Seven Nights Till Dawn

At the age of five only, Tooran watched his world ignite as Soviet rockets streaked across the Afghan sky, marking the beginning of a decades-long war that would upend his family and his homeland. Through the eyes of a child, readers witness the sudden transformation of a peaceful, vibrant Kabul into a city of fear and uncertainty. As the occupation deepened, Tooran’s father was arrested and brutally tortured twice by the Communist regime. His family’s desperate bid for survival eventually led them on a perilous escape through the mountains of Afghanistan under cover of darkness, guided by smugglers known as coyotes, in search of safety in Pakistan and beyond.

Spanning continents and generations, Seven Nights Till Dawn chronicles the unbreakable strength of a family determined to rise above oppression. Popal reflects not only on the terrors of war but also on the resilience of the human spirit, highlighting how hope, humor, and purpose can be found even in the midst of devastating loss.

Both heart-wrenching and inspiring, this true story captures the experience of countless refugees who have risked everything for freedom. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest nights, dawn is always within reach.