Meet My Religious Neighbor: Roads To Religion
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 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 - 15:00 | Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Iowa, 33916 155th Ln, Madrid, IA, 50156, United States
On Sunday, March 8 from 11:00am–3:00pm (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.
Here is the updated schedule (as of 3/5):
* 11:00 AM – Noon: Pooja & Holika Dahan* Noon – 1:00 PM: Lunch* 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Colors & DJ Raj

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.
