Even if you haven’t read our previous article on Jonny “Magic” Mansour (“Fighting for Heritage,” October 2025), his name should sound familiar. Mansour, who turned 26 on July 22, is a 5’10” lightweight boxer out of San Diego with a 7-0 record, including two knockouts.
Read MoreThe Hamama v. Adducci lawsuit—a landmark class-action lawsuit filed in 2017 by the ACLU of Michigan and partner organizations to block the mass deportation of Iraqi nationals—provides important protections for certain Iraqis living in the United States. The settlement applies only to Iraqi nationals who had a final order of removal between March 1, 2017, and June 24, 2017, and who were not already deported under that order. It does not apply to all Iraqi immigrants.
Read MoreAfter 39 days and 104 matches, the World Cup has come to an end—but the intense feelings of national pride and a broader sense of global unity will hopefully linger. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the first in its 23 editions to be jointly hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Opening Day on June 12 had 25 million viewers for “the planet’s largest sporting event,” according to NPR—and then the party really began.
Read MoreWhen she was a teenager, Nikita Ducarroz’s anxieties were so bad that she was afraid to her leave her house. If she was outside her home and she felt the slightest bit ill, she raced home. “My anxieties affected my everyday life,” she said. “I played travel soccer, but I had to quit because it’s a team sport and my team couldn’t count on me.” Fast forward a few years. Now 29, Ducarroz is one of the world’s top female freestyle BMX (bicycle motocross) athletes.
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This article examines the origins, symbolism, and historical development of flags, with particular attention to the evolution of the Iraqi flag since the establishment of the modern Iraqi state in 1921. It explores the meanings associated with flag colors and symbols, the historical role of flags in shaping national identity, and the numerous transformations of the Iraqi flag over the past century.
Read MoreNo matter where someone comes from, music is arguably one of life’s great shared experiences. From classical to Arab pop to jazz and hip hop and all the kinds in between, music has always been a great uniter of people. But it’s even more than that—music is a way that we express ourselves, preserve our cultures, and connect with others. Grandiose gatherings centered around music is a concept almost as old as time itself. To dedicate one’s life to music is as noble an effort as any.
Read MoreOn Thursday, July 23, Comerica Park in Detroit experienced a Chaldean takeover during Chaldean Heritage Baseball Night. Thousands of Chaldeans filled the stands, wearing their specially made Detroit Tigers shirts featuring a Chaldean Cross and sporting cut-out signs of Fr. Pierre Konja’s face to celebrate his throwing out the first pitch. Before entering the stadium, a joy filled Baggiya line dance spontaneously broke out. It was truly a family affair with fans of all ages representing both their culture and their city. The Tigers didn’t disappoint and rallied in late innings to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3.
Read MoreOur archives this month explore some vacation photos of our international traveler, Dr. Adhid Miri, who shared some “mod” photos from the 1970s and more recent (but still decades old) photos from the year 2000.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreHelen 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreNot all official meetings are alike. Some conclude as soon as the formalities end, while others open the door to conversations whose significance extends far beyond the meeting room. It was in this spirit that the meeting between a delegation from the Chaldean Community Foundation and H.E. Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, held in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 2026, assumed particular importance.
Read MoreHaving 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.
Read MoreMental health is one of those topics that can be difficult to discuss, yet it deserves a place in our everyday conversations. We have been providing articles that address mental health because it is such an important issue—one that affects individuals, families and communities. If you or someone you love is struggling, reaching out for support is a sign of strength.
Read MoreOn July 8, community members joined the Chaldean Community Foundation and the Chaldean Diocese for a book presentation and signing at CCF West. Mar Bawai Soro, Jacob Bacall, and Fr. Wisam Matti shared their latest works and insights into the rich history of the Chaldean Church.
Read MoreU.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin recently toured CCF West and learned about the Foundation’s commitment to preserving the history, language, and traditions of the Chaldean community. The visit also highlighted CCF West’s role as a center for education, storytelling, and cultural preservation through language programs, community spaces, and historical initiatives.
Read MoreCCF West recently welcomed His Holiness Mar Awa III, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. Joined by Bishop Francis Kalabat, clergy from the Chaldean Diocese, and CCF president Martin Manna, His Holiness toured the facility including the Mar Ibrahim Library. During the visit, they explored the library’s collection of preserved manuscripts, rare texts, and historical resources that safeguard the rich heritage, language, and history of the Chaldean and Assyrian people for future generations.
Read MoreMaria Osmano has been appointed Human Resources Director for NoMad Detroit, the highly anticipated luxury hotel opening within Detroit’s historic Michigan Central district. Maria joins NoMad Detroit following nearly twelve years with Cicero Hospitality Group, where she most recently served as Vice President of People, Brand & Operations.
Read MorePrime Concepts Detroit, founded and operated by Joe Barbat, announced that Aurora Italiana Detroit will open inside the former home of Pao Detroit later this year. “Our goal is to create an experience that honors both the incredible history of this landmark building and the timeless appeal of Italian hospitality,” Barbat said in a statement. “From preserving the beauty of the historic Michigan Oriental Theater to introducing a warm, rustic trattoria atmosphere, Aurora Italiana Detroit will be a destination where guests can enjoy exceptional food in one of Detroit’s most remarkable spaces.”
Read MoreA group of local friends—Fady Asmar, Danny Abdow, and Justin Samona—recently launched Konkan Classic, a mobile app that brings the classic card game Konkan to iOS and soon to Android. “Like many in our community, we grew up playing Konkan at family gatherings; it’s how holidays ended and how weekends were spent,” says Samona. “We built this app so the game we love can live on for the next generation, and so family members can play together even when they’re not around the same table.”
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