A Mother’s Plea: President Biden Meets Family of Hate Crime Victim

Plainfield, IL, January 18, 2025 — This Sunday, January 19, from 9–10 AM, tune in to The Lightning Strike on WCPT 820 AM or listen live at heartlandsignal.com for an exclusive deep dive into a poignant meeting at the White House. President Joe Biden recently sat down with Hanan Shaheen, the mother of Wadee Al Fayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy tragically killed in an alleged hate crime in October 2023.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, January 14, during the closing days of Biden's presidency, lasted for 3 hours with engaging sessions with Presidential advisors and approximately ten minutes one on one with the President.

It was described as an "intimate exchange" addressing the devastating consequences of dehumanization, political rhetoric, and false narratives. Shaheen was joined by legislative attorney and The Lightning Strike co-host, Maaria Mozaffar, who has been a staunch advocate for hate crime recognition. Mozaffar authored a congressional resolution to acknowledge Wadee as a victim of such a crime and hosts "Breaking the echo chamber" segment on The Lightning Strike.

In an emotional gesture, Mozaffar presented President Biden with symbolic gifts, including a Palestinian keffiyeh, an English translation of the Quran, and a wooden plaque bearing a message of empathy and unity. The discussion also highlighted the rising tide of Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian sentiment, and anti-Semitic hate, contextualized by the ongoing Middle East and Gaza crisis.

What to Expect on This Week’s Episode of The Lightning Strike:

• Insights into the actions President Biden promised after meeting Hanan Shaheen.
• Maaria Mozaffar’s advocacy efforts and her proposed policies to combat hate crimes.
• Key recommendations Mozaffar shared with the President.
• The role of empathy and legislative action in addressing Islamophobia and broader societal issues.
• Mozaffar’s proposals to tackle gender-based violence and how they fit into the broader goals of the discussion.
• Challenges Mozaffar identified and her strategies for overcoming them.

Join The Lightning Strike for this compelling analysis of how grassroots advocacy and presidential engagement intersect to tackle the critical issues of hate and division in our society. Don’t miss this powerful and thought-provoking broadcast.