In Sha Allah, If God Wills It
The Real-Life Story of an Afghan Combat Interpreter

Quotes

“Read this story and open your hearts; humankind was born to love.” Helen Keiser-Pedersen, past president of Connecticut Gold Star Mothers, co-founder of APK Charities, in memory of Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel (KIA March 11, 2013)

“In a world where we are bombarded with soundbites and seconds-long video clips disguised as entertainment and news, Ron Farina delivers a true gem of a story with the power to change how we think about people, cultures, places, and institutions. No angle—just experience. Truth. Life is complicated. Ron doesn’t simplify it; he dives in deep so the reader can understand how circumstances and decisions guided—and impacted—Abdul Atah’s life. From before his birth to the present day, this is not simply the story of an Afghan interpreter; it is a story of the Afghan people, a story of the U.S. military, of brotherhood and family, and of friendship and empathy from people halfway around the globe. Once again, Ron Farina opens our eyes to a world unfamiliar to most. If we are open to listening—to learning from the stories Ron chooses to tell, like In Sha Allah—we are better for it. Ron’s telling of Abdul’s story is not sensational; it is remarkable.” Bob Vitale, president of Sticks for Soldiers

“Ron Farina, an award-winning novelist and short story writer, has brought all his narrative skills to bear in this remarkable nonfiction portrait of one Afghan man, Abdul, from a remote village in Afghanistan, a translator for a decade for U.S. troops. In a time when so many Americans stereotype immigrants, Farina zooms in to show us the humanity of this one resilient individual who served with bravery and distinction. The reader watches Abdul grow from a boy to a man, from an Afghan to an Afghan-American, each step a harrowing challenge that he meets every time. By focusing on his individual story, Farina shows us Abdul’s personhood and asks us to see him for what he is—a man who served, not who we imagine he might be.” Mary Collins, award-winning nonfiction author

“In Sha Allah follows Abdul Atah from the early days of his life as a boy in a remote Afghan mountain village to a new life in America. His path is shaped by faith, family, and unwavering loyalty. When he leaves the village as a young man and becomes a combat interpreter for the United States military, he walks a dangerous line—one that demands courage and sacrifice at every turn. Guided by award-winning author Ron Farina, this powerful narrative invites you into a world where trust is fragile, freedom is never guaranteed, and one man’s journey becomes a testament to resilience. Through moments of danger, heartbreak, and unexpected hope, readers walk beside Abdul, seeing what he sees, smelling the air of each village, feeling the weight of every sacrifice. It is a story that reveals the complexity of family ties, the cost of standing by one’s beliefs, and the quiet heroism woven into everyday survival.” Jeff DeWitt, USAF veteran and author of the book series Connecticut Military Heroes