Our condolences to Hodan Nalayeh's family, friends and everyone that loved her and her stories.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. Many of you may have already heard that Hodan Nalayeh and her husband were killed in a recent Al-Shabaab attack in the city of Kismayo. May Allah have mercy on Hodan, her husband, and all the people who lost their lives today. I pray that Allah grants their families ease and comfort.

Hodan was an incredible woman who loved her country and her people. She was delighted to be in Somalia and to share our stories. One of her goals was to convey positive narratives and change the Western perception of Somalia by showcasing thriving Somali communities, counteracting the images of famine and war prevalent in Western media.

Today, I was supposed to publish an interview we conducted during Ramadan about her story and her work in Somalia. One aspect that astonished me about Hodan was her resilience in the face of negativity. Despite facing hate from a few individuals, she remained focused on her goal and the need to share stories. For every person with negative remarks, many more benefited from her stories. I am one of those who enjoyed her narratives about Somalia, appreciating each city she visited for providing a new perspective on our homeland. Many in the diaspora haven't returned to Somalia, and Hodan's stories, visits, and interviews offered a renewed appreciation for our motherland.

Hodan had much good to share, and it's heartbreaking that her life was taken by terrorism. She would want positive stories to be shared, so if you've benefited from her show, please share those, along with her smile and the stories of the amazing people in Somalia. They cannot erase her good actions with their acts of terror. Hodan was a beacon of light that will outshine the evil that took her life.

During our interview, Hodan emphasized the significance of digital media for Somalia and us. Everything we share will endure; her stories will live on. I ask you to share your favorite stories from Toronto or Somalia that Hodan shared with us. Our interview together will not be posted today as originally planned.

Please remember Hodan, her husband, and all the lives lost in your prayers.

"And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision" (3:169).