Echoes of Ancient Gates
Artwork at the CCF West building
By Dr. Adhid Miri
Part II
The history of doors in ancient civilizations—and especially in the Middle East—is remarkable. Gates and wooden doors have existed since the dawn of civilization. According to the Bible, King Solomon commissioned olive wood doors for his temple. Ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians also used wooden doors in their homes and temples.
More than simple entryways, doors have served as witnesses to thousands of years of human history. Though it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when they first appeared, doors have been essential in nearly every culture for as long as written records exist.
Doors carried social, symbolic, and practical significance. They expressed societal values, prosperity, and security. Early doors were simple wooden planks held together with pegs or iron nails. As civilizations advanced, iron straps and rivets reinforced doors—especially in castles and fortified structures—strengthening their defensive power.
In churches and monasteries, doors took on spiritual meaning, featuring religious carvings and iconography. Oak, pine, and chestnut were the most common woods, with iron providing both reinforcement and decoration. Even more impressive, however, are the building technologies behind these structures.
Ancient Nineveh—on the outskirts of modern Mosul—was a major center of trade and religion along the Tigris River. It served as the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire, known for its writing systems and regional control. A massive wall surrounded the city, punctuated by 15 gates, including the Mashki Gate, or “Gate of the Watering Places.” Highly symbolic and iconic in the Mosul landscape, the Mashki Gate was restored in the 20th century but later destroyed by ISIS using bulldozers.
Nineveh’s western wall contained seven (or possibly eight) gates. The Step Gate of the Palace, the second gate from the northern wall, was constructed by the Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib sometime between 694 and 691 B.C. He gave it the ceremonial Akkadian name Libūr-ēpissa, meaning “May Its Builder Endure.” Although its precise location remains unknown, its everyday name, mušlālum ša ēkalli (“Step Gate of the Palace”), suggests it led up to Sennacherib’s palace on the citadel, possibly to the harem or its northern wing.
Assyrian inscriptions from the seventh century B.C. record that Nineveh’s south- and east-facing walls contained eight gates. The Sennacherib Gate was the third among these. Built by Sennacherib, its ceremonial name was Sāpin-gimir-nakirī, or “The One Who Flattens All Enemies.” During Ashurbanipal’s reign, the gate was renamed in his honor. Inscriptions dating to 691 B.C. confirm its construction between mid-694 and early 691.
The ruins of Nineveh today are encircled by remnants of the stone and mudbrick walls built around 700 B.C., stretching roughly 12 kilometers. Only five of the original 15 gates have been explored by archaeologists. Though rebuilt in the 20th century, Nineveh’s gates continue to serve as cherished symbols of Mosul’s ancient heritage.
The 1958 Freedom Monument
No monument in Iraq—or in much of the Middle East—has achieved the lasting fame and symbolism of the Freedom Monument in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. Associated with pivotal events in modern Iraqi history, it is regarded as one of the most significant monuments in the region. Since its unveiling in 1961, it has remained a steadfast symbol through successive governments.
A replica is permanently displayed on the exterior of CCF West.
The iconic monument is closely tied to the establishment of the Iraqi Republic and the overthrow of the monarchy on July 14, 1958. It reflects the struggles of Iraqi workers and the sweeping political shifts of that era, shaped by the rise of communist influence. It stands as a national emblem of the Iraqi people—their workers, farmers, government employees and laborers—and their collective will.
Throughout Iraq’s many revolutions and political upheavals, the monument has remained a unifying symbol of freedom and the end of colonial oppression.
The Story Behind the Monument
Prime Minister Abdul Karim Qasim proposed the monument in 1959 to commemorate the establishment of the Republic. He commissioned architect Rifat Chadirchi, who designed a 50-meter-wide, eight-meter-high banner-like structure inspired by the massive demonstrations supporting the 1958 revolution.
Chadirchi said he wanted the monument “to symbolize all segments of the population as an expression of their being the heroines and fuel of the revolution, standing up against any political faction that sought to harm it.”
What is strange and sad about the story of the monument is that the sculptor, Jawad Seleem, passed away several months before its inauguration. It was then completed by his lifelong colleague Mohammed Ghani Hickmat and Saleem’s British wife, Lorna, who had lived with him in Baghdad since his return from studying abroad in the late 1940s.
Creators: Jawad Saleem and Mohammed Ghani Hikmat
Hikmat played a crucial role in completing Nasb Al-Hurriyah (the Freedom Monument), especially after Saleem’s death. The monument’s 14 bronze castings blend ancient Mesopotamian imagery with modern themes. Its most striking feature is the central figure of a soldier breaking prison bars, symbolizing the turning point from oppression to liberation.
The scenes progress from turmoil to hope: a small child as a symbol of new beginnings, a grieving mother honoring martyrs, symbols of agriculture and fertility, and a unified Iraqi people. The piece incorporates ancient Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian artistic traditions alongside scenes depicting the events of July 14, 1958.
The monument reads right to left, beginning with suffering and ending with freedom.
Freedom Monument Symbol Interpretations
The Detainee: A chained man symbolizing oppression before the revolution.
The Bereaved Mother: A grieving woman representing the emotional spark of revolution.
The Martyr: A fallen figure carried by others, symbolizing sacrifice.
The Scream: A man shouting—the first moment of rebellion.
The Fighter: Armed defender of rights and protector of the revolution.
Woman With Child: Signifying hope and a new generation.
Farmer: Symbolizing labor and the working class.
Worker: Raising a hammer to represent industry and progress.
Victorious Woman: Arms raised in triumph and peace.
Cavalry: A mounted figure linking Iraq’s ancient and modern heroism.
Liberated Prisoner: A man with broken chains, symbolizing victory over tyranny.
The Family: Representing stability and the emergence of a new society.
Flying Birds: Emblems of peace and freedom.
Rising Sun: The dawn of a new Iraq.
Together these symbols tell a powerful story: Injustice → Suffering → Revolution → Sacrifice → Victory → Freedom → New Life. The monument stands today in Sahat al-Hurriyah on the Rusafa side of Baghdad.
The journey from the gates of ancient Nineveh to the Freedom Monument in Baghdad, and to the achievements of the Chaldean community in Michigan, shows that our history is alive in every brick, every story, and every act of perseverance. At the Chaldean Community Foundation West building, this legacy comes alive—reminding us of the creativity, resilience, and unity that define our people. By honoring our past and celebrating our accomplishments, we not only preserve our heritage but also inspire future generations to carry forward the spirit of community, hope, and cultural pride.
The Historic Timeline
Timelines are essential tools for understanding major turning points and the relationships between significant events in our community. For this timeline, we selected the period from 2003 to 2025 to provide a visual representation of recent history, focusing on key developments in both Iraq and the United States.
The CCF Timeline places events in context, showing how they relate to one another and to the broader historical landscape. The dates help pinpoint when key moments occurred and how they shaped our community. Important happenings, figures, and milestones are highlighted with images to provide a clear visual overview. The timeline begins with the 2003 regime change and continues through 2025.
2003- The U.S. invades Iraq on March 20, 2003, leading to the displacement and eventual exodus of over one million Chaldeans and other Christians.
2003 The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce is founded, and a 15-person Board of Directors is established.
2004 The first Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner is celebrated at Southfield Manor, establishing an annual tradition of honoring a Businessperson of the Year.
2004 Young entrepreneurs launch and publish the first issue of the Chaldean News in February.
2005 The Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan (CIAAM) moves from Southfield Manor to Shenandoah Country Club.
2006 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce hosts the first Chaldean Festival in Southfield, attracting thousands of festival goers.
2006 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce establishes a Political Action Committee to support candidates across party lines who are pro-business and sympathetic to the concerns of the Chaldean community.
2006 The Waad Murad Advocacy Fund is established to help resolve open cases of Chaldeans murdered in their place of business, leading to the establishment of the Chaldean Community Foundation.
2006 Bank of Michigan, the first Chaldean-owned bank, is established, later becoming Level One Bank and then First Merchants Bank.
2007 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce helps launch groups to advocate for ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq.
2008 The first Chaldean household survey is completed with United Way and Walsh College, confirming a population of 113,000 Chaldean Americans in Metro Detroit.
2009 The first Chaldean American Day is proposed in Lansing.
2010 The Chaldean News partners with the Detroit Jewish News to form the “Building Community” initiative.
2011 Chaldean Community Foundation opens its initial location in Sterling Heights.
2012 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce board member Klint Kesto makes history as the first Chaldean elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives.
2013 The Chaldean Community Foundation and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce partner with Mango Languages to develop an online Chaldean Aramaic language course.
2014 The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) invade the city of Mosul, Iraq. Christians are given 24 hours to leave the city or convert, pay a tax, or be killed. Some 200,000 members of the Chaldean community are forced to flee.
2015 Chaldean Community Foundation opens a new 11,500 square-foot community center in Sterling Heights.
2016 dBusiness economist estimates Chaldean businesses contribute $10.7 billion to Michigan’s economy.
2017 Chaldean Community Foundation expands its annual scholarship program for qualified Chaldean students.
2018 Chaldean delegation travels to Lansing to celebrate “Chaldean American Day” at the state Capitol.
2019 The deportation of Iraqi Christians from Metro Detroit, including the tragic case of Jimmy Aldaoud, highlights the community’s vulnerability.
2020 Chaldean Community Foundation adds a 19,000 square-foot addition to Sterling Heights Center.
2020 Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce establishes the Ark Angel Fund to support early-stage start-up businesses.
2021 Chaldean Community Foundation breaks ground on Tigris Tower, a 135-unit mixed use attainable housing project to rejuvenate the North Van Dyke Corridor in Sterling Heights.
2022 The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation purchase a 41,000-square foot property in West Bloomfield to redevelop an abandoned school building, establishing a second community center.
2023 The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation establish a presence in Nineveh to help Chaldeans and other minorities in Iraq.
2023 The Chaldean household survey shows a population of 187,000, contributing $18 billion annually to Michigan’s economy.
2024 Iraq›s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia› Al Sudani visits the Chaldean community in Detroit.
2024 Chaldean Community Foundation announces Tigris Tower II, adding 82 units of attainable housing surrounded by greenspace and parks in Sterling Heights.
2024 Chaldean Community Foundation facilitates a sister-city relationship between the city of Sterling Heights and the District of Ankawa-Erbil.
2025 Chaldean News works with the Michigan Historical Commission to install historical marker commemorating the 7 Mile and Woodward area as “Chaldean Town.”
2025 A delegation from the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation travels to Iraq, holding high-level meetings establishing the Nineveh Fund to help rebuild Christian villages that were destroyed by ISIS.
2025 The Chaldean Community Foundation’s new community center in West Bloomfield opens its doors. The facility houses Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean News offices, the Bishop Ibrahim Library, Chaldean Museum, CN Radio, CN TV, Chaldean Voice Radio, a business incubator, demonstration kitchen, and theater.