In September, The Return travelled to the United States, home to the largest community of the Iraqi Christian diaspora, with more than half a million people. The visit brought the organisation together with leaders of the Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac community and with decision-makers from both the American and Iraqi administrations.
Chicago: repatriation on the convention agenda
At the 93rd Assyrian Convention in Chicago, the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF) hosted a panel dedicated to the returning movement, where five figures of the returning movement spoke alongside The Return’s President Dilan Adamat. The discussion with the audience covered both the opportunities and the challenges of return. Giving the subject a place at one of the community’s main annual gatherings reflects a growing interest in return across the diaspora and a much welcome of the AANF.
Strengthening ties between the diaspora and Iraq
In Detroit and Chicago, The Return met Martin Manna, President of the Chaldean Foundation and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, and Robert DeKelaita, President of the Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce. These were important discussions on the situation in Iraq and on the role the diaspora can play in the country’s future. Both leaders are already deeply engaged in strengthening the links between the community abroad and the homeland, and these exchanges open promising prospects for joint work.
The tour was also an opportunity to meet many other organisations and individuals committed to the community, in the United States and beyond, including returnees, advocacy groups and young community leaders. These meetings confirmed a shared willingness to work together constructively on the question of return.
Washington DC
In Washington, The Return met several members of Congress, as well as the US State Department, to discuss the situation in Iraq, the position of its Christian community, and the conditions for a safer and more prosperous country. A separate meeting with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) addressed religious freedom and the situation of Christians in Iraq.
The Return was also received at the Embassy of Iraq by the new Ambassador, His Excellency Krikor Der-Hagopian, to discuss the Iraqi government’s plans to facilitate the return of its Christian citizens. A meeting with Her Excellency Treefa Aziz, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Representative to the United States, covered the Region’s efforts to support coexistence and future cooperation with The Return.
A mission on several fronts
The Return’s work operates on several levels. On the ground, the organisation supports returnees individually throughout their journey. At the same time, it works to create the conditions that will make return possible for the wider diaspora and bring lasting prosperity to all communities in the homeland. This requires sustained advocacy, both in Iraq and abroad.
The Return warmly thanks everyone who made these meetings possible, as well as the individuals, organisations and decision-makers who are working for the crucial cause of return.
