Hanan Shaheen, the mother of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi who was killed in a hate crime in Illinois, has spoken out for the first time since the attack. Shaheen, who was also stabbed multiple times, called for justice and peace in her first public comments. She hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent her and has asked for prayers for peace from the public.

Shaheen's landlord, Joseph Czuba, targeted her and her son because they were Muslim and because of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and Israel. The Department of Justice has launched a federal investigation into Al-Fayoumi's death. Shaheen, who is recovering from her injuries, released a statement through the Council on American-Islamic Relations, thanking authorities and doctors and asking for prayers for peace. She described her son as an intelligent and funny child who cared about the planet and liked to join her in prayers. She urged the public to pray for justice and peace, asking, "How can you live without justice? And how you will be in peace without justice?" Shaheen is focused on her recovery and is not ready to meet with people at this time.