Join us at an upcoming ‘Meet My Religious Neighbor’ events
Ramadan Prayer and Iftar Meal
On March 8th, from 6:00–7:30 pm, we will attend a Ramadan prayer and Iftar meal at Masjid an-Noor (1117 42nd St, 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
On Sunday, March 16 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.
Iowa Religious Freedom Day
Iowa Religious Freedom Day was founded to celebrate all the good that faith communities do in Iowa, as well as to remind all Iowans to respect each other’s faith background, whatever it may be.DMARC is proud to sponsor this year’s Iowa Religous Freedom Day event and we hope to see you there on April 10. View the speaking lineup at Iowareligiousfreedomday.org.
Vaisakhi Service and Celebration
On Sunday, April 12, 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.
Meet My Religious Neighbor
The “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. To learn more, visit our friends at the Comparison Project at Drake University.
