Plainfield community gathers for Illinois' 'Wadee Day' to honor Wadee Alfayoumi, Muslim boy killed in hate crime stabbing
Share this @internewscast.com

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Sunday marks the first official “Wadee Day” in Illinois.

It honors Wadee Alfayoumi, the 6-year-old boy stabbed to death in a hate crime attack by his family’s landlord nearly two years ago in 2023.

It’s meant to inspire people to work together to make the world a more peaceful place.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Kids now enjoy a playground in Plainfield dedicated to honor Alfayoumi.

“Wadee will never die,” community member Yousif Marei said. “Wadee stays alive forever, whether he’s in heaven or over the ground.”

With the help of the local park district, Sunday’s gesture of love followed the creation of a monument for the grade schooler by a local scout troop.

“This morning, we come together from our various families and communities to declare that we will not allow… to destroy us,” expressed Marty Levine from Jewish Voice for Peace.

“We will never forget Wadee,” said Dr. Saima Azfar with ICNA Relief Chicago. “We will honor him by standing up, speaking out and showing up.”

The event coincides with the passing of a state resolution observing September 21 not only as International Day of Peace for Children Day, but also Wadee Day.

“We need to use this as a moment so that we ensure no child faces violence faces discrimination, faces hate,” said Illinois Senator Ram Villivalam, who sponsored the resolution.

A jury found the family’s landlord, Joseph Czuba, guilty of murdering Alfayoumi while he and his mother were renting a room from him. Prosecutors say Czuba called the boy’s mother a “devil Muslim” as he stabbed the child more than two dozen times. He had been sentenced to 53 years in prison, but the convicted murder died in June while serving his sentence.

“Let us not wait for another tragedy to stir our conscience,” said Michael L. Childress, DuPage County NAACP Branch 3012 president.

A coalition of community groups, concerned neighbors and others gathered at Van Horn Woods East Sunday morning.

Alfayoumi’s father attended but was too emotional to speak. His mother, although physically healed from the attack Oct. 14, 2023, is still suffering from the trauma of losing her son.

“They’re grieving parents, and so it’s our responsibility as citizens is organizers continue to speak up on their behalf,” said Amina Barhumi with the Muslim Civic Coalition.

While the well-wishers feel the pain of the child’s loss, they say their thoughts are not far from their Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza.

People in attendance want lawmakers both in Illinois and in Washington, D.C., to act against the genocide they say continues.

“When our tax dollars pay for the genocide of their people overseas, it find its way back here and at least to the murder of children in our community,” Palestinian activist Soha Khatib said.

As the still grief-stricken struggle to heal, the community says they will continue to revel in the light of Alfayoumi’s memorial as they add that his legacy is the pursuit of justice.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump administration works to break China’s rare earth mineral stranglehold on Africa

How the Trump Administration is Challenging China’s Rare Earth Dominance in Africa

The U.S. State Department is actively working to mitigate the national security…
Eric Swalwell Says Candidates Must Pledge to Demolish Trump Ballroom

Eric Swalwell Urges 2024 Candidates to Vow: Tear Down Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Ballroom

Representative Eric Swalwell from California has recently become the latest figure to…
Serial slasher sought after 3 unprovoked Brooklyn attacks in 24 hours

Brooklyn on High Alert: Authorities Hunt Serial Slasher Behind Trio of Unprovoked Attacks in Just 24 Hours

A violent assailant responsible for slashing a stranger’s face on a Brooklyn…
A bomb in Gaza's rubble wounds twins who thought it was a toy

Tragedy in Gaza: Twins Mistakenly Play with Bomb Hidden in Rubble

In Gaza City, a pair of six-year-old twins mistook a round object…

New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo Leaves Game Due to Ankle Injury

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a devastating turn of events for the New…
Nearly 80K sauna blankets recalled after dozens of burn injuries reported

Urgent Recall Alert: Over 80,000 Sauna Blankets Recalled Due to Burn Injury Risks

In an important safety notice, Lifepro Fitness has announced the recall of…
Trump witnesses Thailand, Cambodia sign peace expansion months after brokering ceasefire

Historic Peace Expansion: Trump Celebrates Landmark Thailand-Cambodia Accord Following Ceasefire Success

On Sunday, Cambodia and Thailand officially extended a ceasefire agreement that was…
Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau spotted holding hands in Paris

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau Seen Holding Hands in Paris

In a romantic twist that has captivated the public’s attention, pop sensation…
Ravens-Bears game today: Baltimore Ravens defeat Chicago Bears 30-16

Ravens Soar Over Bears: Baltimore Clinches Dominant 30-16 Victory – Game Highlights & Analysis

In an impressive display on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens secured a commanding…
Chicago immigration activity: Federal agents detain worker in Old Irving Park, appear to use tear gas; fear disrupts local parade

Federal Agents Detain Worker in Old Irving Park, Tear Gas Suspected; Local Parade Plunged into Chaos in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Saturday, federal agents were once again active on…
Lewis Hamilton mourns beloved dog ahead of Mexico's Day of the Dead

Lewis Hamilton Honors Late Dog During Mexico’s Day of the Dead Remembrance

MEXICO CITY, Oct 23 – Lewis Hamilton has shared how the recent…
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Authorities Determine Teen’s ‘Gel Blaster’ Shooting in Skokie’s Shawnee Park as Antisemitic Hate Crime: Police Report

In SKOKIE, Illinois, local authorities have determined that a teenager’s use of…