The mother of a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was stabbed to death in Chicago has been released from hospital following treatment for wounds she suffered in the attack.
Hanaan Shahin, 32, was stabbed a dozen times in the vicious attack, allegedly carried out by her landlord Joseph Czuba, which came as tensions continue to escalate over the conflict in the Middle East.
CAIR-Chicago confirmed to NBC Chicago that Ms Shahin had been released from hospital over the weekend.
Her son, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed 26 times during the attack. Mr Czuba, 71, appeared in court last week on charges of murder, attempted murder and hate crime. He is due back in court on October 30.
Speaking at a news conference last week, one of Wadea’s uncles said he believed Mr Czuba had become enraged due to coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, including claims that Israeli babies had been beheaded by Hamas fighters.
CAIR-Chicago said that a candlelit vigil to honour Wadea is due to take place on Sunday in suburban Oak Brook.
Last Thursday, following an address to the nation in which he discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, president Joe Biden spoke to Ms Shahin and wished her a speedy recovery.
The president made mention of the attack on Wadea and his mother in the speech, describing them as a “proud Palestinian-American family” and said the US must “without equivocation” denounce both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“I know many of you in the Muslim-American community, the Arab-American community, the Palestinian-American community and so many others are outraged and hardy, saying to yourself ‘here we go again’, with the Islamophobia and distrust we saw after 9/11,” he said.
“We can’t stand by and stand silent when this happens. We must, without equivocation, denounce antisemitism.
The murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume sparked protests in Bridgeview, Illinois— (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
“We must also, without equivocation, denounce Islamophobia. And all you hurting, I want you to know I see you, you belong. And I want to say this to you. You’re all American.”
A funeral service for Wadea took place on Monday last week, where he was remembered as an energetic boy who loved playing games. His killing has prompted fresh concerns in Muslim circles about Islamophobia and being forgotten in war coverage.
At a news conference before Wadea’s funeral, speakers called for politicians and media to be responsible with their comments and coverage of the war. Since the outbreak of the conflict on 7 October, Jewish and Muslim groups have reported an increase of hateful rhetoric.
CAIR-Chicago has been approached for comment.
