Community Mourns Murdered Palestinian American Boy with Memorial Dedication
Plainfield, Ill. – On Saturday, community members in southwest suburban Plainfield gathered to pay tribute to Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who was tragically murdered in October 2023. The event included the unveiling of a monument featuring Wadea’s silhouette at Van Horn Woods East Playground, a place where he often played.
Honoring Wadea’s Memory
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Chicago, spoke at the event, emphasizing the significance of memorializing the young boy. "We are here this morning to eternalize his memory through this beautiful piece of art," he said. The monument is inspired by a photograph of Wadea taken at a birthday party shortly before his death.
The Tragic Backstory
Wadea was killed on October 14, 2023, by Joseph Czuba, the landlord from whom his mother, Hanan Shaheen, was renting a room. Prosecutors allege that Czuba brutally stabbed Wadea more than two dozen times and severely injured his mother during the attack. Czuba reportedly justified the violence by citing the family’s Palestinian heritage. The incident gained national attention, occurring just days after the escalation of tensions in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Czuba has since been convicted of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and committing a hate crime.
A Token of Love
Syed Rahman, the artist behind the monument, expressed his intention to create a piece that resonates with the community. "This picture of Wadea Al-Fayoume is very popular," he said. "We colored the heart red to symbolize the love he brought into this world."
Remembering a Bright Spirit
Among the attendees was Trisha Mathias, Wadea’s elementary school teacher, who reflected on the boy’s infectious spirit. "He was the kind of student you never forget," she shared. “I think it’s great that the community is doing something for him. I try to keep his memory alive in our classroom.”
Organizers selected the playground for the memorial because it held special significance for Wadea, a place where he spent many joyful moments.
This story reflects an ongoing commitment by the community to commemorate Wadea Al-Fayoume’s life, while also highlighting the issue of violence against marginalized groups.
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