As the Detroit Free Press recently reported, the city of Sterling Heights, Michigan announced a “Sister City” initiative with Ankawa, Kurdistan. This initiative will help to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the KRG and the many ethnic Chaldeans who call Sterling Heights home.

Ankawa, a district in Erbil, is home to the Christian community, particularly the Assyrians and Chaldeans. Ankawa is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, where various cultures and traditions coexist harmoniously. Similarly, Sterling Heights is renowned for its multicultural population, with a blend of different ethnicities and backgrounds contributing to its vibrant community. In both places, diversity and coexistence is a cherished aspect of daily life.

A senior delegation from the KRG, including the Mayor of Ankawa, Mr. Rami Noori Syawish, and KRG Representative to the United States, H.E. Treefa Aziz, participated at the signing ceremony, hosted by the Chaldean Community Foundation. Special thanks to Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor and the President of the Chaldean Community Foundation and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, Martin Mana for leading this successful partnership.  

The Kurdistan Region has a proud tradition of embracing diversity and welcoming people of all backgrounds, and through this partnership we will continue our commitment to build bridges across borders and embrace unity on all fronts.