Assyrians in Chicago concerned about internally displaced in Iraq and Syria

An internally displaced child sleeps on the floor of St. Joseph’s Church in Arbil, Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Allen Kakony/A Demand For Action) — An internally displaced child sleeps on the floor of St. Joseph’s Church in Arbil, Iraq. *(Photo courtesy of Allen Kakony/A Demand For Action)*

Chicago-area Assyrians are seeking ways to help their brethren in Iraq and Syria. Territorial expansion by Islamic radicals, know as ISIS, or the Islamic State, has caused devastation and displacement of the region’s indigenous Assyrians, who are Christians. And now they face a brutal winter.

Assyrians in Chicago also are worried that their distinct culture and language may not survive in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

“It breaks my heart in multiple ways,” said Sargon Yaro, a high school math teacher and deacon of Rogers Park’s Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, Saint George’s Cathedral. “First, as a people, being evicted from a place that belongs to us. Being the indigenous people [of Iraq], we not only get evicted, they take our churches.”

Judge keeps Aurora man accused of trying to join al-Qaida in jail

A federal judge ruled Thursday that Abdella Ahmad Tounisi should remain in jail until his trial on terrorism charges. (Photo provided by his family) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that Abdella Ahmad Tounisi should remain in jail until his trial on terrorism charges. *(Photo provided by his family)*

A federal judge decided Thursday to keep an Aurora man in custody on charges he intended to join and provide material support to an al-Qaida affiliate in Syria.

Sporting a shaved-head and shackled at the feet, Abdella Ahmad Tounisi, 20, did not react after U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan’s ruling. Tounisi has been in custody since April 2013 when he tried to board a flight to Turkey at O’Hare International Airport. According to the FBI, Tounisi was set on joining Jabhat al-Nusrah, a group associated with al-Qaida. Tounisi revealed his intentions in email exchanges with FBI agents, who posed as jihadist recruiters on a fake website.

Chicago Archdiocese releases second round of documents related to sex abuse claims

A 1991 letter from Archbishop Bernardin to Rev. James Ray, informing Ray that he has been formally removed as associate pastor of Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda. At bottom right, an inset of Ray’s vitae card showing his past positions. (Photo of… — A 1991 letter from Archbishop Bernardin to Rev. James Ray, informing Ray that he has been formally removed as associate pastor of Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda. At bottom right, an inset of Ray’s vitae card showing his past positions. *(Photo of Ray courtesy of Bishop-Accountability.org. Records courtesy of the Archdiocese of Chicago)*

In an attempt to give his successor as clean a slate as possible, Cardinal Francis George voluntarily released documentation surrounding decades worth of sex abuse Thursday morning. Archbishop-Designate Blase Cupich will assume authority over the Chicago Archdiocese on Nov. 18, at which point George’s 17-year term will end.

“We are committed to transparency with the people we serve,” George said in a news release issued Thursday. “We cannot change the past but we hope we can rebuild trust through honest and open dialogue. Child abuse is a crime and a sin. The Archdiocese of Chicago is concerned first and foremost with bringing healing to abuse victims.”

Brad Schneider gives concession speech, thanks supporters for hard work

Brad Schneider with wife, Julie, and sons Daniel and Adam during his concession speech on Tuesday night. (Photo by Ramsen Shamon) — Brad Schneider with wife, Julie, and sons Daniel and Adam during his concession speech on Tuesday night. *(Photo by Ramsen Shamon)*

Democrat Brad Schneider has lost his congressional seat in Illinois’ 10th Congressional District to Republican Robert Dold. “Tonight’s not the end, these issues aren’t going away, and come tomorrow I hope to see you all on the front lines fighting for the middle class, fighting for equal rights, fighting for the promise that all of our kids will have a better future than our parents gave to us,” Schneider said to cheers at his election party in Northbrook’s Hilton Hotel.

Pilgrim Baptist Church still trying to figure things out after 2006 fire

Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago’s Bronzeville was destroyed by fire in 2006 and parishioners hope to rebuild. “Churches are sometimes the last place where help comes. We have the faith. That’s what it takes,” said Robert Vaughn, Pilgrim trustee ch… — Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago’s Bronzeville was destroyed by fire in 2006 and parishioners hope to rebuild. “Churches are sometimes the last place where help comes. We have the faith. That’s what it takes,” said Robert Vaughn, Pilgrim trustee chairman. *(Photo by Ramsen Shamon)*

What is left of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood stands fenced in, its limestone façade is supported by white bracings. A tattered church sign with bold blue lettering hangs with no upcoming events listed. The peaceful yet eerie nature of the church can be attributed to a fire that happened eight years ago while workers renovated its roof.

On Sundays, Pilgrim parishioners worship across the street from the historic church at 3300 S. Indiana Ave. Services are held on the first floor of a multi-story building owned by the church. The second floor of the building has offices and a spacious room where church members arrange breakfasts and tea parties. Worshippers dress in their Sunday best, sing songs and clap along to hymns. A cross with illustrations of four doves is painted on a wall that faces the flock.

Chicago’s archbishop residence, a gem on the Gold Coast

The current residence of Chicago’s archbishop located at 1555 N. State Parkway. (Photo by Ramsen Shamon) — The current residence of Chicago’s archbishop located at 1555 N. State Parkway. *(Photo by Ramsen Shamon)*

It would be a dream listing: Unparalleled Victorian residence with three-stories, 19 chimneys and 30 rooms located in Chicago’s luxurious Gold Coast. Sophisticated red-brick construction with two-entry façades. Share a piece of history with renowned visitors like Pope John Paul II. Complete with a small chapel and 1.7 acres of priceless lakefront property.

Although 1555 N. State Parkway, the residence of Chicago’s Catholic archbishop, is not on the market yet, some real estate agents could not help thinking about what it might be worth. The speculation comes one day after Chicago’s newly appointed Archbishop Blase J. Cupich said he would not live in the mansion. Instead he will reside more modestly in a three-room residence at Holy Name Cathedral one mile to the south.

U of I criticized for revoking job offer over anti-Israel tweets

“If I had a regret it’s that the tweets let people to think that I support things like anti-Semitism that I am adamantly opposed to,” Steven Salaita said Wednesday at Columbia College. (Photo by Ramsen Shamon) — “If I had a regret it’s that the tweets let people to think that I support things like anti-Semitism that I am adamantly opposed to,” Steven Salaita said Wednesday at Columbia College. *(Photo by Ramsen Shamon)*

Professor Steven Salaita had given notice to Virginia Tech University that he was accepting a teaching position with the University of Illinois when he sent out a tweet criticizing Israel for killing children in Gaza. The University of Illinois rescinded its teaching offer and now finds itself under fire for its decision from those that believe it violated both Salaita’s academic freedom and freedom of speech.

Salaita told an audience Wednesday at Columbia College that the university cared more about offending donors than upholding his First Amendment rights. He also accused the University of Illinois of supporting Israel in its conflict with Palestinians.

“Siding with Israel isn’t necessarily about making money; it’s also about political ambition and conformity–in other words, about maintaining the status quo. It’s about keeping power consolidated among the elite,” Salaita said at the event organized by the Students for Justice in Palestine.

Chicago Area Buddhists React to Ongoing Persecution in Myanmar

Ko Un ready to greet admirers at the Chicago Public Library, Thursday Oct. 2, 2014. (Photo by Ramsen Shamon) — Ko Un ready to greet admirers at the Chicago Public Library, Thursday Oct. 2, 2014. *(Photo by Ramsen Shamon)*

The Rohingya people of Myanmar in Southeast Asia are considered to be among the world’s most persecuted refugees. Making up less than 5 percent of the country’s population, the Rohingya, who are Muslim, are largely confined to refugee camps and many have been sold into slavery. Religious persecution is nothing new, but the fact that it is Buddhists who are persecuting the Rohingya has caused many to rethink the religion’s commitment to peace and nonviolence.

Some Chicago-area Buddhists are outraged about what is going on half way across the world and say they are concerned with how extremists are using the name of Buddhism to persecute another religious group.