Nuur Hassan

My Name is Sahal

What happens to a boy whose country vanishes just as he becomes a man? My Name is Sahal is a moving debut novel that explores the story of a generation whose dreams were reshaped by war, exile, and displacement. Born in Somalia in the early 1970s, Sahal grows up in peaceful neighbourhoods where schools are strong, friendships are fierce, and futures are bright. Like many of his classmates, he imagines himself becoming a doctor, a teacher, a poet, or an engineer. Then the collapse comes: civil war tears through the country, scattering families, ending lives, and forcing thousands into exile. Told through the reflective voice of Sahal, now in his fifties and living in Europe, the novel traces a journey across decades and continents. From dusty classrooms in Baidoa to the crowded chaos of refugee camps, and finally to the quieter, complex rhythms of diaspora life, Sahal's story is one of survival and remembrance. Along the way, the reader meets unforgettable mentors, friends shaped by hardship, and the haunting memory of those who never made it. This is not only one man's story but a universal tale of resilience in the face of loss, of the fragile bonds that hold communities together, and of the quiet courage it takes to carry memory across generations. At its heart, My Name is Sahal is a tribute: to those who survived, to those who disappeared, and to those still searching for who they were meant to be. Rich in humanity, deeply reflective, and resonant with themes of exile, faith, and belonging, this novel speaks to anyone who has ever asked: What does it mean to remember where you come from when the place itself is gone?