NOTEworthy IRAQIS WANT
NOTEworthy IRAQIS WANT DEMOCRACY, SAYS STUDY A University of Michigan survey says more than 75 percent of Iraqis want democracy but are divided on the role of Islam in their government. The survey, involving 2,325 respondents, was conducted in November and December of 2004 with funding from National Science Foundation, but the results are just recently published in the Journal of Democracy. It said 51 percent of the respondents favored a strong link between government and religion, while 49 percent preferred a secular political system. The survey, done in collaboration with the Baghdad-based Independent Institute for Administration and Civil Society Studies, said the respondents came from Baghdad and 16 of Iraq’s 18 provinces, and included Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds in proportion to their numbers in the overall population. “The vast majority of Iraqis of all three of the country’s major ethno-religious communities expressed support for democracy over authoritarian political systems,” said Mark Tessler, lead author of the study. The study said the Kurds and Sunnis were more likely to support a secular democracy, while the Shiites, who make up 60 percent of Iraq’s population, were more likely to favor an Islamic democracy. Reprinted with permission from the Assyrian International News Agency (aina.org). IRAQ ELECTION RESULTS: SUNNIS GAIN On January 21, Sunni Arab politicians called for a government of national unity and signaled they will use their increased numbers in parliament to curb the power of rival Shiites who have claimed the biggest number of seats in the new legislature. COMING TOGETHER Students at St. Peter Seminary of Chaldean Patriarchate in Baghdad posed recently. Pictured to the left of Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly (wearing red) is his personal assistant, Fr. Basil Yaldo. Community members may remember Fr. Yaldo from the time he spent at St. Joseph Church in Troy. Official returns released January 20 from the December 15 national election confirmed that the coalition of Shiite religious parties that dominates the outgoing government had again won the biggest number of seats in the new parliament — but not enough to govern without partners. The Shiite alliance took 128 of the 275 seats, the election commission said. An alliance of two Kurdish parties allied with the Shiites in the outgoing government won 53 seats. Sunni Arabs, virtually shutout of the outgoing assembly, scored major gains, opening the door to a greater role in government for the community at the heart of the insurgency. U.S. officials are urging formation of a broadbased government of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, hoping that will lure insurgents away from violence so that U.S. and other foreign troops can go home. 16 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANK OF MICHIGAN Officers, directors and staff members gathered to mark the one-year anniversary of the Bank of Michigan. Pictured are Nick Sandiha (seated, left), Burt Kassab, Pat Gregory, George Mochmar, and Tom Linden (standing, left), Laurie Bouchillon, Tom Thompson, Martin Manna, Tony Antone, Chuck McDonald, Ron Acho and Mike Sarafa. RAFFLE GIVES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has announced Tuition Expedition 2006, a four-year college scholarship raffle. Tickets are 0 and only 1,000 will be sold. The winner will receive up to ,000 in scholarship funds for any U.S. eligible educational institution. The winning ticket will be drawn on March 11 at the Walled Lake Schools Parenting Fair (winner need not be present). Learn more at www.walledlake.k12.mi.us or call (248) 956-2069. PEOPLE Alfredo Casab has joined the Bloomfield Hills law firm of Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC, as an associate concentrating on real estate, business and corporate law. He is a board member of the Southwest Detroit Business Association and previously maintained a private practice. Tony Konja has been named 2005 Member of the Year by the Michigan Green Industry Association. Konja owns Artistic Outdoor Services and is a board member of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Alfredo Casab PINUPS Members of the Kattula family made it into the city of Sterling Heights’ new calendar for 2006. The family, shown above with others at a parade last Memorial Day, graces the month of March. Tony Konja FEBRUARY 2006 CHALDEAN NEWS 17
