October 16th 2023.
The Chicago suburb of Plainfield, IL, is currently facing a tragedy. A 71-year-old landlord, Joseph Czuba, has been charged with the stabbing death of a six-year-old Palestinian child, Wadea Al-Fayoume. According to ABC News, Czuba allegedly used a military-style knife to stab the young boy 26 times during this hate crime. The attack also left Wadea's mother, 32-year-old Hannan Shaheen, severely injured and in serious condition.
The horrific event has prompted a response from President Joe Biden, who released a statement saying, “The child’s Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek—a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace. This horrific act of hate has no place in America and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are.”
The Justice Department has opened a federal hate crimes investigation, and US Attorney General Merrick Garland has expressed his condolences to the family and community. He said, “I am heartbroken by the abhorrent killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a six year old child who died after being stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife. On behalf of the entire Justice Department, I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and his community as they grieve his loss.”
The Will County Sheriff’s Office has determined that the attack was motivated by the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. This makes the crime a hate crime since the young boy was Palestinian. Czuba has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement on the tragedy. Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director said, “Our hearts are heavy, and our prayers are with the darling boy and his mother. We have full confidence in the authorities to investigate this heinous incident as a hate crime and to do so swiftly.”
The brutal murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume has brought to light the ongoing prejudice against Palestinians living in America. It is a tragedy that cannot be ignored and must be addressed. We must stand together to ensure that all people can live, learn, and pray in peace.
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