The Comparison Project

2025 Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp: Digitalstory Screening
2025-07-13 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Drake University (Meredith Hall), 2805 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
This year marks the ninth consecutive year of our interfaith youth leadership camp. From July 9-13, youth campers of various religious traditions will be learning about the religions of the world and visiting seven different religious communities in the metro area. Also, they will each be writing, recording, and producing a digital-story about an impactful personal faith- or meaning-experience. These stories will be screened for the public on Sunday, July 13 at 3:30 pm in Meredith Hall 101 on Drake’s campus. Free and open to the public!

To watch digital stories from the last eight camps, visit here: https://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/camp-archive/.

Devan Stahl, “The Protestant Work Ethics, Eugenics, and Quality of Life Measures”
2025-09-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States

Meet My Religious Neighbor: Es-Selam Mosque Grand Opening
2025-09-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Islamic and Cultural Center: Bosniak, 17630 Bosniak Lane, Granger, IA, 50109, United States
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, we celebrate the grand opening of the Es-Selam mosque in Granger (at 17630 Bosniak Lane). More information when available!

"Two Idealized Cosmologies of Gender Relation in Islam," by Zilka Spahić Šiljak
2025-10-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Drake University, Olmstead Center (Sussman Theater), 2875 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
We are honored to host a lecture on October 1, 2025 by Zilka Spahić Šiljak entitled “Two Idealized Cosmologies of Gender Relation in Islam.” The lecture will occur in Sussman Theater on the lower level of the Olmsted Center on Drake’s campus (2875 University Ave).

“Two Idealized Cosmologies of Gender Relation in Islam” explores two contrasting cosmologies of gender relations within Islam: the patriarchal paradigm, which has historically dominated Islamic thought and practice, and the egalitarian paradigm, which continues to struggle for recognition and authority. Through a critical examination of the works of three male and one female progressive Muslim scholars, the lecture interrogates the foundations of gender equality in Islamic discourse. It highlights how textual fundamentalism reinforces the illusion that normative guidance is solely derived from sacred texts, while overlooking the interpretive agency of the believing community. In contrast, progressive scholars advocate for a performative and dynamic relationship with the text, one that emphasizes contextual reading, ethical responsibility, and communal engagement. This approach challenges hegemonic interpretations and opens space for more inclusive and egalitarian readings of Islamic tradition.
Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Associate Professor at the University of Sarajevo, is a scholar and activist from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She holds a Ph.D. in gender studies, MA in human rights and BA in religious studies. She was lecturer and research fellow at Harvard University, Stanford University, Arizona State University, Pittsburgh University and several universities in Europe. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on the intersection of religion, gender, politics, and peacebuilding, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary and interreligious feminist thought. In 2021 she launched FER (Feminism and Religion) online school at University of Sarajevo. She is director of the TPO Foundation and founder of the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) in Sarajevo. She is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on gender justice, religion, and gender-based violence and leadership.

Meet My Religious Neighbor: Baháʼí Celebration of Birth of Baháʼu’lláh
2025-10-23 17:00 - 18:00 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States
On Thursday, October 23, we celebrate the birth of the founder of the Baháʼí faith, Baháʼu’lláh. This event, a “19 Day Feast” consisting of Devotional, Administrative, and Social components, will occur from 5:00–5:50 pm, just prior to the lecture at 6:00 by Herbert Moyo, at the Harkin Institute.

Herbert Moyo, "Ukukhubazeka (Disabilities) in the Nguni Cultural Worldview"
2025-10-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States

Meet My Religious Neighbor: Multi-faith Concert
2025-11-02 18:30 - 20:00 | West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, 50265, United States
On Sunday, November 2nd, the Des Moines Area Religious Council will host a multi-faith concert at the West Des Moines Christian Church. Check back later for details!

Syed Zaidi, "Islam and Disability"
2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States
On Thursday, November 20, at 6:00 pm in the Harkin Institute (2800 University Ave), Dr. Syed Zaidi, Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion at Butler University, will lecture on “Islam and Disability.”

Meet My Religious Neighbor: Meditation Workshop and Dialogue
2025-12-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Drake University (Meredith Hall), 2805 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
On Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, The Comparison Project hosts a “Meditation Workshop and Dialogue” in Meredith Hall on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the pubic, features meditation instructors representing different religious and spiritual traditions and techniques. Light breakfast fare will be available.

Meet My Religious Neighbor: Roads To Religion
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Drake University, Olmsted Center (Parents Hall), 2875 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
On Sunday, February 15, from 3:00–5:00 pm, Drake University’s The Comparison Project, in conjunction with the “Iowa Interfaith Exchange,” hosts “Roads to Religion” in the Olmsted Center (Parents Hall) on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, features dozens of local religious communities, collectively representing at least a dozen religious traditions. These communities will be arranged throughout the hall as if on a map of the metro area. Visitors will receive a map to guide them in their exploration of them. Refreshments will be provided by Drake’s catering service, Sodexo.

Baolin Wu, "Reverence, Humility, and Friendship: On Confucius’s Interactive Interpretation of Disability Care"
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States
On Thursday, February 26, at 6:00 pm in the Harkin Institute (2800 University Ave), Dr. Baolin Wu, Assistant Professor of Religion at Minzu University of China, will lecture on “Reverence, Humility, and Friendship: On Confucius’s Interactive Interpretation of Disability Care.”

Ramadan Prayer and Iftar Meal
2026-02-28 17:45 - 19:00 | Ezan: Islamic and Education Center, 6206 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, 50322, United States
On Saturday, February 28 from 5:45–7:00 pm, we will attend a Ramadan prayer and iftar meal” at Ezan Islamic and Cultural Center, the Bosnian Islamic mosque at 6206 Douglas Ave in Des Moines. The event includes the sunset (maghrib) prayer, the breaking of the fast, and an iftar meal.

Please dress appropriately: women should be covered below the elbows and knees and should cover their head/hair with a scarf. Men should wear long pants.

Holi Service and Celebration
2026-03-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Iowa, 33916 155th Ln, Madrid, IA, 50156, United States
On Sunday, March 8 from 11:00am–1:00pm (roughly), we will join the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center (33916 155th Lane, Madrid) in the annual celebration of Holi. Guests will be able to tour the temple, observe the Holi fire ritual (Holika Dahan), throw colored powered at one another, and dance.

Please dress accordingly if you are going to participate in the throwing of colors.

Lunch is available for purchase from the temple.

This event is part of the “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series, which is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

Helen Lee Turner, "Disability and Personhood among the Navajo People"
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States
On Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 pm in the Harkin Institute (2800 University Ave), Dr. Helen Lee Turner, Professor of Religion at Furman University, will lecture on “Disability and Personhood among the Navajo People.”

Sarah Jean Barton, “'The Work of the People': Disability and Participation in the Christian Tradition"
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, 50311, United States
On Thursday, April 9 at 6:00 pm in the Harkin Institute (2800 University Ave), Dr. Sarah Jean Barton, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics at Duke University, will lecture on “’The Work of the People’: Disability and Participation in the Christian Tradition.”

Vaisakhi Service and Celebration
2026-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Iowa Sikh Association, 1115 Walnut Street, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50265, United States
On Sunday, April 19, we will celebrate the annual holiday of Vaisakhi from roughly 12:00 to 2:00 pm with the Sikh gurdwara in West Des Moines, the Iowa Sikh Association (1115 Walnut St.).

The service will include many of the elements of a typical Sunday worship service: the signing of hymns (kirtan), reading from sacred scripture (Guru Granth Sahib), community prayers (aardas), and the sharing of the sacred sacrament (karah prashad, the so-called “holy pudding”), after which a free vegetarian meal will be served (langar). Dress modestly, remove shoes at door, and don a head scarf (available at the door for both women and men). Also, refrain from pointing outstretched legs toward the holy book/altar.

This event is part of the “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series, which is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.
