatively short history, a group of (mostly) men met in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen to cook up some Chaldean cuisine. On the menu for this cold February day in Michigan? Paqota (also spelled pakutta, pukota, or pikota), a traditional Chaldean dish of turmeric barley with beef.
As the only girl with three older, athletic brothers, Lily Alattar had no choice but to like sports. The family was either at a game or watching one on TV. But while her brothers showcased their athleticism on the field, Lily’s talents emerged in a different way—through her vocal cords.
For many in the Chaldean community, Manresa Retreat Center is more than just a peaceful property tucked away in Bloomfield Hills—it is a spiritual refuge, a place of renewal, and, for some, a sacred tradition passed from one generation to the next.
After years spent building his SubSummit conference, Chris George and his partners, John Hajji and Paul Chambers, exited the business earlier this year in an eight-figure acquisition by Nineteen Group. The trio launched SubSummit in 2016 as an annual weekend conference geared toward subscription-based businesses. It created a space where founders, operators, and innovators could connect, exchange ideas, and push the industry forward together.
Pierce Shaya’s tennis career has always been associated with unbelievable numbers. His career record playing for the Bloomfield Hills High School boys tennis team from 2021-24 was 103-2. He was 77-1 in singles matches and 26-1 in doubles matches. He was 16-0 in four trips to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state tournament, winning state championships at No. 3 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and No. 1 singles, respectively, from his freshman through senior seasons.
Iraqi Arabic, also known as Mesopotamian Arabic, is the everyday language of millions of Iraqis and Iraqi Americans. It is the language of family conversations, humor, storytelling, and daily life. While Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal settings, Iraqi Arabic is what people actually speak at home and in the community.
For more than four decades, Coach Thaier Mukhtar has shaped one of Michigan’s most respected high school soccer programs, leading De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren to hundreds of victories, multiple state championships, and a reputation for excellence that extends far beyond the field.
When it comes to Chaldean weddings, the celebration has always extended beyond a single day. Layered with faith, family and detail — from the rings exchanged at the altar to the flowers carried down the aisle and from the invitation to the reception — 2026 wedding trends lean further into personalization and intentional design.
When couples tie the knot, they hope their day will be unforgettable. Fadi Y. Sitto ensures it is. Using a typewriter, Sitto listens to wedding guests and newlyweds alike, translating conversation, laughter, and quiet glances into live, spontaneous poetry.
Great style isn’t about trends, it’s about presence. Style is a language. Long before you speak, your clothes do the talking. They signal confidence, intention, and self-awareness or the lack of it. And while trends will always come and go, the way you carry yourself never goes out of style.
Marian High School marked a significant milestone late last year with the official opening of its new Wanink Art Wing and Fisher Family Science Wing, a major step forward in the school’s long-term campus improvement plan. The ribbon cutting, held October 28, celebrated the completion of Phase One of a multi-year renovation campaign aimed at enhancing both academic rigor and creative exploration for students.
From launching fast-casual restaurant concepts to building international retail and entertainment platforms, Saad Nadhir has spent a career transforming bold ideas into enduring enterprises. In 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will honor Nadhir as its Businessperson of the Year, recognizing not only his corporate achievements but also his longstanding commitment to mentorship and community leadership.
Volunteering takes many forms — from strengthening families and supporting engaged couples to empowering middle school girls. Often unseen and unpaid, volunteers are the behind-the-scenes heroes who hold a community together. Here are three stories of priceless service making a lasting impact within the Chaldean community.
When Dawn (Shaouni) Pullis’s stomach pains were too much to bear, she went to the doctor and was surprised by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She was 21. The examination was caught in its early stage, so she had an oophorectomy, the surgical removal of both her ovaries, and did not require chemotherapy or radiation. It took eight weeks to recover, but years to find a life partner who would accept her as an infertile wife.
