CULTURE & HISTORY
Al Mutanabbi is recognized as one of the most prominent poets of the Arabic language. His body of work, more than 326 poems, is so influential that much of it has been translated into over 20 languages worldwide.
In Part One of this series, we explored the ancient Christian towns of Alqosh and Tel Keppe, communities whose histories stretch across centuries and whose churches, monasteries, traditions, and people have helped preserve the Christian heritage of the Nineveh Plain.
IRAQ TODAY
Amidst the corridors of Arab entertainment and the glow of stardom, artist and former Miss Arab World Klodia Hanna stands out as a unique Mesopotamian voice. She has successfully carried her Chaldean identity and rich cultural heritage into the widest artistic and media arenas.
Online Exclusive
The 13th annual Stride for Seminarians brought nearly 900 people to the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, September 20, 2026 despite a rainy and overcast morning. Rain or shine, the community showed up in support of Chaldean seminarians and the future of the Church.
Chaldean-owned Fresh Farms Market in Grosse Pointe finally got the attention it had been seeking from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy after a 228-day social media campaign urging him to try its pizza. Portnoy visited the family-run grocery store, owned by brothers Steve and Larry Najjar since 1997, and gave its hand-tossed, New York-style pizza a 7.9 rating. The store makes its dough and sauce in-house, and employees are preparing for a potential surge in customers when Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Review is released.
In the Studio with Ronia Shamona
Lights, Camera, Action: Ronia Shamona, host, anchor, and producer on Detroit’s channel FOX2, sits down with editor Sarah Kittle to talk about what it’s like to be in the spotlight 24/7.

Steven Hannosh shares his journey to sobriety — and his inspiration to help others recover — with Dr. Crystal Kassab.

Sam Poules is the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He discusses his long career in public service with CN editor, Sarah Kittle.

Juliana Rabban speaks with CN editor Sarah Kittle about the hustle in her art, her business and her Chaldean identity.
EVENT
Assyrian Youth Federation of America Youth Summit 2026
The Assyrian American National Federation (AANF) hosted their 93rd annual convention at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Illinois from September 4-7. The Labor Day weekend featured a wide variety of topics and speakers, including a panel of American and Canadian returnees to Iraq, the first accredited Assyrian language and culture program in the US, and Assyrian Chaldean American advocacy concerning Iraq and the Nineveh Plains. Other activities included dance classes, sports tournaments, an art exhibit, and Lamassu Kids Camp. The convention, which drew 5000 people from all over the world, showcased the diasporic community’s desire to stay connected to the homeland. The 2027 convention is slated for San Diego, followed by Detroit in 2028. Follow AANF on Facebook or Instagram for more information.
Features
Halloween is a tradition many Americans enjoy from early childhood into adulthood, when they pass it on to children of their own. It brings to mind jack-o’-lanterns, flashes of orange and black, spooky decorations, endless costume possibilities, and mountains of candy.
There is something undeniably surreal about driving down a Texas highway dressed like a first-century Christian. For Dr. Marisa Abbo and her longtime friend, Jenny Dickow, it was the beginning of an experience neither could have imagined when they first met as teenagers at Our Lady of Mercy High School.
With an open U.S. Senate seat and a closely watched race for governor, Michigan’s 2026 midterm election carries implications that reach far beyond the state’s borders. The outcome will help determine who leads Michigan at a pivotal time for the state, while the Senate race could have consequences for the balance of power in Washington.
Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for children, with neighborhoods filled with costumes, candy, and families out enjoying the evening together. But with more pedestrians, vehicles, and distractions on the roads, a few simple precautions can help make the night safer for everyone.
Fady Asmar has been dreaming of this day for a decade. A man of the modern age, he’s been looking for a KonKan app for nearly as long as there have been apps. KonKan is a popular rummy-style card game widely played in the Middle East and Latin America. It is historically recognized as the ancestor of modern Rummy.
When Crystal Delly took over Cakes with a Whisk in 2025, she knew she was stepping into a business that would allow her to express her creativity. What she did not know was that, within a matter of months, she would have to learn how to decorate cakes herself.
For more than 6,000 years of recorded history, dates have nourished civilizations and occupied a place of honor throughout the Middle East. The date palm has sustained generations with its sweet fruit and remarkable ability to thrive in some of the world’s harshest climates.
Ron Acho’s life was a testament to what can happen when perseverance is met with opportunity and when success is understood as something to be shared, not simply as something to be achieved. I had the distinct honor of interviewing Ron and his lovely wife Rita last year as he was being honored by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce as Businessperson of the Year.
Arabic Translations
بين أروقة الفن العربي وأضواء النجومية، تبرز الفنانة وملكة جمال العرب السابقة كلوديا حنا كصوت رافديني فريد، استطاع أن يحمل هويته الكلدانية وثقافته العريقة إلى أوسع المحافل الفنية والإعلامية. من طفولة بغدادية تفيض بذكريات قريتي باطنايا وتللسقف، إلى محطات الاغتراب والدراسة الأكاديمية بين مسارح مصر وشاشاتها، ظلت كلوديا متمسكة بروح تراثها ولغة أجدادها، معتبرة أن الفن رسالة والاعتزاز بالأصل واجب وحضارة.
تعد قصيدة “واحر قلباه ممن قلبه شبم”، التي مدح فيها سيف الدولة الحمداني، من قلادات وروائع ,من أشهر قصائد المتنبي وأكثرها تداولاً، حيث تمثل قمة إبداعه في الوصف والعتاب والفخر. كما تحظى قصائد أخرى لشاعر الشعراء والعلى والعلياء بشهرة واسعة مثل «على قدر أهل العزم تأتي العزائم»
في الجزء الأول من هذه السلسلة، استعرضنا البلدات المسيحية العريقة «ألقوش» و»تل كيف»، وهما بلدتان يمتد تاريخهما عبر القرون، وساهمت كنائسهما وأديرتهما وتقاليدهما وسكانهما في الحفاظ على التراث المسيحي لسهل نينوى.
تمتلك اسماء المدن والقرى المسيحية في العراق جذوراً تاريخية عريقة تعود للغات الآرامية، السريانية، والآشورية. وتُركز هذه الأسماء بمعانيها على السمات الجغرافية، أو الزراعية، أو الدينية، وتشكل موروثاً مهماً في مناطق سهل نينوى وإقليم كردستان وتشكل صورة من الموزايك التاريخي الفريد للمنطقة.
Voices
FROM THE EDITOR
Let’s face it: America has been going through it lately. We’re watching conflicts unfold in the Middle East, tensions rise across the border with Canada, and divisions deepen at home from left to right. On a smaller scale, Michigan has some big decisions of its own to make. Our freshwater resources are becoming increasingly important—and increasingly coveted—while data centers continue to make their way into conversations about development in our rural communities.
GUEST COLUMN
Having worked as an immigration attorney for over 30 years, it seems to me that America has a love/hate relationship with illegal immigration, creating many conflicts. We need immigration reform to resolve this matter. For much of the history of our republic, seasonal undocumented immigrants traveled annually through the southern border to perform jobs in the United States and then returned back through that same border.
GUEST COLUMN
In addressing this difficult subject, I must first make a clarification: I am not a theologian or an ethicist. I am a physician who has faced end-of-life issues many times over my 37-year career in pediatric oncology. This article is guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church—its Catechism and moral tradition—and by the Catholic Medical Association, of which I was a member. If I have made any errors, I welcome correction and comment.
Departments
RELIGION
Jacob Bacall’s book Chaldean Catholic Church uncovers a remarkable historical throughline—from the Magi who journeyed from the East to offer gifts to the Lord, to the formation of the Church of the East through the work of apostles such as St. Jude, and through centuries of violent persecution as rulers sought to strip the Church of the East of its ability to practice the faith. Through it all, one enduring truth emerges: an unshakeable belief that Jesus Christ is Lord.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
As the leaves turn and Halloween approaches, this month’s From the Archive dips into the Chaldean Cultural Center’s collection for a handful of fall memories from families across the community. Together, these snapshots remind us that some of our most treasured traditions are the simple ones: dressing up, gathering as family, and making memories worth saving. Do you have fall or Halloween photos of your own? Share them with the Chaldean Cultural Center to help preserve the Chaldean community’s story.
EVENT
A Night in Monaco, held on Friday, August 28, at Wabeek Club in Bloomfield Hills, was a tremendous success, raising more than $100,000 for The Children’s Foundation of Michigan on behalf of The Joe & Nora Barbat Family Foundation and Prime Concepts Detroit. The Monaco-inspired evening brought together generous supporters for a night of philanthropy and celebration, with proceeds supporting The Children’s Foundation of Michigan and its work on behalf of children across Michigan.
SPORTS
Mario Marougi had a great senior season last spring with the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School boys rowing team. His varsity 4 and varsity 8 boats were winners at St.Mary’s Laddie Cup Regatta on Orchard Lake and the Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan boys state championships at Kensington Metropark.
SPORTS
Lexa Hindo’s path to her second consecutive state championship in girls tennis was a bumpy one. Less than a month before she competed in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state tournament this past spring, the Birmingham Marian doubles specialist tore the calf muscle in her right leg during a match at regionals.
NOTEWORTHY
Jonathan Elias, the “Pastry Guru,” is officially returning to the kitchen for Season 16 of Halloween Wars, competing on an all-star team named “Team Fright Squad.” Based in Troy, Michigan, Elias is a seasoned Food Network veteran who previously found success as a Holiday Wars champion and a runner-up on Halloween Wars Season 14.
Foundation Update
The Chaldean Community Foundation’s Breaking Barriers Program continues to create meaningful opportunities for participants to learn, grow, connect, and build confidence. This summer, the program celebrated its 14th anniversary on Aug. 21 with more than 200 attendees enjoying an afternoon of joy, community, and traditional dancing.
The Chaldean Community Foundation was excited to welcome more than 70 young learners into our program. This year, the program includes two part-day preschool classes for three-year-olds and two classrooms for four-year-old Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) students.
Woven Tapestry: The Story of Chaldean Americans, presented by the Chaldean Community Foundation, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, and Chaldean Cultural Center is an official selection for the Royal Starr Film Festival.
The CCF recently hosted back-to-school events in partnership with Warren Consolidated Schools (WCS) and Utica Community Schools (UCS), helping local families prepare for the upcoming school year.
Noteworthy
Jonathan Elias, the “Pastry Guru,” is officially returning to the kitchen for Season 16 of Halloween Wars, competing on an all-star team named “Team Fright Squad.” Based in Troy, Michigan, Elias is a seasoned Food Network veteran who previously found success as a Holiday Wars champion and a runner-up on Halloween Wars Season 14.
Christopher Dabish, a fourth-year medical student at Michigan State College of Human Medicine, was selected as one of the 24 medical students in the country to spend training camp with an NFL team. He may be the first Chaldean medical student to do so, and he’s taking part in a rotation with the Detroit Lions!
After nearly three decades in the kitchen at Phoenicia Restaurant, Najat Shaia is beginning a new chapter—one that will include more time with her children and grandchildren, along with opportunities to travel and enjoy life outside the restaurant.
Chaldean-American writer Dominic Anton’s new book, Salim, officially debuted September 4, bringing together journal entries and poetry drawn from his experiences between Baghdad and Los Angeles. Through personal reflections on family, displacement, creativity and cultural identity, Anton examines what it means to build a life in a new place while carrying the memories and traditions of home.
Obituaries
Carl Matthew Hakim, “Chef Carl,” born on March 3, 1960, passed to the fullness of life on September 17, 2026, surrounded by his family. Loving husband of Azucena for 37 years; devoted father of Carly (Randy) Babi and Caitlyn Hakim; proud grandfather of Charlotte.
The Chaldean community mourns the passing of Dr. Nouri Y. Mary, a pioneering pharmacist, educator and academic leader who was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 25, 1929, and passed away on July 5, 2026. After earning his pharmacy degree from the University of Baghdad and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, Dr. Mary spent 42 years as a professor and associate dean at Long Island University, where he mentored generations of pharmacists and received the university’s Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Service.
Helen Jerjes Kattoula Kassab was born on August 3, 1950, and passed to the fullness of everlasting life on June 25, 2026. Helen was the loving daughter of the late Jerjes Hanna Kattoula and the late Narmi Hanna Yono, the cherished wife of the late Hanna Kassab, humble mother to Duraid Kassab, Ruwaida (Mazen) Yono, and Randa (Yousif) Jamil, and beloved grandmother of 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Lamya M. Kory, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, was born on October 14, 1960 and passed away on May 19, 2026. She leaves behind her cherished children, Laith, Tyson (Rhana), Keira, and Norman Jr. (Madison), and her beloved grandchildren, Delilah, Hendrix, and Dempsey. She is survived by her loving siblings, Teresa Saroki, Raad Qasguargis , and Carmen Qasguargis , and reunited in peace with her late brother, Robbie Qasguargis.
In Memoriam
OCTOBER 2026
This section honors the lives and legacies of those we have recently lost. The listings are provided by Southfield Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mercy Funeral & Cremation Services, whose support helps ensure that each individual is recognized with dignity and care.