‘a special place’
‘a special place’ Nineveh governor appeals for help from Chaldean Americans By Weam Namou Atheel Al Najafi made his first trip to the U.S. in October. Arriving at Knights of Columbus in Sterling Heights after 10 p.m. on October 23 due to a flight delay – an hour and a half after he was scheduled to speak – Atheel Al Najafi, governor of Nineveh Province, said he was happy to finally visit Michigan during his first trip to the U.S. “It was always my wish to see the Iraqi community in Detroit,” said the Chaldean, “but I didn’t have the right connections to do so until I met Asaad Kalasho.” Al Najafi, along with Kalasho, president of the American Iraqi Business Group, and Sam Yono, the group’s chairman, attended the U.S.- Iraq Business Summit held a few days earlier in Washington, D.C. It is there that Kalasho and Yono invited Al Najafi to come to Detroit and describe the current economic situation and the investment and business opportunities available in Nineveh Province. “Mosul is a special place,” he said. “But in the last six years it has gone through many hardships and was deprived of the help it deserved.” Al Najafi blamed the previous leadership for having lost the Nineveh Province because they simply behaved as “observers.” Now that he is in power, he plans to rebuild the area. Although he said he takes responsibility for what happens in Mosul, he believes that Christian Iraqi-Americans also have a responsibility. “This is not an obligation,” he stressed. “Rather it’s our love and link to our culture. One word from you can affect the decisions made by U.S. forces, our work and progress, and thus help a child stay off the streets.” Al Najafi claims that since he has entered office in January 2009, most problem makers have left Nineveh and some crimes have vanished. Still, Iraqi-Americans are skeptical – largely due to the theft they keep hearing about. A few years ago, a politician stole all of the province’s money – a sum of 0 million. The fact that he is now in jail brings little comfort. People want to know, when will the corruption end? “We’ve simplified the investigation process in order to more quickly undo the web of theft,” said Al Najafi, giving a recent example where his party discovered an organization was stealing million a month. Unfortunately, that example didn’t put people at ease. “How can I feel good about dealing with you, how can I trust to put my hard-earned savings in these regions when everyone there is accused of theft?” asked one attendee. “As an American investor you do not depend on Iraqi politicians but a legal agreement between Iraq and photo by weam namou the United States,” said Al Najafi. “You’re protected by the U.S.” He further explained that while the leadership is constantly changing in Iraq, the present law of the land is not. Al Najafi believes that once U.S. troops leave, people will better accept commerce with America. Yet improvements have already started, he said. Today there are a lot of opportunities with small and large projects in tourism, agriculture and commerce. Encouraging people to return to Nineveh Province and start anew, Al Najafi used his own family as a model. They went back to Iraq after having lived in Jordan for five years. “There’s a fear built in people that makes them feel they’re in danger,” he said. “But I’m confident that whoever returns will not face threats.” But how does he plan to ensure that those who return find a home and jobs? Al Najafi asserted that anyone deprived from their property can file a complaint and get it back. On October 22, he said, there was a judgment for 42 homes that were taken by the U.S. army to be returned to their rightful owners. He is also working to have all home property in Mosul belong only to Nineveh natives. Despite his claims and vision, people wonder if anyone will go live or invest in Nineveh when all the prominent people have left. Iraq was famous for its educated people, some said. Today, it’s notorious for its ignorant people. Al Najafi is much more optimistic. “Three years ago I met a man who asked, ‘Where’s Mosul and its people?’ I thought, he is right. But I told him, ‘We’ll be back.’” 6061 Haggerty Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 tel. 248-438-6098 w w w . a l l u r e s h o w r o o m . c o m 35% off any one item through november 30, 2009 Must present coupon. Name Brands for MENWomen and 26 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2009
a victim’s advocate Prosecutor Hala Jarbou fights for justice By Joyce Wiswell Hala Jarbou has been a prosecutor for nearly 12 years. Hala Jarbou takes her work personally. As an Oakland County assistant prosecuting attorney, Jarbou is often the last chance for victims of crime to find justice. “When you are a prosecutor you are advocating for and protecting the rights of victims. It’s one of the most important things you can do,” she said. “You can’t walk out of the office and shut the door to that. You do take it home with you.” That means juggling a large caseload and often working after hours. “We don’t have typical days – the trial and court schedule dictates everything else,” she said. “There is a lot of after-hours and weekend work. I don’t think I’ve ever worked just a 40-hour week. I average at least 60 or more.” December marks 12 years since Jarbou, 38, joined the prosecutor’s office. A native of Oak Park and current resident of West Bloomfield, she studied law at Wayne State University. “I don’t have any attorneys in the immediate family but I was always attracted to law and fairly soon after getting into it, I became attracted to prosecution,” Jarbou said. “I did an internship with the photo by David Reed Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and kind of got hooked.” In January, Jarbou was promoted to the Major Crimes Unit, where she works on homicides, armed robberies and assaults with attempt to murder – all capital crimes that are punishable by up to life in prison. Before that, she spent three and a half years in the Child Sexual Assault Unit often dealing with wrenching cases. “Most cases tend to be someone the child knows, a family member, family friend or coach,” she said. “They don’t tend to be complete strangers. Those are touching cases with far-reaching effects on the whole family.” Those cases and their victims still hold a special place in her heart, Jarbou said. “Once you prosecute you have a special bond with those victims and advocacy for those types of cases,” she said. Now Jarbou’s focus is often on finding justice for people who have been murdered. “There is nothing you can say to a family, you just have to make sure you do your job and the offender is held accountable,” she said. “For most families, it’s one step in the closure process but not the be all, end all.” Despite her best efforts, sometimes a defendant who seems obviously guilty gets away scot free with acquittal. “It is devastating for the victim and the victim’s family, and also for the prosecutors who are the advocates of the victims,” Jarbou said. “But our system is the way it is. It is the best in the world but that does not mean it is not flawed.” Jarbou wishes citizens called for jury duty would view it as a privilege, not a burden. “We all want good people on juries. Those people trying to get out of it are the ones we want to stay. It can be viewed as an inconvenience, but it’s a great thing to participate in.” One of the biggest surprises for jury members is the often slow pace of a trial. “I tell them that it’s not like it is on TV, with everything wrapped up in a nice little box and every question answered,” Jarbou said. “You don’t have fingerprints or DNA in every case. Real life isn’t as exciting as TV.” Diane Dickow D’Agostini, chief justice of the 48th District Court, said she appreciates Jarbou’s professionalism. “Hala Jarbou is a dedicated prosecutor who is passionate about representing the victims of crime,” D’Agostini said. “She is very respected in her field and her efforts as an assistant prosecutor have contributed to a safer community.” Will Jarbou follow in the footsteps of D’Agostini, the Chaldean community’s only judge in Michigan? “I haven’t thought of anything political; I like the advocacy part,” Jarbou said. “Never say never, but right now I am perfectly happy with what I am doing.” FREE Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic Especially for the Chaldean Community 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009 Karmanos Cancer Center 31995 Northwestern Highway Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Questions: Call 248-538-4749 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Early detection is crucial. The PSA, prostate specific antigen, is a simple blood test that saves lives. If you are 50 or older, stop by for your free PSA test. LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED NOVEMBER 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
