Please join us for our next Meet My Religious Neighbor open house Sunday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Iowa Sikh Association on 1115 Walnut Street in West Des Moines.

For this open house, we will be joining the Sikh community for its regularly scheduled Sunday workshop service. Approximately one hour of hymns (kirtan) will be followed by a short prayer (aardas), an exposition of the passage of the day (hookah nama), and the serving of the “holy pudding” (karah prashad). Following the service, everyone is invited to join the congregation for langar — a free, vegetarian meal.

Guest should dress modestly, avoid pointing outstretched legs at the holy book and altar, and also avoid turning their back to the holy book and altar (at least in close proximity to it). Shoes must be removed to enter the sanctuary. Simple kerchiefs (which are provided) must be worn by men and women.

Monique Rodriguez, College of Arts and Sciences