Community Marks a Year Since Palestinian-American Boy’s Slaying: “We Were All Killed That Day”

A Year of Mourning and Advocacy

When 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy Wadee Alfayoumi was stabbed to death in October 2023 in an alleged hate crime, it sent shockwaves of grief and outrage through the Muslim and Palestinian communities. As the community marks a year since his killing, Wadee’s father, Odai Alfayoumi, spoke at a remembrance ceremony, saying, "We were all killed that day."

"It was as though the Muslim community itself had been stabbed," said Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who attended the ceremony at the Muslim Community Center in Albany Park.

Wadee was fatally stabbed on October 14, 2023, inside his family’s home in Plainfield Township. His mother, Hanan Shaheen, was also injured in the attack. The family’s landlord, Joseph Czuba, has been charged with the slaying.

Zipping through grief, Wadee’s family and community has focused on advocacy and remembrance, with a series of events and statements from government officials and human rights organizations marking the one-year anniversary of his killing.

A Call to Action

Wadee’s father, Odai Alfayoumi, urged the community to continue fighting against hate and Islamophobia, saying, "The fact that his son is not forgotten means for him that in the end victory is ours. He also says that his son, if he has to be taken, let him be a sacrifice for Gaza, because in Gaza children are being taken every single day by the same forces of hate and dehumanization."

A Year of Sorrow and Resolve

As the community marks a year since Wadee’s killing, his family and community remain resilient in the face of grief and tragedy. They continue to advocate for greater understanding and action against hate and Islamophobia, and to honor Wadee’s memory.

Conclusion

As the Muslim community marks a year since Wadee’s killing, they remember his brief life and the senseless violence that took his life. They also recommit to fighting against hate and Islamophobia, and to honoring his memory by working toward a more just and equitable world.

FAQs

• When did Wadee Alfayoumi die?
  • October 14, 2023
• Who was charged with his killing?
  • Joseph Czuba, the family’s landlord
• What is the alleged motive behind Wadee’s killing?
  • Manor claimed Wadee was targeted because of his Palestinian heritage
• What is the community doing to mark the one-year anniversary of his killing?
  • Holding events, issuing statements, and advocating for change

Faithfully serving the community

Source: [1]IVED News [2] Guardian [3] Inquirer [4] Sun-Times.