On October 14, 2023, Wadee al-Fayoume, a six-year-old Palestinian American child, was murdered when he was stabbed 26 times in his home by Joseph Czuba in Plainfield Township, Illinois. Wadee’s mother, Hanaan Shaheen, suffered severe wounds during this horrific hate crime as well. His tragic murder occurred a week after the start of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and is reflective of the continuous discrimination against Arabs, Palestinians, and Muslims since. ADC extends its condolences to the family of Wadea and the greater Chicago Arab-American community, who have continued to mourn this loss well over a year later.
ADC reaffirms its unshakeable commitment to attain justice for Wadee and his family. We are proud to co-counsel with Attorney Ben Crump and the Ben Crump Law Firm, John Simon of The Simon Law Firm, representing Wadee’s mother. Together, we released the following:
“As the trial begins, Hanan Shaheen continues the unimaginable fight for justice for Wadee. No mother should have to endure such a violent attack and the unimaginable loss of her young son. Despite the grief and heartbreak, Hanan continues to pray for accountability and fairness in this process. We have confidence in the prosecution’s efforts to earn justice for Wadee and Hanan. We ask the media to respect Hanan’s privacy throughout this trial, as she focuses on honoring her son’s memory and getting him the justice he deserves.”
Today, the fight for Wadee’s justice persists: the trial against Joseph Czuba has begun. Czuba faces five different charges, including two on hate crime accounts; if convicted, he faces up to life in prison. This trial comes at a critical time – hate crimes targeting Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslim Americans continue to rise, and our justice system must send a clear message: such violence has no place in our society. Holding dangerous, violent criminals like Joseph Czuba accountable under the rule of law ensures that every citizen—regardless of race, class, or creed—can feel safe in their home and protected by our nation’s laws.
In honor of Wadee’s young life—and of the countless others harmed by hatred—we call on everyone to stand united against hate and to reaffirm the foundational principles of equality and respect that define our nation. We have confidence in the prosecution’s commitment to secure accountability for Wadee and Ms. Shaheen, and we respectfully ask the media to protect Ms. Shaheen’s privacy as she focuses on honoring her son’s memory and seeking the justice he deserves.
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