Raquel Evita Saraswati – About
Photo: Jussi K. Niemela, for Helsingin Sanomat/The Helsinki Times
Raquel Evita Saraswati is an American Muslim activist whose main interests are religion and human rights, conflict resolution, women’s issues and democracy.
As a freelance journalist, Raquel Evita’s work has been published in papers and journals worldwide, including in Ha’aretz, the Middle East’s newspaper of note; Publico, Portugal’s largest daily, and more. She has lectured in North America and Europe on issues like honor killings, dissent, and the role of women in transforming the Muslim world. She has also worked as a case manager with HIV and AIDS patients, the homeless, recent immigrants, those recently released from incarceration and other at-risk communities.
In 2007, Raquel Evita received the prestigious Colin Higgins Youth Courage Award, granted to “those individuals who have endured overwhelming hostility and hate, yet have handled themselves with the utmost grace.”
Check her out on MySpace, and contact her at raquelevita@raquelevita.com.
“Another world is not only possible, she’s on the way. And, on a quiet day, if you listen very carefully – you can hear her breathe.”
- Arundhati Roy
***********************************************************************************
YOU ROCK!!!!!
never give up
You do rock – you are a rock. But I want more of the rock. I check every day for new post and I get disapointed. Come on Raqi, start writing – you are not banned in Turkey for nothing, you know.
Read my comment above – more of the rock!
now you are a published chica as well.
Asalaamu Alaikum,
Sister I have a press release about Islamic Introductions, a Muslim Matchmaking Service that I founded. http://www.islamicintros.com. Insha’Allah I would like to send it to you to post. I think your readers will find the information very useful.
Please let me know where I can send it.
Ma Salaama
Asalaamu Alaikum,
This is Lalomi Atwa following up on my request to submit a press release for your review and publishing.
Ma Salaama
Salaam! I love the new template you have here, and I’m glad to see you’re posting often!
You are fabulous~ keep the insight and perspective coming. <3
Masha’a Allah! What a beautiful AND enlightened sister.
Hi,
I wanted to ask if it’s possible to be included in an upcoming article on your blog. There is a new libe of buttonhijabs which is awsome.
thank you
I’ve been active for awhile; but just started blogging. Interested in reading more about you. Assalaamu alaykum,
5pillar.wordpress.com
astagfirullah..oh may God , it’s cruel.i don’t know ? what can i do ? i hope that all is over.
imassumarni05@wordpress.com
Assalamu`alaikum Sis Raquel,
I just wanted to leave a comment here telling you how much I admire what you do and the courage you have masha`Allaah. I agree with what you said on the Hijab Blog about homosexuality, I am so glade someone else shares my opinions and tolerance. I didn`t want to leave another “fire-breathing” comment there because it seems like a blog about hijab has exploded into the religious police?! Anyways masha`Allaah and alHumdulilaah on your efforts I wanted you to know I totally support your effort and the things you are doing!
For the love of Allah, you wear a Hijab and promote the acceptance of Gays, you confused.
Yo, She never said anything about Homosexuality on that site, some catholic lady did.
Anyway! Real nice blog, I’ll be reading this on the regular. You’re very insightful and informative. Look forward to reading all the posts:)
as salam aleykoum sis
you introduce yourselve as a scholar
so i would like to ask in which university or college you gratuated from, and in which fiel you are scholar
jazakallah ou kheiryan
Im so proud of you and the values you stand for. Be true to the cause always and keep blogging!
please read the story of LOT. It is in the Qur’an. It speaks about how Allah (swt) destroyed the homosexuals. A3oothou Bilallahi min ash-shaytan ar-rajeem. Muhammad (pbuh) clearly said that Homosexuals are cursed. Subhanallah, Homosexuality is not normal.. and just because i say that, it doesnt mean im closed-minded. Im a Muslim and I believe what the Quran and my messenger tell me… Homosexuality was not accepted by our messenger and therefore shoudln’t be by us.
salam. Nice to actually know you when I browsed about islamic feminists in wikipedia. I really appreciate your effort, but the only thing that kinda disappointing is that you’re “anti”-Hamas. I think that Hamas is the one who actually really fight for the Palestinians rights to live. It is very acceptable for Hamas to struggle military if we heard about what happened on the Sabra and Shatila massacre 1982.
Btw, once again, nice to know you. I’m a muslimah from Jakarta, Indonesia.
RAQIIII! Thanks for sending me to your blog!!! girl you were so awesome in high school and you’re still so active and inspiring. Keep in touch missy.
You are an amazing woman who humbles herself with the grace that God has given you.You were created for a purpose and as a Muslim woman have a powerful voice.THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION!
Asalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu
Im another amatuer blogger here (Jannahdreams.blogspot.com) and Ive just stumbled across your blog. Subhanallah – you do some amazing things it seems…
Keep doing what your doing – you truly are an inspiration.. if only there were mpre sister with your passion and drive inshAllah
Ma salaama
x
macha lah can you contact me at my E-Mail
Raquel mashAllah you’re amazing!
I aspire to be a human rights lawyer and activist and reading yor blog gives me a lot fo inspiration. Could you hopefully tell me a little bit how you reached this point in your life?
Great work on here, best of luck in doing what you do.
ALL SUPPOT FROM SHARIA LAW STUDENT AT ALAZHAR UNIVERSTY, NEVER GIVE UP .
Salam alaykum,I was impressed until I looked closer and saw that some of the sites you prmote are againest Islam i.e Muslims againest Sharia !!! There can not be such a thing. Learn your deen. Allah (swt) is not unjust-The law is not outdated though the implimentation by Muslims maybe unjust there is a difference and I do not see how these sites are created by muslims who have any knowlegde and it is a shame someone like yourself promote them.
Assalamualaikum…
Never give up to the last breath, never ending struggle 
insya 4JJ Rahmah and Hidaayah 4JJ will always with you my sister, If you feel exhausted, remember how hard Rasulullah Muhammad (blessed by HIS name) never tired in teaching islam, if you do some mistake, istighfar, learn more, and if possible make it right, if not consider it as a lesson. If you feel already done many thing, then look at the sea, your deeds and knowledge is only like a glass of water compared to the sea. Allahualam Bishawab
Wassalamualaikum
***Hi mrs Raquel Evita Saraswati ***
***** *******
**** ****
** **
***
**
you have an individual personality
thanks a lot for your attention
you are more dynamic and artist in influence
,kindness and master in visual learning
ultimate bliss bliss bliss for you
Dear Raquel Evita
You confuse me. You seem to be doing good work in helping the muslims progress into the 21st century, but why don’t you honour your own femininity?
You wear fashionable hidjab like the new breed of Sharia-Babes that has appeared these last couple of years in western countries.
Why not go all the way and join proud women of the world, who are not ashamed of their hair?
I cannot respect women who submit to the male claim that women are dangerous and must be covered in order for the muslim man to control his sexual urges. I just don’t get it.
good job raquel keep going wish you all the best
fadwa