October 17, 2023
Plainfield, Indiana
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal murder of 6-year-old Palestinian-American Wadea Al-Fayoume and the attempted murder of his mother, Hanaan Shahin. Both were targeted and stabbed multiple times in what authorities have determined to be a hate crime. This violence is the result of bigotry, hate, and ignorance. The man accused has now been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

ISNA strongly condemns this chilling and twisted act of anti-Muslim hatred, which comes amidst the backdrop of the current war and turmoil in Gaza. In a statement released by the Will County Sheriff’s office, authorities said the two Palestinian Americans were attacked “due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.”

Public leaders and officials across the country have also joined in to denounce the attack, and we echo their sentiments. President Biden, in his statement, said that “as Americans, we must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.  I have said repeatedly that I will not be silent in the face of hate.”
ISNA President Safaa Zarzour said, “There is no justification for this senseless, hateful murder. It should serve as a wake-up call to our society that dehumanizing entire people has terrible consequences.” ISNA President Safaa Zarzour and Vice President Kareem Irfan attended the funeral of Wadea. We pray for Wadea Al-Fayoume and ask God to give solace and comfort to his family.
ISNA applauds statements by President Biden, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, and others condemning this violence and hateful crime.