Month: November 2022

The site visit is to the grand opening and inauguration of the community center of the Hindu Cultural and Educational Center on 1960 East Army Post Road in Des Moines. On Saturday, October 1, from 1:30 to 6:00 pm, this Bhutanese Hindu community will offer a “cultural program” including cultural songs and dances, bhajans in which visitors can participate (religious singing and dancing), guest speakers and dignitaries, and an introduction to the community. Modest but comfortable attire is recommended. Visitors will need to remove shoes and should not point outstretched legs (feet) toward the statues (murti-s) of the Gods.

On Sunday, November 13, members of the local Bahai’i community will visit to Drake University to speak about the Bahai’i faith and conduct a Bahai’i service. The event, which will take place in the second-floor “Reading Room” in Cowles Library from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, will feature a “devotional portion” (reading prayers and writings), an “administrative portion” (reporting news and items of interest), and a “social portion” (sharing of food). Attendees are invited to participate or just to observe. This is the third “Meet My Religious Neighbor” event of the semester, most of which feature “religions without sites.” (MMRN is co-programmed by CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.)m, will feature several presentations, darshan (sacred viewing of a Jain tirthankara), aarti (sacred waving of flame), and Jain vegetarian “snacks.” This is the second “Meet My Religious Neighbor” event of the semester, most of which feature “religions without sites.” (MMRN is co-programmed by CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.)