WASHINGTON – Several congressional lawmakers from Illinois are celebrating a resolution that was passed by the Senate to honor the memory of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Plainfield boy who was stabbed to death in a hate crime last year.
Al-Fayoume and his mother Hanan Shaheen were targeted by their landlord, Joseph Czuba for their Palestinian and Muslim identity.
Wadea was stabbed 26 times at his home by Czuba on October 14, 2023, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office. Shahin also suffered more than a dozen stab wounds, but survived.
As Al-Fayoume’s first death anniversary approaches, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Delia Ramirez and Lauren Underwood are applauding the resolution, which was introduced earlier this year and continued to warn against hate speech that could incite violence.
“We are 12 days from October 7th and 19 days from the anniversary of Wadee’s murder – both dates marked by children torn from their mothers,” Ramirez said in a statement.
“While time has passed, we continue to see an escalation of violence in the Middle East, a rise in bigotry and dehumanizing rhetoric, and a rejection of our shared humanity. We must remember Wadea.”
Underwood described Al-Fayoume as “a beautiful light” that was taken too soon.
He brought so much sunshine and joy to his loved ones and classmates,” she added in a statement. “The hatred that took him has no place in our community or in our country. I’m glad to see this resolution pass the Senate, and proud to have worked on it with Wadee’s family and community leaders to honor his life and his memory.”
Durbin participated in a senate hearing last week focusing on victims of hate crimes and their families.
Wadee’s young life was taken far too soon and for no apparent reason other than his religion and ethnicity.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) September 25, 2024
We’re mourning with his family. Passing this resolution helps honor his life and condemns all forms of hate. https://t.co/J5WOyvI8Ik
Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother were violently attacked for no apparent reason other than their religion and ethnicity.
— Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) September 25, 2024
All forms of hate must be condemned. Period. pic.twitter.com/DHOnDIpyHm
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committe echoed the sentiments of the lawmakers who sponsored the bill.
“Palestinian Americans, like Arab Americans more broadly, are a proud and beautiful community representing the best of our nation,” the organization said in a statement.
“This resolution is a strong statement denouncing the hate that motivated Wadee’s murder and the attack on his mother and pushes back against false narratives demonizing Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Americans. “