DOHUK, Iraq (AP) — Members of Iraqi security forces and displaced people living in camps, including minority Yazidis, cast their ballots Sunday in early voting ahead of this week's parliamentary election in Iraq. The election, which will help determine whether Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani gets a second term, comes against the backdrop of fears of another conflict between Israel and Iran, and Iraq’s balancing act with Tehran and Washington.

Sterling Heights formally welcomed four new police officers and four firefighter/EMTs in October 2025. These officers were officially sworn in on October 7 by Police Chief Andrew Satterfield before the Sterling Heights City Council, marking the beginning of their careers serving the community. The four officers (as introduced) were Tyler Secluna, Miranda Diaowd, Adam Mays and Andy Cafritzas.

High school students Charlize Sitto and Elinor Jwaydah turned their personal experiences with asthma into an innovative awareness campaign for kids and families. What began as frustration and confusion over a misunderstood condition became Lung Quest—a colorful board game that teaches asthma management through play—and Breathe Boost, a digital platform and app offering kid-friendly tips, demos, and resources.

Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen came alive with the aromas of Takhratha during the CCF West’s first cooking demonstration with Anmar Sarafa. In each class, students team up with fellow food lovers, learn from talented Chaldean community members, and create authentic dishes in a fun, hands-on environment.

Balance and Breathe classes for caregivers and adults 60 years and up takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 11:30am-12:15pm at CCF in Sterling Heights (3601 15 Mile Rd.) now through March 2026. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:00am.

CCF West hosted a special Movie Night for adults with special needs and their families — featuring Disney’s Hocus Pocus! Guests enjoyed a cozy theater experience with friends, snacks, and lots of laughter.

On October 10, the CCF in Sterling Heights welcomed Turning Point for an all-staff training focused on the cultural aspects of the Chaldean community. Turning Point empowers survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through comprehensive services and resources while advocating for community action to end oppression and violence.

November calls us to pause — to gather with loved ones, share a meal, and give thanks for the blessings that surround us. For the Chaldean community, gratitude runs deeper than a single season. It is rooted in faith, family, and tradition — values that have carried the community through hardship and continue to illuminate its future. This month, we celebrate that spirit through stories that reflect generosity, perseverance, and pride in heritage.

“Art and architecture have long inspired one another, each shaping imagination, innovation, and cultural memory.” Visitors to the new Chaldean Community Foundation building in West Bloomfield, CCF West, are greeted by a vibrant collection of artworks celebrating faith, culture, and history. The walls feature depictions of the Freedom Monument, King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Martyrs Wall, the Tree of Life, the Ishtar and Sennacherib Gates, and more. Many of these works were commissioned by the CCF and brought to life by artist Reni Stephan.

Old bridges and arches are living monuments that carry the weight of history. They are not merely structures to cross rivers and roads—they have facilitated communication, trade, and human interaction between friends and foes alike. Over time, they have shaped culture, geography, and historical memory. Few bridges illustrate this as vividly as Pira Dalal, or the Dalal Bridge, in Zakho, northern Iraq.

We may be thousands of miles away from our homeland, but the essence of who we are shouldn’t fade with distance. For Chaldean Americans including myself and many others – children of immigrants, either born or raised in a new world – our existence is defined by an ongoing struggle between embracing the culture we inhabit and holding on to our identity. We are fortunate to live in a country that has given us opportunity, safety, and freedom, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. Yet, amid the beauty of assimilation, we should always remember the subtle, strong reminders of our origins.

Long before a student steps into a courtroom or writes their first brief, there is a moment of realization that something within them is meant for this path. It might come from witnessing an injustice or from the understanding that words have power when used to defend what is right. Within the Chaldean community, that moment carries profound meaning. It grows from generations who built their lives on faith and perseverance, and who believed that success means nothing unless it uplifts others.

When President Donald Trump appointed Mark Savvaya as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq, it sent ripples through the Chaldean Community. Savaya is a familiar face in the Detroit area, in part because of his businesses’ billboards that included his own likeness. As an entrepreneur, Savaya’s Chaldean roots and outspoken nature have made him a visible part of Michigan’s business—and more recently, political—landscape.

On September 7, 2025, in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV canonized a teenager laid to rest in a blue tracksuit and a pair of Nike sneakers. Saint Carlo Acutis—born in 1991 and returned to the bosom of the Lord at just 15—was declared a saint alongside now Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.

The Shenandoah Young Adult Committee (YAC) has become one of the most active sub-committees within Shenandoah Country Club. Established in 2021, the committee was created with a powerful mission to bring the youth of Shenandoah together and strengthen the bond of community among the next generation of members. 

After the COVID pandemic, career restauranteur Joe Sheena found himself stressed out and out of shape. His company, Pizza Papalis, had been bustling since 1986. But the pandemic slowed business and Pizza Papalis was forced to scale back some of its 20 locations and do “uncomfortable things” from a business perspective.

One of the many ways we connect through our culture is through language. The Chaldean people have spoken Syriac, or Sureth, for thousands of years. Many of our words trace back to ancient times, when Akkadian and Sumerian were widely spoken across our ancestral communities.

A growing interest in healthy eating has made Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and falafel commonplace in recent years.. However, one particular dish — a staple across the Middle East for literally thousands of years — remains far less known in the West: Bulgur is a grain dish that has sustained the human race for millennia. In Chaldean homes, it is known as Gurgur.

When his time comes, Aiden Atisha will be ready. Ready to be the starting goalie for the Detroit Catholic Central High School boys soccer team next year when he’s a senior, if he’s selected. Ready to play college soccer, if he chooses to extend his career in the sport beyond high school.

With Southeast Michigan slammed by an unusually wet summer and record-setting storms, many homeowners are finding themselves knee-deep—literally—in basement water. For Thomas Kejbou and Gus Aboona, co-owners of a small restoration company launched in 2023, this flood season has brought more than just business. It’s brought purpose.

Headaches are common in children and are usually not serious, though they can be disruptive. More than 70% of kids report experiencing a significant headache by age 15. Migraine headaches affect about 10% of children between ages 5 and 15 and 28% of teens between 15 and 19. Headaches in children can generally be categorized into three types: tension, migraine, and cluster headaches.

On Friday, September 26, the CCF celebrated their 7th Annual Awards Gala at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. With more than 700 guests in attendance, the CCF celebrated an evening dedicated to service, culture, and unity. Hungary Helps was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for their steadfast commitment to persecuted Christians worldwide, including those in Iraq and the Chaldean community.

The Chaldean liturgical year begins with Subara (Advent) and ends with Qudash ’Aita—the Sanctification of the Church. As the final four-week season of the year, it gathers everything we have celebrated into one proclamation: the Church belongs to Christ, is the Bride of Christ, and is sanctified by Him.

Jonny “Magic” Mansour, 25, is a boxer on the rise. His Instagram account names him “God’s Chosen Warrior,” and he’s currently 5-0 in the ring. He recently had the opportunity to visit the land of his ancestors; his parents are both from Alqosh in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq.

The Chaldean Community Foundation will partner again with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the 2026 National Civics Bee® to the community. This nationwide, nonpartisan competition gives 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the chance to showcase their ideas, sharpen their civics knowledge, and compete for prizes — all while making a difference in their communities.

As the leaves begin to turn and we enter the season of harvest, we find ourselves reflecting on what it means to preserve—and fight for—what we value most. Harvest is more than just a gathering of crops; it’s a moment of reckoning—a time to gather the fruits of labor, memory, and intention.

The treatment of immigrants in the United States, whether legal or illegal, has become increasingly harsh. Policies have shifted from being pragmatic to punitive. There is an effort to dehumanize the undocumented. This cruelty carries negative consequences not only for immigrants, but also for their children, spouses, our society and ultimately, the moral and economic fabric of our nation.

On September 8, the CCF welcomed back their Little Scholars students as they started their new journeys in Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. Little Scholars Preschool for ages 3-4 supports early learning through songs, stories, and movement while building language, early literacy, pre-math, social skills, independence, and confidence.

New tenants to Tigris Tower were met on Friday, September 19—move-in day—with a welcome package including, “bread – so that this house may never know hunger; spice – so your life will always have flavor; and wine – that joy and prosperity may reign forever.”

On September 3, the Chaldean Community Foundation welcomed nearly 100 eager job seekers ready to take the next step in their career journeys. With polished resumes in hand and interview skills prepped, attendees made meaningful connections and explored exciting opportunities.