Media Advisory: Large Crowds Expected, Sensitivity Requested

(CHICAGO, IL, 10/15/2023) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is sharing details for the funeral and burial of six-year-old Wadea Al Fayoume taking place TODAY.

Cameras are allowed, please observe sensitivities as outlined below.

SEE: Biden condemns Chicago hate crime attack on Palestinian mother and child: ‘Shocked and sickened

A CAIR-Chicago Press Conference with the family took place yesterday. The announced hate crime in which the late boy and his injured mother were stabbed dozens of times by their landlord as he yelled "you Muslims must die," sent shockwaves through the nation locally and internationally prompting wide media coverage, statements from President Biden, Governor Pritzker, and many other officials and interfaith leaders.

WHAT: Funeral Prayer and Burial of Wadea Al-Fayoume

WHEN: Today, Monday October 16, 2023, at 1:00PM

WHERE:

Funeral Prayer: Mosque Foundation, 7360 W 93rd St, Bridgeview, IL 60455

Burial: Parkholm Cemetery, LaGrange

WHO: Family of Wadea, Muslim community leaders, Muslim community members (large crowds expected), interfaith leaders and well-wishers, and public officials.

NOTE TO MEDIA:

• There is no filming inside the Mosque during prayers out of respect for the proceeding, there will be a designated staging area directly outside the Mosque for cameras that can still capture the crowds and procession.

• Due to the expected volume of cars, a special parking area is designated for media trucks (Next to Aqsa School at in the same Mosque parking lot, or along Oketo Avenue, volunteers and ushers will assist.

• There are no planned statements by family or Muslim leaders.

• There will be heavy security at the Mosque.

• If at the burial grounds, we ask that cameras stay clear of family and mourners and keep a respectful distance.

"This is a heavy day that we hoped would never come. As they say, the smallest coffins are the heaviest," said Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director. "My heart and thoughts today are especially with the mother, Hanaan Shahin, who is fighting serious bodily injuries at the hospital, not to mention the mental trauma of the gore she experienced and witnessed. She will be feeling Wadea's loss more than anyone, but she is forced to mourn alone rather in the warm embrace of family and community at this time.

"Lastly, we thank the professionals at the Will County Sheriff's office and all those who worked on what was a swift and decisive investigation that did not mince words. Their work sets a standard that I hope will be followed elsewhere. It really helps to have that level of closure for family and community before our darling Wadea is put to rest. We hope justice will be served, and that no family will ever be put in this position," Rehab said.

A crowdsourcing campaign put up by Rehab raised over $100,000 so far in less than a day and is meant to help cover funeral expenses, hospital expenses, housing expenses for the mother, and a memorial for Wadea.

SEE: Support the Family of Our Departed Angel, Wadea Al-Fayoume

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202 870 0166, arehab@cair.com; Erin P.R. Davis, MCM, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 773-802-8786, epdavis@cair.com.