CHICAGO, IL, February 27, 2025 – The Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a press conference outside the Will County Courthouse following the verdict in the trial of Joseph Czuba—the Plainfield landlord charged with murder, attempted murder, and hate crimes in the brutal stabbing of 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi on October 14, 2023.
Per Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak, court proceedings are expected to conclude on Friday, February 28, 2025. CAIR-Chicago will host a press conference immediately following the verdict at approximately 4:30 p.m. outside the courthouse.
Czuba’s attack on Wadee and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, was fueled by radicalized conservative rhetoric surrounding the genocide in Gaza, marking one of the most heinous hate crimes to impact Chicago’s Muslim community in recent history.
WHAT: Press Conference Following Verdict in the Hate Crime Trial of Joseph Czuba
WHEN: Friday, February 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. (CST) OR immediately following the verdict
WHERE: Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson, Joliet, IL 60432 (Plaza Area)
Livestream via CAIR-Chicago’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cairchicago
WHO:
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Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago
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Family representatives
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Amina Barhumi, Advocacy and Policy Lead, Muslim Civic Coalition
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Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Prior to the press conference, Salaat-ul-Jummah, the Islamic Friday prayer, will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the plaza area.
MEDIA GUIDELINES:
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Attendees are kindly requested to gather in the outdoor plaza area.
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Signs and protest materials are discouraged to maintain the solemnity of the event.
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Supporters are encouraged to express solidarity by using #RememberingWadee on social media.
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote understanding.
CONTACT:
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago | 202-870-0166 | [email protected]; Monia Alhelou, Operations Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago | 312-212-1520 | [email protected]; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago | 561-317-7509 | [email protected]
