My memory of 14 October 2017: Two Years Ago From Today

My memory of 14 October 2017: Two Years Ago From Today


It was Saturday, 14 October 2017. I had a meeting with my friends Abdifatah Hassan Ali and Alinor Abdi at Safari hotel close to Zobe junction in Mogadishu for lunch and then scheduled to stop over at KM13 outside of Mogadishu. I was the first person to come to the hotel and took my lunch. People were sitting in groups, chit-chatting and having fun; while I was sitting alone enjoying the breeze waiting for my friends.

After my friends finally arrived, we ordered some fruit and juice drinks. As were conversing – we called a nearby shoe-shiner to shine our shoes before we left for a mission, but unfortunately, he excused himself and said: “I am not feeling well today, could you please come to me in the afternoon?” We simply replied it is ok. We left and drove to Safari Hotel on our way to Afgoye corridor particularly KM13 around 1pm local time. We have been touring the outskirts of Mogadishu for almost two hours and immersed in the beautiful scenery and came across IDPs and the large settlements between Mogadishu and Afgoye. We were offline from the Mogadishu’s bustling noises and it was refreshing to be in a more quiet and peaceful environment.

Mogadishu is known to be busy on Saturdays as it is the start of the week and businesses resume from hibernation. We came back to Mogadishu at 3pm and stopped at police checkpoint near Banadir hospital. There was traffic and a long queue with vehicles lined up for security checking, however, we were not in a rush. We finally came into the police checkpoint and they kept searching our vehicle and us too. We moved from the area and arrived at Zobe junction where there was traffic on all sides of the intersection.

During traffic jam, we were discussing how to get out as we were becoming impatient. I asked my friends to come out from the vehicle and join me afternoon prayer at Safari hotel mosque. Alinor replied and said “we came to a long distance and I feel a bit sweaty so let us take a quick shower, we will come back and have tea together,” he added. Then I undoubtfully responded and informed him that the jam will take longer and not to miss prayer. When he realized that we are in a disagreement, he asked Abdifatah to give his input and Abdifatah agreed with Alinor Abdi.

Fortunately, I changed my mind and agreed with them to go home and then come back after a long rest in my area.  In less than 5 minutes after leaving the Zobe intersection a huge blast followed which we had no idea where it happened but we ran and hid inside a house nearby to take caution. I automatically checked my social media to get any possible information about the explosion. Suddenly, I received a call from one of my relatives who said that our uncle and his wife are not picking up their calls and their last known location was the Safari Hotel.  I immediately rushed to the bombing site and could not believe that I was looking at the same junction I left within minutes of the tragic explosion. I still have those horrifying images in my head and it will never go away. The area I once knew to be a thriving and booming neighborhood, turned into a deadly warzone.

On 14^th October 2017 I lost my uncle and his wife, a few of my beloved friends including the Safari Hotel shoe-shiner who was laying down sick in his work-space.

May Allah reward them with the highest place in Jannah.