Artists from seven countries, from the United States to the Philippines, flew into the Somali capital to perform as part of the festival aimed at promoting peace. Mogadishu has been torn apart by more than two decades of civil war. The Aruba Hotel used to host a bustling night-club, but the building now remains a ghostly shell after years of bombardment.

Somali band Waahaya Cusub performs at the International Solidarity Concert as part of the Mogadishu Music Festival in Somalia's capital on March 29, 2013. This was the second concert organised as part of the historical festival, which is the first of its kind in over two decades since civil war broke out in Somalia in 1991. Phil Moore (AFP)/Getty Images Phil Moore/Al Jazeera Somali band Waayaha Cusub headlined a series of concerts as part of the Mogadishu Music Festival, the first event of its kind in more than 25 years, and the first time the anti-al-Shabaab group have performed in their home city.

Phil Moore Monday, April 08, 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia - Mogadishu has come to symbolise the epitome of the war-torn city. The Somali capital was engulfed by civil war in 1991 when President Siad Barre's regime collapsed, leading to open conflict between competing warlords. US forces intervened in 1993, culminating in the Battle of Mogadishu, in which 18 Americans and hundreds of Somali militiamen and civilians lost their lives. Last week, amid secrecy and last-minute preparation, 18 entertainers waged a war of a very different kind, as international artists from seven countries performed in Somalia's first formal music event in more than 25 years. The city once had a thriving music scene, with Somali jazz filling the night air in the 1960s and '70s. But the hard-line al-Shabaab group outlawed music in 2009, and despite their ouster by African Union forces in 2011, the hangover from al-Shabaab's rule has remained. International acts from the US to Sudan supported Waayaha Cusub, a Somali hip-hop collective who formed while in exile in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. They had never before played a concert in Mogadishu. Shiine Ali, who founded the group, has spoken out strongly against al-Shabaab, which made him a target in 2007 when gunmen shot him five times and left him for dead. Since then, his lyrics have continued to encourage Somalis to turn their back on al-Shabaab. He believes these concerts represent a major milestone in Mogadishu's return to normality. Festival-goers revelled in the opportunity to see acts such as Waayaha Cusub to dance and let down their hair - literally. The organisers hope that it will usher in a new era in the city's turbulent history.

Tallaabo;935938 wrote: Waar isaga mooyee cid kale oo ay seefi qaaday majirto. The dude messed with the wrong people and suffered its harsh consequences. The war planes were brought into Somaliland at our request. Just like Yay used the Ethiopian tanks to subjugate Xamar, the Duriyadda folks used Britain's flying machines to make the old man and his gang run for their dear lives:) This is one for the records!

AfricaOwn;935280 wrote: visit your local police station to help you define the term "Known to police", they'll tell you it means that the person was involved with criminal activity in the past. I dealt with cops and the courts. And every black male is known to the cops.

Wadani;935268 wrote: This is required at times if warranted. If degenerate lifestyles arent stigmatized within our communities and those who adopt them aren't held responsible for the outcome of their actions (yes even death) the problem will only get worse. These boys were plucked from war zone and thrown into ghetto centers of the west with no father figures (even if the father is physically present). Do you really expect them to take the straight path? lol@AfricaOWn Every black male is known in the inner cities to police whether he is guilty of anything or not.

A complicated issue with no easy answer...........

Good to hear that guys! We will try to get her to Boston.

Even the Constitution looks hurried.

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Mama Hawa Spring 2013 Book Tour Schedule-Show your support!

lol@Mike n Khalid.

I have yet to see anyone make good argument against this man-just insults.

oba hiloowlow;935095 wrote: Abkoow taking a morning walk in the beach Nice!!

Saacid is from Xiin's tol:D

Haatu....The man is versatile....

Underneath, Alpha is a queen.

Jacpher...You are making an assumption.

^LOL

LOL

Blessed..It's not just that, If you just take a look. Those defending mix-marriages are saying 'reverts are better than Somalis' or referring to Somali men as lesser sex, on the other, the other group are just trashing entire Somali women. Either, we are being insulted. Ironically enough, I think my homeboy rudy made one valid point.

Apophis;934819 wrote: I was born in Mogadishu and I never supported Somalia to be ripped in half, can you say the same ya jacbuur? You think people are going to forget all those years you were stripping for S/L?? Give it up. LOL you really had to say you were born in Xamar, dude you are being b!tch slapped by secessionist of all people.

The only victims in these sorts of conversations are Somali people.

A_Khadar;934776 wrote: Welcome to Somalia... Thank you:-)