Amidst ongoing tragedy in the Christian communities of the Middle East, the local community will have a chance to connect with a representative from Iraq on Thursday as the local chapter of the Assyrian Democratic Movement is hosting Yonadam Kanna. Kanna is a member of Iraqi parliament and the Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement.

“He is the Christian representative in the Iraqi Parliament and with all of the events that are taking place in Iraq and Syria concerning Assyrian Christians, he will be speaking with updates on conditions and what is happening first hand,” said Director the Assyrian Democratic Movement in California Fred Isaac. “Also, he will speak about which measures are being taken and what they may need to help the situation.”

Kanna previously visited Turlock in 2010 during his campaign for parliament in which he was seeking the support of Iraq’s ex-patriots that were still eligible to vote in the election. He had been an outspoken critic of Sadaam Hussein and in 2006 his convoy came under attack while traveling through Baghdad.

Kanna will be speaking at the Assyrian American Civic Club at 7 p.m. on Thursday and the event is open to the public.