Wadea Al-Fayoume’s parents as well as many are asking for justice for their son who was stabbed by a man, 72, because he was a Muslim. Details about his family explored.
Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times with a large military-style knife in Plainfield, near Chicago on Saturday, police said.
The slaying has sparked public outcry and heartbreak, as well as condemnation from the White House.
The brutal killing comes amid heightened tensions in the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East and at a time when Muslim and Arab communities in the U.S. are warning against hate toward their people stateside.
Here’s what we know about Wadea Al-Fayoume’s parents and family.
Who are Wadea Al-Fayoume’s parents?
Wadea al-Fayoume was born in 2017 in the United States.
His place of birth makes him an American, however, he is originally from Beitunia, also known as Bitunya, in Palestinian.
The young Palestinian American comes from a Muslim family.
The names of his parents are Hanaan Shahin (mother) and Oday Al-Fayoume (father). His parents had moved to the States 12 years ago.
The family lives in their home in Illinois and their pensioner landlord has been revealed as Joseph M. Czuba, 72.
In a news conference at the Muslim Community Centre in Chicago, CAIR executive director Ahmed Rehab said the mother and son had lived in the ground floor unit of the home for two years and had a cordial relationship with the landlord in the past.
After he heard about the conflict between Israel and Palestine which has claimed the lives of many, he developed hatred for Muslims.
Wadea was stabbed to death in his Illinois home by his landlord, who also critically wounded the boy’s mother in an alleged anti-Muslim hate crime, police said Sunday, calling it a “senseless and cowardly act of violence.”
“The father said [the landlord] had built a tree house for the boy and allowed him to swim in a makeshift pool and brought him toys. But it wasn’t until he started watching the news and hearing the statements [about the war] that something changed,” Rehab said.
Before the tragedy happened to Wadea, he had only celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago. Rehab said: “He loved his family, his friends. He loved soccer, he loved basketball.
His mom, Shahin, sent text messages to Wadea’s father, Oday, recounting what happened, and detailing the anti-Muslim statements made during the attack.
Also, the demise’s father made an appearance at the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago where a press conference was held on Sunday.
What happened to Wadea Al-Fayoume?
Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times with a large military-style knife in Plainfield, near Chicago on Saturday, police said.
His 32-year-old mum was also stabbed more than a dozen times – but is expected to survive.
Police said Wadea and his mother were targeted “due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis”.
It’s understood Czuba was the victims’ landlord.
Cops said they received an emergency call from the woman who said she was being attacked by her landlord.
The woman said she “ran into the bathroom and continued to fight off her attacker”.
Citing text messages from the mum to the boy’s father, the suspect reportedly yelled, “You Muslims must die!” before stabbing the pair.
The Muslim org called the brutal crime “our worst nightmare”.
US President Joe Biden said: “Jill and I were shocked and sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a six-year-old child and the attempted murder of the child’s mother in their home.
“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.
“As Americans, we must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.”
Where is Joseph Czuba now?
Joseph Czuba, 72, is currently behind bars following the murder of 6-year-old boy.
He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes, and aggravated battery.