The young Somali woman changing how the world sees Mogadishu

For some tourists, the contrast between Somalia's reputation and what they experience on the ground can be striking. As the sun rises over the Indian Ocean, waves lap onto the golden sands while palm fronds rustle in the cool sea breeze. Welcome to… Mogadishu. This is the image that one young Somali woman wants the world to have of her home city – in contrast to the one of suicide attacks and young men wielding AK-47s that many people currently associate with Somalia's capital. Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader is among a growing number of local guides taking visitors beyond the headlines to explore Mogadishu's beauty spots, historic sites and culture.

Her favourite spot is Jazeera beach, where visitors can enjoy the sea before heading to nearby sand dunes. "It's one of the tourist attractions where we bring our guests. It's a nice place," says the 23-year-old. The dunes, she adds, remind some visitors of the Sahara. But her tours are about more than scenic views. She also takes visitors to the fish market, where they discover the variety of marine life available along Somalia's extensive coastline and to parts of the city that reflect its history as a busy Indian Ocean trading centre, with the influences of both its Ottoman and Italian former rulers. Visitors can also sample Somali