In a city long known for decades of conflict and instability, a sign of everyday life returning has appeared in the most unexpected place: a modern bowling alley in Mogadishu. The Feynuus Bowling Center — the first of its kind in Somalia’s capital — has opened its doors to locals and members of the Somali diaspora returning home after years abroad.

For millions of Somalis who fled civil war and militant violence, public social spaces were once almost unthinkable. But improved security conditions, expanded government presence, and growing private investment have begun to change that. Cafés and beaches are bustling again, and now the sound of bowling pins crashing echoes across streets once dominated by fear.

Young people are gathering to bowl, laugh, and socialise, while Somali-Canadians and UK-based returnees are discovering a version of Mogadishu that feels safer than they expected. One visitor said she was amazed to find a “place like this” and encouraged others to visit, noting that the city actually feels safe.

The bowling alley has also created jobs for local youth and reflects broader shifts in the economy and social life. Economists and urban planners see such venues as small but meaningful indicators of recovery — where recreation, business, and community life begin to intertwine again after years of violence.

In a place that has endured so much, the return of ordinary pleasures offers a powerful reminder of resilience and hope.