Picture of the day!

Traditional cloth makers doing the final embroidery (tarash). Seen in Xamarweyne, Mogadishu’s old quarter. Somali traditional cloth makers are coming back into the market as people long for old and fine traditional dress.

Koofi Baraawe or the Bravanese hat is worn by Somali elders. They also dye their hair with Henna. The style exemplifies dignity, wisdom and prestige. Sometimes politicians and leaders mimic the elders and wear these hats.

The sandmen of Lido Beach. Therapeutic fun.Mogadishu, Somalia

Smile Somalia. Peace is finaly here.

The Old Mogadishu Cathedral. Mogadishu will regain its old glory of cosmopolitanism and tolerance soon.

This boy fixes vespas near Conis Stadium. Hands-on vocational training for the disadvantaged youth that can’t go to traditional schools is a much appreciated alternative.

The old lighthouse at Secondo Lido.

A wheelbarrow porter takes a break from work and enjoys the view near Mool Fiinto.

The Mosque or Masjid in Jazeera, a very popular and beautiful beach at the outskirts of Mogadishu.

The neighborhood coke shop, up close mural art marvel. Mogadishu, Somalia

Michelin man in Mogadishu. Mural art at the local tire shop.

Done with grocery shopping, girls take time to enjoy the scenery. Tonight’s casho: fish stew and rooti.

Dad, cut it out. You can’t scare me.
Generation Peace: Can’t live in fear. Feeling the peace and having fun in peace.

The Mosque of Unity. Isbaheeysiga is Mogadishu largest masjid. The Friday congregation is one of the mosque’s cherished spiritual activities.

Inside the neighborhood restaurant.

Basbaas Shareero Band or Hot Chilli Peppers Shareero that play n perform traditional folklore dance and music in the capital city Mogadishu, Somalia.

Ikea aint got nothing on this neighborhood furniture shop. Bunk beds on display here. Mogadishu, Somalia

Students from Hoyga Xamar Primary.

Locally made chests, made of recycled metal scraps and painted. Mogadishu, Somalia

A cute jewel with big bright eyes. Seen at Jazeera Beach. She came with the whole family to enjoy the sea, sand and sun of Jazeera.

Daljirka Dahsoon.

A young man from Kaaraan wearing the traditional Sufi head wrap as a fashion statement.

Free throw. the little fans got some role model to emulate.

The traditional waalo dance is a very popular attraction at Lido.Socod …Gudub.

Seaweed and Sand. An artistic expression. Seen at Lido Beach, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Family time at Lido. All the way from Shibis.Mogadishu, Somalia.

Generation Peace: This little angel came to Lido for Eid but couldn’t resist the lure of the sea.

Generation Peace: Keep smiling Somalia. Lido Beach, Mogadishu, Somalia

Break time at Hoyga Xamar Primary & Secondary School.

Xamar Weyne Alley – one of the oldest quarters in Mogadishu, Somalia

A baati shop in Xamar Weyne, Mogadishu, Somalia

fans cheer for their team: Shibisoo laga badiyay weligeed lama sheegin. Neighborhood Girls Basketball Tournament. Mogadishu, Somalia

Such a grace for little girl. She came from the nearby Wadajir with family to enjoy the sand and sun at Jazeera Beach. Mogadishu, Somalia

a wali the mystic from Xamarweyne likes to hang by the sea,

Somalia: Heaven on Earth.

Generation Peace

Generation Peace

Generation Peace

Generation Peace

In the classroom. Hoyga Xamar Secondary School.

Came to swim but then football (soccer) is a passion.Mogadishu, Somalia.

The actress, the comedians and the kids from the block. Seen at Jazeera Beach. Mogadishu, Somalia.

A break after a productive early morning of fishing.

Motorbike mechanics. Hodan, Mogadishu. Ato images

a photogenic young boy. Seen at Lido.

An old historical mosque by the sea. This is one of the oldest masjids ( built some 800 years ago) in the city. Mogadishu, Somalia

Excited and energized young man. Seen at Lido Beach

This kids and his friends dive and fish for fun near Mool Fiinto and Geelaq.

Yusra from Madina or Wadajir was having lot fun at Jazeera Beach.

The future is bright for this angel and her Somalia.

A young man from Abdiaziz district aka Kaambo Amhaaro. He paints his face with sand every time he comes to Lido Beach

She’s the quiet and cool one. Her classmates are on the court playing around. A student from Hoyga Xamar Primary

Muna, a diaspora returnee is here to contribute to the restoration of the Somali nation-state.

Every friday afternoon falklore dancers gather at Daljirka Dahsoon to have fun and revive the forgotten culture. People come to watch and get entertained.

The rehabilitation work is going on fine at Ufficio Governo.

Caadkeey, a welder from Warta Nabada works at Ufficio Governo. The place is being rehabilitated.

Ahmed Abas a soccer legend watches Jeenyo get awarded the General Daa’uud Cup. He’s on wheelchair now because of an accident.

An angel seen at Lido Beach with dad and all her siblings.

Lido Sandman. this is therapeutic as well as an art form.

A window behind Mogadishu fish market facing the sea.

Lido line dance.

Eid on the Beach.

Canab and the flag at Daljirka Dahsoon.

Generation Peace: Mogadishu, Somalia. Angel seen at Lido Beach

Father and Son.

Students from Abdiaziz Primary salute the flag.

Students from Abdiaziz Primary salute the flag.

Students from Abdiaziz Primary salute the flag.

Another magical alley in Xamarweyne, Mogadishu’s oldest quarter. Some of these alleys and sorrunding houses are built centuries ago./Ato images

One of the historical alleys in Xamarweyne, Mogadishu’s oldest quarter./ Ato images.

Balka shuraako maaha. A truck full of cornstalks to feed city cattle seen at Ceelasha Biyaha.

Live Painting: Qorax maa calaacal lagu qarin karaa? nabada xamar iyo soo kabashadeeda waa sidaas oo kale.

Shells, jewelry, wood and bone carvings, ancients coins, rare stamps, royal swords nomadic spears; Hassan Milyan collects antique artifacts and sells them in his store near Isgoyska Dabka.

Construction boom in Mogadishu, Somalia

Safari Apartments, Mogadishu

Salt farms after sunset at Jazeera beach, Mogadishu

Mogadishu fishing market

Greetings from Mogadishu, Somalia

Boys going home after snorkeling and swimming. Seen near Mool Fiinto Xamarweyne.

Somoil, new gas station. Mogadishu, Somalia

Anyone care for some fruits.

Girls having fun n playing soccer with the guys at the beach. Mogadishu

Today’s catch: king fish.

Newly constructed Hormuud building at Airport Road, Mogadishu.

Sea,Sand and Sun all in one place Mogadishu.

Horses of Mogadishu

Camel export at Mogadishu Port.

A walk at Lido beach, Mogadishu.

Suuq Bacad, second largest open market in Mogadishu after Bakara market.

Beach front property boom, Mogadishu.Somalia

View of Bakara market, Mogadishu.

Sunset at Lido beach. Ato images. Mogadishu, Somalia

Patrol boats donated by Turkey. The boats are equipped with modern communication equipment and geared towards long-range patrols.

Hoyga Xamar high school graduation ceremony, Class of 2015. Mogadishu, Somalia (Photo credit: Ato images)

Mogadishu on the Rise.

Aerial-view parts of Mogadishu, Somalia

He calls himself “Atooraha” the actor. This young martial artist is aspiring action star in Mogadishu. He draws crowds of beach goers in Lido with his stunts. There were high tides on the sea on this particular day. Ato images

The power of advertising: These billboards from Hanan Fashion stores had a huge impact on their target. Almost every other little girl was dressed like this on eid. Parents probably bought these dresses after their daughters saw the ads. They didn’t mind the Asian girl on the boards. I heard through Mogadishu’s many geed-hindi vines that Hanan Fashion is run by Dubai born young lady by way of Hargiesa. She wanted a bigger market segment and she definitely captured it. Mucho denaro in Mogadishu. We could argue its positive or negative impact on another day but this is here and now. Ato images

A beautiful reminder: EID is almost here. #Mogadishu #Somalia Can’t wait to see all the angels enjoying this Friday. Ato images

Songs of freedom and peace. Mogadishu, Somalia. Ato images

Uruba Hotel & Secondo Lido. To be rehabilitated soon. Ato images

Bajaaj or tuktuk along with Caasi also known as Homy are the main form of public transport in Mogadishu. Ato images

Hoyga Xamar students – high school is done … now they are aiming for higher education in Somalia . these cool and savvy kids don’t want to risk their lives for nothing, neither europe nor america. They are happy in Xamar and will pursue college in it. Ato images

semiconductors, generators, soil erosion, parasites,stars, planets, physics, biology, chemistry, science and math are just piece of cake for these smart middle schoolers from Hoyga Xamar. Ato images

Seen at the school graduation ceremony. Hoyga Xamar. Ato images