Soccer in Iraq is a unifying cultural force governed by the Iraq Football Association, which was founded in 1948 and joined FIFA in 1950. Known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia,” the national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice (Mexico 1986 and the expanded 2026 tournament) and famously won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
Read MoreFormer Michigan Chaldean soccer clubs, players, and Iraqi-Chaldean soccer fans are invited to a special 2026 FIFA World Cup Game Watch Party celebrating Iraq’s matchup against France. The event will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, beginning with a reception and program at 3:00 p.m., followed by kickoff festivities at 5:00 p.m. The gathering will take place at the Chaldean Community Foundation – West, located at 2075 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield (Main Street).
Read MoreSummertime always feels like the season of fun and adventure. As children, we wait for the end of the school year and impatiently look forward to days spent playing outside, swimming, and enjoying homework-free fun. As adults, many of us are simply looking forward to a break from the cold, relentless Michigan winters. Summer also brings time off work, family reunions, and, best of all—vacations.
Read MoreJune is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging honest conversations about emotional well-being, addiction, depression, anxiety, and the silent struggles many men face behind closed doors. For generations, men have often been taught to suppress pain rather than confront it, leaving many to cope in unhealthy ways. In the Chaldean community and beyond, the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction can make asking for help even more difficult.
Read MoreThe Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce PAC has steadily expanded its role in local civic life in recent months, positioning itself as a growing voice for increased transparency, accountability, and resident participation in township decision-making across West Bloomfield.
Read MoreBeginning in 2026, the month of May will officially be recognized as Chaldean American Month across Michigan, marking a historic acknowledgment of the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of Chaldean Americans throughout the state. The announcement came during a defining moment for the community.
Read MoreWhen I was in third grade, my teacher didn’t believe I was Chaldean or that my parents were Iraqi. She told me to ask them again and let her know the next day. When I went home and told my dad, he was miffed—but also understood that she may have had a different frame of reference when it came to people from the Middle East.
Read MoreAcross Michigan, green historical markers line roadsides, neighborhoods, and public spaces. They are quiet but powerful reminders of the people and places that shaped the state. Each one represents more than a moment in history; it reflects a deliberate, research-driven effort to ensure that Michigan’s diverse stories are recognized, preserved, and made visible to the public.
Read MoreOn Friday, Apr. 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Oakland University hosted the graduation ceremony for the Chaldean Language Workshop in The Habitat at the Oakland Center. Thirteen students completed the introductory and intermediate levels of Chaldean, receiving certificates of completion. This marked an achievement that was both academic and deeply cultural.
Read MoreThe new Chaldean Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield has begun welcoming community members through its doors. Using a series of thoughtfully curated programs and social gatherings aimed at introducing the public to its services, CCF West is strengthening communal bonds and encouraging meaningful engagement with its modern, multipurpose facility.
Read MoreCulture is one of the many things that we can all relate to and find community in. No matter what country or ethnicity, we are all able to celebrate where we come from in our own unique ways. One way that many cultures celebrate their heritage is with food.
Read MoreIn a historic match that ended late March 31, 2026, in Monterrey, Mexico, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 to qualify for the World Cup. With the late kickoff, the Lions of Mesopotamia officially secured their first spot since 1986, as the calendar turned to April 1 in both Michigan and Baghdad.
Read MoreDetroit’s creative pulse has always been defined by reinvention—and right now, it’s beating a little louder with the rise of Juliana Rabban. Known professionally as Just By Juliana, the 24-year-old Chaldean American artist is stepping into one of the city’s brightest spotlights yet: a high-profile collaboration with the Detroit Pistons as part of their annual 313 Day campaign, curated this year by Big Sean.
Read MoreIn the shadows of the Cold War, when global superpowers competed not only through armies but through intelligence and technology, one man of Chaldean/Assyrian ancestry made a decision that would alter the balance of power in the Middle East—and leave a lasting mark on history. His story later inspired the 1988 HBO film Steal the Sky. My wife came across it while reading about Israeli spy Eli Cohen, a story I had not previously encountered.
Read MoreMany of you may remember when I first joined the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce as an event coordinator in 2018; it was an incredible introduction to the community. As I learned more about the culture, history, and resilience of the Chaldean people, I found myself deeply inspired. By the time I began writing for the Chaldean News in 2020, that admiration had grown exponentially.
Read MoreIt is often said that “the library is the community; the community is the library.” Libraries are trusted spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and build a shared future. They serve as safe, neutral environments outside of home and work, where everyone is welcome regardless of socioeconomic status.
Read MoreOn April 23, 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce hosted its 23rd Annual Awards Dinner at Shenandoah Country Club, bringing together community leaders, business professionals, and public officials for an evening of celebration and connection. The sold-out event honored entrepreneur Saad Nadhir as Businessperson of the Year, recognizing his impact and leadership.
Read MoreIn his farewell speech of January 17, 1961, five-star General Eisenhower (Ike) warned the nation against the mounting influence and unbridled reign of a newly established “military-industrial complex.” He
Read MoreThere is a fear of the unknown—especially when it comes to raising children, and particularly when parents sense that something may be different. That is how Zena Agoubi felt when her oldest child, Owen, was not progressing past 18 months. At around two years old, she enrolled him in speech therapy because he was not really talking. The doctor suggested it could be a sign of autism and urged her to make an appointment quickly, given the long wait lists. Agoubi did just that—”just in case”—knowing her son would not get the help he needed if he did not have an official diagnosis.
Read MoreChaldean American physician and mother Dr. Mariam Shapera never set out to write children’s books—but her love of storytelling, combined with her experiences as a parent and physician, inspired her to create stories that celebrate the unique strengths of autistic children. Writing was always something she enjoyed, but her career first took her down a very different path. “As a teenager, I always loved writing fiction and poetry,” she says.
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