noteworthy
noteworthy Discrimination Case Drags On Testimony has been completed in a Chaldean employee’s civil rights discrimination case against the regional bus system SMART and briefs are due September 4. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has already found that Mazyn Barash was harassed and insulted at his SMART job. The hearings, held in March and April, are to determine if he will be compensated and if the harassers will be fired. The case originated in April 2004 when Barash quit his mechanic job after being repeatedly insulted by coworkers, who called him “raghead” and “towelhead” and made remarks such as “kill all Iraqis” and “where’s my camel?” He also received a threatening letter after the Iraq War started. Barash said his supervisors ignored the harassment. In June 2006, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission ruled that Barash suffered unlawful discrimination. “This is more than a story, it’s a book,” Barash told the Chaldean News. “It’s taken a great toll. The process itself is exhausting. Having to relive it every time brings it back.” Barash said besides compensation, he wants to see those responsible for his harassment fired from SMART. “It seems the system is set up to give you money and you forget about it,” he said. “This is not about money. I take discrimination very seriously. I want justice.” Matthew Naimi Chaldean Throws Hat into Council Ring The crowded field of 168 candidates for Detroit City Council includes one Chaldean — Matthew Naimi — though he is not making an issue of his ethnicity. “I wouldn’t say I’m downplaying it but I’m not focusing on race — I’m the green candidate,” he said. “I choose not to bring up race at all — I learned a little lesson from Barack Obama on that one.” Naimi, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, has lived in Detroit since 1998. The founder of Recy-clean Services, he has been instrumental in bringing recycling to the city starting with drop-off facilities in 2007. This year, a pilot program with curbside pickup at 30,000 homes was launched. To date, more than 2.5 million pounds of recycling material has been collected at a Recycle Here! drop-off spot. Naimi pledges to increase recycling, reduce blight, implement council districts and create an agriculture zoning system in Detroit. He said his environmental stance helps him stand out from the crowd of council candidates. “My message is completely different,” he said. “This is a critical time for Detroit to latch onto the green economy, and I can help them do that.” The August 4 primary election will select 18 candidates to move forward to the general election in November. Learn more about Naimi’s candidacy at www. vote4growth.com. To Russia with Love Mother of God Church is planning a trip to Russia and Priestly Welcome Georgia in celebration of the new Mar Shemoon Bar Sabbaai Chaldean Assyrian Church, which will be dedicated on October 17. The semi-pilgrimage runs from October 9-20 and includes stops in St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia and Tbilisi, Kande and Gardbani in Georgia. The cost is ,988 based on double occupancy. Learn more by calling Mother of God Church at (248) 356-0565. Got Your Ticket? A car raffle to benefit Camp Chaldean is taking place at Mother of God Church. Tickets are (six for ) and the grand prize is a new 2009 BMW X3. The winning ticket Recent Community Deaths Najiba Estephan Chika July 20, 2009 Nabeel Hermiz Gabbara July 12, 2009 Talal G. Samona July 9, 2009 Hani Yousif Yaldko Tomika July 7, 2009 Kamila Tobia Ketty June 30, 2009 Fouad Yacoub Facho June 24, 2009 will be pulled on Sunday, August 23, at the Chaldean Music Festival at Camp Brighton. Call (248) 356-0565 to buy tickets. The Chaldean Church has a new priest, Fr. Rudy Zoma, seen here with Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim at his recent ordination mass. Fr. Zoma begins his official duties on August 1 at St. Joseph Church in Troy. 10 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2009
Community Bulletin Board A Feeling of Security Firas Najah Khammo (right) of Oak Park has graduated as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and landed a job as an officer for Homeland Security. Proud parents and family are Najah & Layla Khamo and Samer & Nashwa Mishkoor. Sing It Out! We all know our community is filled with unsung heroes – those who do so much for so many, but receive little recognition. Please tell us about an unsung hero for a future issue of the Chaldean News. Send a brief (50 words or less) description of the person, along with your name and phone number, to: info@ chaldeannews.com, or write to Chaldean News, 29850 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034. They Are the Champions Congratulations to the crew from 7 Bar and Grille in Southfield. They defeated the (seemingly invincible) L.A. Insurance foursome for the first time ever at the annual Chaldean Community Foundation Golf Outing in June. Civic Servant Sharon Hannawa has been appointed to the Southfield Total Living Commission for a three-year term. The commission is comprised of volunteers who make recommendations to City Council to promote Southfield as a place in which to live, work, raise and educate a family. Hannawa is also a board member on the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Gala Night The organization For Victims of War and Poverty held a fundraising gala on June 18 at the Farmington Hills Manor. Keynote speaker was Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaida’ie. FVWP President and CEO Nidhal Garmo is pictured here receiving an award from Hassan Mumdouh, president of the World Master Trades of New York. Sunday in the Park St. George held its annual picnic on June 21, thanks to the efforts of the many volunteers pictured here. Held at the Knights of Columbus Park, the event was coordinated by the church’s Social Committee, which includes Eddie Babbie, Nahla Sesi, Ray Watha, Diana Brikho and Jason Hanoush. Legal Eagles The Chaldean American Bar Association has elected new officers. Pictured are Lydia A. Deddeh, Secretary; Krystal D. Hermiz, President; Chanelle Namou, Treasurer; and David S. Senawi, Vice President. Also on the board are Laurel B. Acho, Brian F. Garmo, Tim J. Yousif and Randy M. Awdish. Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Send it to Chaldean News, 29850 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, or e-mail info@chaldeannews.com. AUGUST 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 11
