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DANIA AKEEL, LALEH SEDDIGH Lead Middle East Rally Revolution

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July 13, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • DANIA AKEEL made history in 2025 as the first Saudi woman to win a Dakar Rally stage, just seven years after women gained legal driving rights in Saudi Arabia.
  • Iranian legend LALEH SEDDIGH pioneered cross-country rally in the early 2000s, battling male competitors who formed impenetrable chains to block her passes, yet she consistently claimed podium positions.
  • Rising talents including 22-year-old JOANNA HASSOUN (Lebanon), 27-year-old FARAH ZAKARIA (Jordan), and NORA AL JASSASI (UAE’s first female rally racer) represent the new generation pushing boundaries.
  • DOMINIQUE SERRA created the women-only Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in 1990, using analog navigation across Morocco’s Sahara, building legitimacy for female competitors over 36 years despite funding and recognition challenges.

UPCOMING:

  • No specific upcoming events mentioned in article

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

DANIA AKEEL FARAH ZAKARIA

dakar rally, rally racing, rallye aïcha des gazelles

GRRL! summary based upon reporting originally appearing on www.huckmag.com