NOTEworthy Kuriakuz Hopes to Entice Chaldean Voters John Kuriakuz said his political hopes could very well be in the hands of his district’s Chaldeans. Kuriakuz faces Lisa Brown in the August 5 Democratic primary for state representative of the 39th District, which John Kuriakuz includes West Bloomfield, Commerce and Wolverine Lake. “In the Chaldean community a lot of people believe their vote doesn’t count — but in an election of 4,000 votes, turnout has the biggest impact than in almost any other election I can think of,” said Kuriakuz, who has spent his summer going door to door soliciting support. Kuriakuz has received help from the media, picking up endorsements from the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News and the West Bloomfield Eccentric. “The better candidate … is John Kuriakuz, 28, of West Bloomfield, a holder of degrees from Stanford in international policy, economics and law, and a former aide in the office of U.S. Sen. Carl Levin,” said the Free Press. “He left a Wall Street brokerage and a legal career to run for public office. He’s young, sure, but he’s sharp, and the Legislature could use his voice as Michigan struggles to stop its exodus of young adults.” Said the Eccentric, “Our state faces dire challenges and Lansing is full of politicians who follow party directives rather than chart a course for positive change. Kuriakuz, on the other hand, would strive to be a driving force if elected … he’s done a remarkable job preparing to be a legislator. From graduating Stanford University with a master’s degree at 21 … Kuriakuz reaches goals most wouldn’t venture to begin.” The endorsements have brought more traffic to his website, www.johnkuriakuz.com, Kuriakuz said. “It gives my campaign a lot more credibility, which is one of my challenges since I am young and have not run for office before,” he said. The fact that he is Chaldean has been a between-the-lines campaign issue, Kuriakuz said. “There has been indirect mention of me not having a chance because my community typically does not vote,” he said. “Hopefully this time will be different. Every single one counts a lot; my race could come down to 20 or 30 votes. There are 4,500 registered Chaldean voters in my district — if only10 percent voted, I could win by a landslide.” A Father Shares His Anguish At the one-year anniversary of the death of his son approaches, Yousif (Joe) Hermiz is increasingly frustrated by the legal system. Arvin Hermiz, 25, was killed on September 27, 2007, by a Southfield Police officer who shot him three times. The officer had stopped Hermiz, Holy Celebration The ECRC (Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center) celebrated its second year with a Blessing Ceremony in May celebrated by Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim, seen here with Ibtihal Atisha. She is kissing an original piece of wood from Jesus’ crucifixion cross. Other relics presented by the Bishop included a stone from the ancient ruins of a church in Kukhi, Iraq. The ECRC’s theme for the year was “Martyrdom” to emphasize the role of saints and martyrs in the church. allegedly for speeding and meandering between lanes. The officer says Hermiz attempted to flee the scene and aimed his car directly at him, so he shot in self-defense. The officer was cleared of wrongdoing by the Southfield Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Yousif appealed to State Attorney General Mike Cox’s office, and the FBI; each declined to overturn the local findings. Hermiz said all he wants is for the officer to face murder or manslaughter charges. “If the cop was put on trial I would abide by the jury’s decision,” he said. “Now I tell you with confidence and the utmost certainty, I don’t trust any law enforcement agency.” Hermiz’s only remaining option may be to file a civil suit. “There is no monetary compensation that can make up for the damage they’ve done,” he said. “If they gave me the choice between 0 million and to put this cop up on criminal charges, even if the jury found him not guilty, I would discard the money in a heartbeat.” Hermiz calls the official inquiry into the incident “a classic sham investigation.” Though the officer had a video camera mounted in his car, it did not catch the actual shooting, Hermiz said. A re-creation in the parking lot where the incident occurred proved that his son was driving not faster than 12 mph, he said, and the officer had time to get out of the way of the car and to call for backup. Hermiz also takes issue with police’s claim that Arvin had a criminal background, saying he had been arrested twice before on minor marijuana charges. “I believe in my heart of hearts this was murder,” Hermiz said. “Until the day I die I will be seeking criminal charges against this cop.” A ‘Powerful’ Experience Vacation Bible School, held in July at the ECRC (Eastern Catholic Re- Evangelization Center), included 80 children and 45 volunteers in two sessions. The program had the theme “Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power.” “We taught the children about Jesus’ gift of power to be thankful, the power to help others, the power to be brave, the power to live with Him forever, and the power to tell others about God,” said Ibtihal Atisha, director of the program and ECRC secretary. “That last one is the most important because it’s about evangelization.” Learn more about the ECRC and its programs at www.ecrc.us. 16 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST2008
Iraq’s Christians Discussed at European Forum More than 100 scholars and dignitaries from Europe and the U.S. conferred in an open forum in May to discuss the state of Christianity in Europe and around the globe. The Vienna Forum 2008: “Post- Christian Europe and Resurgence of Islam” included representation from the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America (CASCA). “The conferees took note that it is indeed ironic that the West had to cope with large numbers of people from other faiths and cultures arriving exactly at the same time when there is catastrophic loss of Christian discourse, especially in the Middle East,” said Joseph Kassab of CASCA and the Chaldean Federation of America. “Talking diversity is great but it should be with more clarity, openness and reciprocity from all sides, the conferees agreed.” Europeans are worried about the gradual dissociation of Christianity from its followers, Kassab said. “In this particular discussion we suggested that such an important vacuum should be filled with displaced Iraqi Christians who do not want to return to Iraq and who are considered the most suitable. The recommendation was well received and the representatives from various European governments expressed their willingness to admit more Iraqi Christian refugees.” Attention Store Owners Coins can add up. That’s why the Chaldean Federation of America is placing canisters in local stores and businesses to benefit the Adopt-A- Refugee-Family program. Store owners who would like to participate can contact Rafed Taldo at rafedyaldo@aol.com. A Chaldean Casting Call Chaldean actors and production staff are wanted for a new feature film from Chaldean-owned Cold As Ice Productions. Lie Detector, described as a mystery with a few twists, was written by Shawn Shaman, who will also direct the film. While the story does not mention Chaldeans, the idea is to get many members of the Chaldean community involved, said Ranah Shaman, Shawn’s wife. “We will open up the first auditions to Chaldeans, and we need people for lighting, wardrobe, makeup, set design, sound, extras – every aspect,” said Ranah. The plan is to submit Lie Detector to film festivals such as Sundance and Ann Arbor. Interested persons should call Cold As Ice by September 30 at (586) 381-3813. Maliki Invites Pope to Iraq Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has invited Pope Benedict to visit Iraq, saying it would help the process of reconciliation. “We renewed our invitation for his holiness to visit Iraq. He welcomed the invitation. And we hope that he will be making the visit as soon as he can,” Reuters said Maliki told reporters after holding private talks with the pontiff at his summer residence. “His visit would represent support for the efforts of love and peace in Iraq,” he added. The late Pope John Paul wanted to visit Iraq in 2000 but was denied permission by the government of Saddam Hussein. Maliki said he and the Pope also discussed the plight of minority Christians in Iraq and the prime minister urged those who had left after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to return to help rebuild the country. People Anthony Kallabat Anthony Kallabat of Roseville has been named Portfolio Manager in the Investment Advisors division at Fifth Third Bank in Southfield. He is responsible for managing assets for high net worth personal and institutional clients. Kallabat was previously at Comerica Bank, where he was a relationship manager for retirement services. Casey Askar of Orchard Lake recently made two donations to benefit his hometown of Caro. Askar gave ,000 to Caro Community Schools to establish the Casey Askar Family Entrepreneurial Scholarship, and donated several pieces of exercise equipment to the high school where he was a varsity wrestler. He also donated 0 to Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department to aid Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans. Coach Al Boydston and Casey Askar at Caro High School. AUGUST2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 17
