Nick (Najah) Dawood Konja was born on May 3, 1962, and passed away from complications of pulmonary fibrosis on April 12, 2023. The son of Dawood and Warina Konja, Nick is survived by his brothers Salman (Rejina), Shoki (Miad), Nashwan (Cindy) and sisters the late Amira (Abdelahad) Abdal, Ghanima (Phillipe) Kanouna, Suad (George) Zakar, and Samira (Fiak) Garmo.
Read MoreAhhh, spring in Michigan. We love our state and all its personalities, especially in May. Spring flowers and Mother’s Day make the month a celebration, and we are here for it. In this month’s Family Time, Valene Ayar shares some benefits that come along with gardening with kids. It teaches them respect for nature and introduces them to the satisfaction that comes with having a purpose. Plus, it may help them enjoy vegetables at the dinner table. It could happen.
Read MoreSelwan Anwar Taponi was born to a Syriac Catholic family on April 29, 1969, in Baghdad, Iraq. In August of 1969, he was baptized at the Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah in northern Iraq. Growing up in Baghdad, Father Selwan’s home parish was Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Church in Baghdad. Although they were Syriac Catholic, his family were regular parishioners at Sacred Heart Chaldean Church in the same city; Selwan’s father was particularly close with Bishop (then Father) Jibrail Kassab. It was in this church that he received his First Holy Communion.
Read MoreThe history of alcohol in Iraq stretches thousands of years, back to the invention of beer in ancient Mesopotamia. Their ruins are full of hundreds of clay tablets that record the methods and means of making and drinking beer; some even depict drink councils. Cups and vessels for drinking and manufacturing wine are also frequently found among the artifacts.
Read MoreFor much of history and in many lands, being Christian was considered an act of treason and failure to renounce that belief would result in a death sentence. Called to witness for God and Christ the Savior, these nine brave souls paid the ultimate price for their faith.
Read MoreSunday, March 19 marked the 20th year anniversary of the 2003 US-Invasion of Iraq. That day Detroit Public Theatre held a watch party for the film adaptation of Heather Raffo’s 9 Pars of Desire, an award-winning one-woman show which premiered almost 20 years ago in London and Off-Broadway, later becoming a global theatrical phenomenon. The date also marked three years since Raffo’s father, Georges, passed away.
Read MoreApril marks the Babylonian Akitu Festival, the New Year in ancient Mesopotamia. Professor Amanda H. Podany describes the history of that festival in her book Weavers, Scribes and Kings. She also shares other important details related to the study of Chaldeans.
Read MoreIt has been said that what shapes a person is the books they’ve read, the people they’ve met, and the places they’ve traveled. This applies directly to Habib Hannona’s life journey and philosophy. As an avid reader and ardent culturist, he has read hundreds, perhaps thousands of books in various languages over the years.
Read MoreThe emotion was palpable. Fr. Pierre Konja looked up from his chair in the theater room of our basement and asked, “How are the parents doing?” He was there to meet and counsel a spontaneous gathering of MSU students on the Tuesday evening after the mass shooting on campus.
Read MoreYou can find a job by word-of-mouth, looking for “help wanted” signs on buildings, searching online job engines like Monster.com or Indeed.com, or contacting your local community center, like the Chaldean Community Foundation, for help.
Read MoreAmira Daboul was well into the writing of her first cookbook before a title occurred to her. While working with her editor, Linda Schwartz, “awafi” was a word Amira would mention upon finalizing each recipe. One day, they looked at each other and the idea seemed to strike at once — Amira had found a name for the cookbook.
Read MoreBetween the fall of 2021 and the fall of 2022, 5,621 Christians were killed, 4,542 were arrested, and 5,259 were kidnapped around the world, according to the Christian international network Open Doors. In addition, over 2,000 churches and church buildings were the target of violence. Almost one in seven Christians worldwide were persecuted, with those in the Middle East bearing the brunt of the hatred.
Read MoreThe Great Lakes State has long been a destination for travelers and natives alike seeking natural beauty, scenic drives, historical sites, and relaxing (or even risky) recreation. With its stunning sunsets and its wondrous four seasons, the “Mighty Mitten” is a great place full of exceptional experiences just waiting for you.
Read MoreFood Network star and restaurateur Guy Fieri is bringing his brand of fried chicken to Michigan, and Tomey Group is helping him do that.
Read MoreThe best brands evoke the emotions of their customers by tapping into their hearts and minds. In this book, marketing and brand strategist Lydia Michael of Blended Collective breaks down the process of building culturally inclusive, long-lasting consumer-brand relationships.
Read MoreWe have claimed April as Chaldean Heritage Month since Governor Gretchen Whitmer decreed that status for the month last year. In that spirit, we have an issue full of culture for you for April.
Read MoreThe Iraqi constitution guarantees “personal, religious and cultural freedom,” protestors say to a law that prohibits the sale of alcohol in the country say the law violates the constitution.
Read MoreFor Desiree Hannosh, donating her hair was something she wanted to do to help her community. She was inspired to do so when she saw a classmate in a cancer battle who lost their hair during treatment.
Read MoreA new leadership program has recently launched, a partnership between the Chaldean Community Foundation and Wireless Vision called Learn with A Leader. 13 participants have been selected to participate in the program.
Read MoreThe Chaldean Community Foundation recently celebrated its 12 year anniversary. The CCF opened its doors in Sterling Heights on March 8, 2011, to address and serve the needs of the refugee, immigrant, and greater community.
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