January Cover Stories Through the Years: 2005-2023

As part of our anniversary celebration, each month we will feature cover stories from that month over the past two decades. These articles will serve as a timeline of what we thought were relevant and worthy of the cover through the years.

The very first January issue debuted in 2005, almost a year into the publishing endeavor, and focused on the democratic vote in Iraq. For the first time, it seemed Iraqis had a voice. January 2006 was all about the Super Bowl coming to Detroit, and how some members of the community got involved through the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC). “It’s why I joined,” said Tom Hajji, who is now employed as a special projects manager for the Chamber.

The cover story for the first edition in 2007 was about the conflict in Iraq that followed the US invasion and ouster of Saddam Hussein. January 2008 predicted (correctly) a bad year for the economy, and 2009 highlighted the woes of Detroit’s automakers.

The Chaldean News was writing about vaccine safety back in 2010, and interviewed parents who believed their child became autistic from the MMR vaccination. Medical personnel on the other side swore childhood vaccines are backed by solid science. The debate still rages.

January 2011 addressed the issue of domestic violence, and 2012 focused on young community members living in Detroit.

The CN strives to celebrate successes as well as individual life stories, like that of Michael George, who was featured in January 2013 as he celebrated his 80th birthday. A quote from George in that article underscored his business drive: “When I retire you are all invited. It will be my funeral.” His philanthropy lives on, in the Michael J. George Chaldean Loan Fund, run by the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF), among other endowments.

2014 celebrated the dedication of Chaldean sisters (nuns), 2015 told the story of the new reality for many Iraqi refugees living in makeshift camps in Iraq, and 2016 saw the Bank of Michigan, the first bank owned by Chaldean-Americans, merge with Level One Bank.

January 2017’s cover showcased two George Shaounis, (father and son), Powerhouse Gym, and their holistic approach to fitness. 2018 focused on emerging trends, such as the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry, the expanding food delivery industry, and real estate development in the metro area. “I expect a substantial uptick in real estate development in the city of Detroit,” Zaid Elia of Elia Group was quoted as saying. He was not wrong.

In 2019, recreational marijuana use was legalized in Michigan, and CN asked the question, “Now what?” It is a question that still resonates, as that industry has seen some major upheaval in the last few years. This topic, along with vaccinations, is one of the most hotly debated within the community.

2020 brought us COVID-19, but it also brought the much-needed Shenandoah Country Club expansion. Shenandoah has already grown into all the space, utilizing every square inch to serve the community.

The 2021 January issue looked back at the COVID crisis and highlighted how much the Chaldean community contributed to the good of the overall community. From donating medical supplies and meals to providing healthcare workers serving in the front line, Chaldeans were there. We celebrated all the community’s healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and emergency personnel, of which there were plenty! We were a little bit shocked by the tremendous response to our call for photos.

In 2022, our cover featured the “Brave Bishop” of Mosul and Kirkuk, Mar Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf. Forced to flee Mosul as ISIS invaded in 2014, the bishop left with the clothes on his back and “seven manuscripts that are very old.” He spoke out against the Western powers, laying the blame for the decreased Christian population in the Middle East squarely at their feet.

That brings us to 2023. The first cover of this year brought us full circle, back to Iraq. A delegation from the CCF and the CACC made an inaugural mission trip to the motherland, to see what can be done to aid those still living there. Sadly, most of those families that left will not return, having no good reason to do so. Plagued by drought, internal conflict, and corrupt governance, Iraq still calls out for justice. And we will continue to report about it.