Society has been sunk into a mourning following a great loss of humanity. Sadly amongst the loss Somalia has suffered in the recent terror attack is reportedly the death of a Somali-Canadian journalist Hodan Nalayeh who was killed in an attack on a hotel in Somalia on Friday.
Nalayeh 43, and her husband, Farid Jama Suleiman were among those killed in the attack in Somalia’s port city of Kismayo.
Police said the bomb went off at a hotel where local elders and lawmakers had been discussing an upcoming regional election and was followed by gunfire.A suicide bomber rammed a car containing explosives into the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, and gunmen then stormed the building. Witnesses said they heard gunfire inside the hotel soon after the car bomb went off.
At least 26 people, including the prominent journalist and several foreigners, have been killed. Police report added that the death toll could be high.
The militant Islamist group al Shabaab, which is trying to topple Somalia’s central government, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nalayeh had recently returned to Somalia after living in Canada for years “to help showcase Somalia’s peaceful transformation.”
“Unfortunately, she paid for it with her life.”
Kenya’s majority leader Aden Duale informed of the journalist’s death stating that he knew her as one person who always tells the world the positive side of Somalia through her online TV.
Innalilahi wainaillahim raajun
We've lost a brilliant and promising member of our society in a bomb blast at a hotel in Kismayo, Somalia. I have known her as one person who always tells the world the positive side of Somalia through her online TV. pic.twitter.com/lAqJMPBF8n— Hon. Aden Duale (@HonAdenDuale) July 13, 2019
“Hodan was always keen to showcase the best aspects of her community, whether in the diaspora or back in Somalia, but she would never shy away from tackling controversial topics that made many in her community uneasy,” Baksh told CBC News.
“Hodan was an amazing journalist who was never afraid to ask the tough questions and she often did it with style and a smile.”
Many others have narrated of Nalayeh’s great impact and their love for her after the sad news.
May Allah grant Hodan Naleyeh & all those killed in the barbaric #Kismayo attack Jannah. Here Hodan is talking about the importance of leaving a legacy. 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/DfasjN40KE
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) July 13, 2019
Hodan Naleye of Inspirational TV died in today’s #Kismayo twin attack earlier in the evening.
Naleye was a strong woman and a role model to thousand of Somali girls. She used her online TV to show the world what Somalia has in store.
Condolences to her family &friends. pic.twitter.com/HkctOWQc7q
— Hon. Fatuma Gedi (@Hon_FatumaGedi) July 12, 2019
Such sad and shocking news. Hodan was a bright light in a sometimes dark sky. Her journalism gave hope to so many. Other young, brave, patriotic Somalis will keep the light shining. But now is the time to mourn Hodan, her husband Farid and all those so cruelly killed in #Kismayo. https://t.co/bU6JRovRgB
— Nick Kay (@NicholasK111) July 13, 2019
"I want to be remembered as a person who preached peace, unity and brotherhood among our people. I want to be remembered as a person who touched lives of generations." @HodanTV
I am deeply shocked about her demise. #Kismayo pic.twitter.com/PwaGyyxgQv
— Mohamed Ali (@saman_mohamed77) July 12, 2019
“The joy killers once again killed our Joys.”-Abdiaziz Elamiaziz.
“So heartbreaking. Hodan was a rare gem.May Allah Grant her and those who were Killed Jannatul Firdous.”- DiBOO.
“She was exposing somalia’s greatness to the world God easy for her the questions in the grave.”-Princess Aisha.
“Forever in our hearts “- Benarfa KE.
May her admired soul Rest In Peace!