‘We Will Never Forget’: Community Marks 1st Anniversary of Wadee Alfayoumi’s Tragic Death
Wadee was fatally stabbed over two dozen times on October 14, 2023, at his home near Plainfield. His mother was critically injured in the attack.
The family's landlord, Joseph Czuba, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and hate crime charges. Prosecutors allege Czuba was angered by Hamas' October 7 operation on Israel last year. His trial is set to begin in February.
On Sunday, dozens gathered at Settler's Park in Plainfield to honor Wadee and grieve as a community, ABC7 reported on Monday.
Wadee's father, Odai Alfayoumi, requested an intimate gathering at Chicago's Muslim Community Center for Monday evening's remembrance. He emphasized that he did not want his son's memory politicized.
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Speaking in Arabic, Odai Alfayoumi expressed his ongoing sadness but mentioned he still feels his son's presence and hears his voice. He urged people of all faiths to see the humanity in others, finding solace in the global support for his son.
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said, "We're never going to forget what happened. We're never going to forget the atmosphere that was created that still lingers today."
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing Wadee's death as a hate crime.
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There has been a significant uptick in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States in the past year as a result of the war between the Israeli regime and Palestinian resistance movements in Gaza.
Source: Agencies
