ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Somalia is recovering from its worst terrorist attack in modern history.

About 300 are dead, and another 300 injured, after a double car bombing in the capital of Mogudishu.

Western New York is home to one of America’s largest communities of Somali-Americans, like Hani Ali.

“Everybody never expected this,” Ali said. “We just got a new president, and we’re hoping for the best, and here it is. We’re kind of going backwards.”

That new president has Buffalo roots. Ali is friends with his daughters, and has family in Mogudishu. They are all safe, but frightened.

“They’re already scared every day,” Ali said. “That’s their life. They pray that they make it to the next day.”

She says they live in fear of groups like Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group likely responsible.

“Why would you still want to kill your blood, your people, and destroy your country that’s already been destroyed?” Ali said.

Ali says this attack destroys lives, morale and Somalia’s image abroad.

“The reputation of Somalia being thrown away, and defined in a fearful way,” she said.

And she says that impacts her life here in America.

“I will be facing this consequence. I will be called ‘pirate’ already. I’ve called so many other stuff. But then this is another scary moment, where like, ‘Oh, you’re al-Shabaab probably too.’”

Ali says those stereotypes are the result of ignorance about Somalia and Somali-Americans.

“We’re in the United States. I’m a citizen,” said Ali, “So having less judgment, and viewing us like human beings.”