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.
Former 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).
Summertime 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.
June 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.
The 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.
Beginning 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.
When 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.
Across 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.
On 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.
The 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.
Culture 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.
In 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.
Detroit’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.
In 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.
Many 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.
It 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.
On 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.
In 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
There 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.
Chaldean 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.
Imagine stepping into a place where you can do it all: explore the town center of ancient Babylon; touch the stele bearing Hammurabi’s Code of Laws; enter a sacred space and hear Aramaic spoken just as it was in the days of Christ; visit a Chaldean village in the Nineveh Plain in the early 20th century; travel to America and glimpse the New York skyline as early pioneers saw it from Ellis Island; feel the pride of standing inside a 1930s grocery store as a Chaldean entrepreneur builds his place in Detroit’s business community; and discover how Chaldeans today are expanding their professional horizons. How is all this possible? Welcome to the Chaldean Cultural Center and its Museum.
Everyone knows the goal of going to college and earning a degree is to gain the education needed to find a job after graduation. One key part of that journey is securing an internship. Internships help students build connections in the workforce, gain professional experience in their chosen field, and strengthen their resumes. They’re not just important—they’ve become almost essential to the college experience, especially in today’s competitive job market.
In West Bloomfield, Michigan, a city home to one of the largest Chaldean populations in the country, Officer Zena Dailey occupies a unique position. She is the only female Chaldean police officer in the city, navigating a profession that is still growing in diversity while representing both her community and women in law enforcement. Her story is one of dedication, service, and the quiet but powerful impact of representation.
Dr. Adhid Miri has lived many lives in one—scientist, educator, entrepreneur, historian, cultural preservationist, and, for Chaldean News readers, one of its most trusted and thoughtful voices. To read his work is to travel across centuries and continents, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Michigan, guided by a man who understands both the chemistry of molecules and the chemistry of people.
For anyone who knew Nuha Arabo, one thing was immediately clear: she had a presence that could light up any room. Her smile was constant, her laughter contagious, and her warmth made people feel instantly at ease. Whether surrounded by family or greeting someone for the first time, Nuha had a natural kindness that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Nicholas, better known as Nini, made life louder, funnier, and more interesting. His heart was huge, and anyone lucky enough to know him always felt that. Nini was notorious for chasing adventure and making all of our adventures that much better. Nini was the fearless one, the adventurous one, and the witty one who always had the perfect comebacks. He was the best arguer to do it. I know, because we argued a lot… and he always won.
Never doubt Logan Hamama. Ever. When he was a student-athlete at Birmingham Brother Rice High School, his work ethic, drive and determination earned the former part-time player the starting point guard job on the star-studded boys basketball team when he was a senior.
April is National Minority Health Month, highlighting the health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority groups. By understanding the social determinants of health impacting Chaldeans, both physicians and patients can encourage preventive care and improve outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about a quarter have it under control.
April invites us to slow down, listen more closely, and widen our understanding. As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, this issue is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: every story, every mind, and every path deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, an alert went out across West Bloomfield: active shooter in the area. Schools and organizations went immediately into lockdown—no one in or out. Those inside were told to shelter in place as police raced to potential targets. An attack was underway at Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, but it was unclear if the assailant acted alone.
