The 25-year-old shared her jubilant journey with AFP, narrating her transition from novice to adept rider while donning her preferred outfit: a striking black cowboy hat paired with an abaya that swirled majestically with her movements, offset only by her singular pink-tinted shades.
An astonishing fact: Muse first saddled up merely a year ago. Now she’s eyeing a spot in the national equestrian federation, aiming to beam Somali spirit onto the global stage.
Faced with a metaphorical mountain of hardships, Muse’s spirit proved tougher than a two-dollar steak. Initially, “finding even a single horse was like locating a needle in a haystack,” she confessed, reflecting on her early trials.
Post relentless training, becoming fluent in her newfound passion felt like reaching the summit. “I’m chuffed to bits to have morphed into a seasoned equestrian,” she enthused, her words colored with a sense of pride one might expect from a knighted royal.
Her personal steed, described affectionately as “lovely,” complements her adventurous journey—a partnership forged in ambition and grit.
Societal norms, replete with gender expectations, also attempted to block her trail, testing her resolve in a country deeply rooted in traditional values.
“Through my actions,” Muse stated, “I strive to normalize and affirm that women saddled on horses aren’t outlandish, but rather a beautiful testament to cultural integration, well within our religious bounds.” Her brave stance resonates across her homeland like ripples in water.
Yahye Moallim Isse, her trainer and self-proclaimed number-one fan, labeled her feats as a catalyst for aspiration among Somali citizens.
Fueling this narrative further is Muse’s equally charismatic sister, Nadifo, whose entrepreneurial beauty salon has gained an unexpected upswing. Clients, bewitched by Muse’s equine companion, joyously snap selfies, capturing memories alongside a symbol of empowerment.
Nadifo enthusiastically expressed the family’s shared sentiment: “We are immensely proud of what Shukri’s achieved.”
In the heart of this tale is a shining beacon of optimism—a gallant emblem of the cautious but undeniable peace settling over Mogadishu, which once grappled harshly with the label “most perilous city on earth.”
Despite grappling with the aftermath of decades-worth of civil unrest, coupled with combatting the tenacious Al-Shabaab feats and climate turmoil, hope peeks through for Somalia.
Abdifatah Abdi Haji Nur, a native who recently returned to find his city transformed, disclosed to AFP his gratitude for newfound security, characterizing Muse’s horse-riding as a “heartening testimony” to this growing tranquility.
Among those tailing Muse’s parade through the city streets was Mohamed Adam Hassan, caught in the momentum and amusingly pondering a shift from tuk-tuk fumes to equestrian elegance.
As Muse gears up to add horse-riding as another arrow in Somalia’s cultural quiver, her aspirations to represent her country in global equestrian events further magnify. Her journey hilariously echoes the old adage: ‘Can’t ride off into the sunset without a goal in mind—those sunsets are big business now.’
Report by Axadle
