CECA Open Letter to the Honorable Nechirvan Barzani
President of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Violating & Desecrating the Chaldean National Flag is a Red Line!
September 16, 2025
Honorable Nechirvan Barzani
President of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
The Chaldean Educational Center of America is the oldest Chaldean Ethnic Non-profit Organization in the United States, founded in 1974 AD -7275 K.
Following the inappropriate and irresponsible incident committed by a group of Asayish during the commemoration of the victims of the Sorya Massacre “Chaldeans and Kurds” on September 16, 1969, the following question came to mind: What would Your Excellency’s reaction be, if a non-Kurdish group entered your home, tore down the flag of the KRG, threw it on the ground, and trampled on it—violating every standards of brotherhood and citizenship’s norms—not to mention the deliberate contempt for the indigenous Chaldeans? Taking into consideration that, human dignity, after all, is not measured by numbers. Whether we are ten people or ten million, human dignity is one and the same. Thus, I leave the answer to this question to Your Excellency, knowing full well that you are just and fair.
Consequently, we will not seek to escalate this matter, though we could inform the international bodies about this deliberate crime of hate and racial discrimination, i.e., the UN Indigenous People (UNDRIP), the U.S. Department of State, as well as, Mr. President Donald J. Trump’s outstanding attorney (of Chaldean origin), Alina Habba, Acting United States Attorney, and Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney General.
The Chaldean National Flag is an ethnic flag that represents our remarkable history and rich heritage. As you might know, Chaldeans are not seeking to establish a nation on any part of our ancestral homeland. We are peaceful and civilized people, but in times of hardship, no one surpasses us. Habakkuk 8:1.
Also, kindly remember that Chaldeans supported the Kurds in their plight since the Barzani family migrated from the Soviet Union in 1960 after their 1947 ordeal in Mahabad, Iran.
Likewise, we would appreciate remembering that Chaldean heroes such as Toma Tomas, Dr. Habib Sadiq Tomi, and many other Chaldeans fought by the Kurds’ side and were willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of Kurdish rights; so, do you think that the right reward for such noble sacrifices is the humiliation of our Chaldean national flag and the dignity of our people, who have always shown affection and solidarity toward the Kurds?
The humiliation of His Grace Archbishop Felix Shabi, and the attempt to run over Chaldean women because they refused to tolerate the insult to our national flag is an issue that cannot be ignored. Likewise, the contempt shown toward the Chaldean national flag—the third of the four immutable Chaldean national constants—is a “Red Line.” We do not tolerate, and we won’t allow anyone, whoever they may be, to cross it.
Therefore, let me say it with utmost frankness and clarity, a verbal apology does not satisfy us, nor is it proportionate to the gravity of the crime. We, the Chaldeans, may forgive those who offend us, but we do not forget the offense.— What is much more bitter is that it happened in our ancestral homeland!
In the interest of justice, we demand that Your Excellency put an end to such repeated violations by issuing a decree affirming respect for Chaldean symbols and Chaldean national occasions, along with a public apology from the Regional Government, since the offense against Chaldeans was committed publicly. We also demand that those involved in this crime be immediately dismissed from their positions in the Asayish forces.
Respectfully,
Dr. Amer Hanna Fatuhi, CECA President
www.ChaldeanLegacy.com
