How Palestine’s ‘Speed Sisters’ allowed girls to dream in the face of war

The Speed Sisters, the first all-female racing team in the Arab world. From left: Marah Zahalka, Noor Daoud, Maysoon Jayyusi, Betty Saddeh, Mona Ennab - (Speed Sisters)

Pondering the start of a remarkable journey, Palestinian aid worker Maysoon Jayyusi remembers the moment vividly. “I had to drive fast to avoid getting hit,” she says, matter-of-factly. “Young people and soldiers fired tear gas and threw stones at us.

“It was simple: I started driving fast to avoid getting caught.”