Young Palestinian American's Funeral Takes Place in Chicago After Tragic Stabbing
The boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was a Palestinian American and a Muslim, and was killed because of his Muslim faith.
The Mosque Foundation was filled with mourners who came to pay their respects to the boy and his family. His father, Odey Al-Fayoume, spoke in Arabic and said his son was a martyr who represented the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli air raids since October 7 have killed more than 2,800 Palestinians, including more than 1,000 children.
Al-Fayoume also said that Muslims are often portrayed as terrorists or violent, but his son was a victim of hatred.
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Mosque Foundation said the hatred toward Muslim Americans led to the boy's murder. They called for justice and protection for the Muslim community from hate crimes.
The boy and his mother, Hannan Shahin, moved into the Plainfield Township home two years ago. The landlord stabbed them multiple times on Sturday. The boy died at the scene, while his mother was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She shared her last words with her son before he died.
"When he was stabbed, his last words to his mom, 'Mom, I'm fine,'" said Yousef Hannon, the boy's uncle. "You know what? He is fine. He's in a better place."
The killing of the child left many Muslims feeling unsafe and fearful. "It is a hate crime," said Hatem Salloum, who attended the wake for Al-Fayoume. "They were targeted solely for two reasons. They're Palestinians, and they're Muslim." Salloum said he fears so much that he's told his mother to stay indoors.
‘Right to live’
Imam of the Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, Dr. Mohamed Elgobashy said he was terrified and sad to learn about the Plainfield tragedy, devastated that a child had to pay the price for something the child had nothing to do with. He said people cannot protect themselves from hate crimes alone, they need the help of political leaders.
“The leaders of all the communities have to educate people about how people have all the rights to live,” Elgobashy said. “Equality between all people no matter what race they are coming from, what religion they believe in or what faith they are practicing.”
A report from the Illinois State Police states that the level of hate crimes, and violence, against the Islamic and Jewish has risen significantly since the start of the war.
Source: Agencies
