On July 12, 2019, Somali-Canadian based journalists Hodan Nalayeh and her husband were killed during a terrorist attack at Hotel Asasey in Kismayo, Somalia. At the time of her death, Nalayeh was nine months pregnant. Nalayeh was credited for showing a different side to Somalia through the stories of civil war, militancy, and famine. As the world bids adieu to the brave journalist, we trace her life in pictures. (All Pictures Courtesy/Twitter and Instagram Hodan Nalayeh)
Updated On: 2019-07-25 09:15 AM IST
Hodan Nalayeh, a Somali-Canadian based journalist along with her husband Farid Juma Suleiman were killed during a terrorist attack at Hotel Asasey in Kismayo, Somalia. At the time of her death, Nalayeh was nine months pregnant. The attack involved a car bombing and gunfire. Southern Somalia-based Jihadist radical group Al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the attack.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh shares a laugh with her husband Farid Juma Suleiman.
The late Hodan Nalayeh's Instagram account describes her as 'Mom, optimist, journalist and TV host.' Hodan who was well-known cor sharing positive and inspiring Somali stories was credited for showing a different side to Somalia through the stories of civil war, militancy, and famine.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh gets ready to face the camera as a tv host.
Hodan Nalayeh, who was heavily pregnant at the time of her death is survived by her two children, 11 siblings, and beloved parents. In the pic, Hodan Nalayeh attends a book fair in Kismayo, a city in Somalia.
Hodan Nalayeh was born in 1976 in Somalia. A young Hodan was raised in a large family which comprised of her four brothers and seven sisters. At the age of six, Hodan Nalayeh, along with her parents and siblings migrated to Canada in 1984. In the beginning, Hodan's family settled in Edmonton, Alberta before moving to Toronto in 1992.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh with her parents, sibling and school children.
Hodan Nalayeh shared this beautiful picture with her two son's on Insta and wrote: Motherhood. The hardest and most rewarding job in the world. Raising boys to be men who love, respect, protect & honour the women in their lives.
As a student, Hodan Nalayeh attended the West Humber Collegiate Institute, a high school in Etobicoke. in order to pursue her further education, Hodan did her post-secondary education from the University of Windsor, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Later, Nalayeh went on to earn a postgraduate certificate in broadcast journalism from Seneca College.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh poses for a picture after relishing lunch with a 97-year-old uncle.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh enjoys fresh camel from 'LaasCaanood', the land of milk. While sharing the pic, Hodan captioned it: There's no place like "LaasCaanood", the land of milk.
Somali-Canadian based journalist Hidan Nalayeh shared a unique and inseparable bond with her two sons. Very often, she used to take to her social media handles and share cure candid pictures with her sons. While sharing this picture, Hodan wrote: My son says I need to post more content on social media to reach 100K YouTube subscribers, He is officially my advisor now. This is the digital age where our children understand the value of sharing & connecting their experiences with millions!
Although Hodan Nalayeh lived all her life in Canada, she has always been connected to her roots. While sharing this picture with her family, Hodan wrote: Something amazing happened yesterday...my family has come back to LasAnod after being away for 35 years in Canada! It's beautiful to see our parents, siblings and their children come back to our roots to help the community.
Mom, journalist, TV host, social activist, and entrepreneur are few of the facets of her illustrious career so far. Hodan was actively involved in client management, sales, and production in radio and television for over 13 years. She founded the media platform Integration TV in order to tell stories about life in Somalia and in the Somali diaspora.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh with nursing students.
Hodan Nalayeh worked as a producer on popular shows such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. Later, Nalayeh began hosting the half-hour Somali community show Integration: Building A New Cultural Identity, which focused on the bright side of from female entrepreneurs to things to do in the city of LasAnod and much more.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh gets a kiss from hers on the occasion of Eid.
Hodan Nalayeh seems to enjoy bonding with her new friend in Somalia. While sharing this picture with the tortoise, Hodan captioned: I became interested to learn more about endangered African Spurred Tortoise after my post. People say there are hundreds in the outskirts of Mogadishu, but Wikipedia does not even list Somalia as one of the countries they live.
While the whole world focused on civil war, militancy and famine in Somalia, journalist Hodan Nalayeh through her work and career, showed a different side of Somalia which comprises of the beauty and that of its people.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh interacts with a local in Somalia.
Hodan Nalayeh who was brought up in Toronto, Canada, shared this throwback picture from her life in Canada and captioned it: Arrived in Toronto to this weather. Don't ask me why I love Somalia when I've spent the majority of my life surviving winter months.
Hodan Nalayeh arrives in Kismayo, Somalia as a single mother of two boys. A divorcee, Hodan found love once again when she met Farid Jama Suleiman, a former minister, and businessman, the two married each other in 2018 in Nairobi.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh holds a Somali milk container used by the nomads.
Hidan Nalayeh poses for a picture post the laundry work. While sharing the picture, Hodan Nalayeh wrote: Posted a photo on my IG doing laundry in Somalia and people found it fascinating. What's so amazing about a woman washing her family's clothes in 2019? Can't women have a career & home goals at the same time?
Hodan Nalayeh's death came as a shock to many as she managed to inspire a generation of young Somalis who had previously only seen their country through the lens of war. Her death led to an outpour of grief on social media with many sharing their shock and disbelief at her death. From Canada's Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to Justin Trudeau, everyone were taken back with the news of her death.
In pic: Hodan Nalayeh with the content creators who are changing Africa's narrative.
In the pic, Hodan Nalayeh is seen posing amidst the backdrop of the sea. While sharing this picture, Hodan captioned it: Joy is not just a word, but it's a feeling found when you see the beauty in rebuilding something people have lost hope in.
Omar Degan, Hodan Nalayeh's friend took to Twitter and posted a heartfelt tribute to his late friend who was killed in a terrorist attack. While sharing a picture of the two, Omar wrote: Hodan was a friend, I started my work in Somalia with her in 2017. I'm heartbroken for this lost. She was a pure beautiful soul. But let's not remember her for how she died let's remember her for what she did in life. DONT GIVE UP ON THE SOMALI DREAM. THIS IS NOT WHAT SHE WANTED.
In pic: Omar Degan and Hodan Nalayeh are all smiles for the camera.
