Angkor Wat Friendship Inc.

Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Inc.
Common name	Angkor Wat Friendship
Alternative names	Angkor Wat Friendship Association; AWFA
Type	Religious organization
Focus areas	Theravada Buddhism; Cambodian cultural preservation; community gathering
Subjects	Religion & Spiritual Life
City	Des Moines
State / province	Iowa
Country	United States
Headquarters country	United States
Address	1301 19th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Founded	1988
Website	Website
Donation	Donation
Contact	641-990-5458; [email protected]; [email protected]
Operating status	active

The Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Inc. (also styled Angkor Wat Friendship Inc.) is a Cambodian-American cultural and religious organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. It was founded in 1988 by Cambodian refugees who had come to Iowa in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge, and grew out of Wat Iowaram, the first Theravada Buddhist temple in Iowa. Over time, the community purchased a building at its Des Moines address to serve as a temple, meeting hall, and cultural center. (Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community; Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society)

History

The Iowa Asian Alliance dates the association to 1988 in Des Moines, when a single monk performed ceremonies in a rented house. The Drake University Comparison Project instead states that the community was incorporated in the 1970s. (Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community; Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society)

Wat Iowaram was the original name of the temple. The community bought its building on 19th Street and titled it the Cambodian Buddhist Society. A separate nonprofit, Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc (EIN 26-4801767), has been tax-exempt since October 2010 and is listed at 1332 18th Street, Des Moines. (Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society; ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc; Cause IQ, Cambodian Buddhist Society / Wat Iowaram)

Religious services and cultural programs

The organization functions both as a Buddhist temple and as a community-association hub for the Iowa Cambodian diaspora. It hosts Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, and Kathina ceremonies; Sunday religious services in Khmer; and cultural events (dance, food, language) open to the broader Iowa Asian community. Iowa Asian Alliance and Drake University community-profile sources describe the association as a longstanding anchor of the Iowa Cambodian community, though they note that the physical temple building has been in disrepair and that the community has periodically discussed fundraising for renovations. (Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community; Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society)

The Drake profile names the Venerable Eang Muon Op as head monk and reports a monthly Tak Bat alms offering held at the monk's home because the temple building is in disrepair. (Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society)

The association serves Cambodians across Iowa as well as Kansas City and Columbia in Missouri and Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska, and hosts Khmer New Year each April. (Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community)

In 2026 it organized a Cambodian New Year's Eve celebration at the Scottish Rite in Des Moines, 519 Park Street, with live music, Khmer dance, breakdancing, Cambodian food and a family area. Tickets were $25 for adults and $5 for children. It has also held an AWFA Fall Cultural Celebration in Ankeny. (Axios Des Moines, Cambodian New Year's Eve (April 6, 2026); Zeffy, 2026 Khmer New Year tickets; Zeffy, Angkor Wat Friendship Association Inc)

Leadership

Current leadership includes a president (contact: 641-990-5458, [email protected]) and a head monk ([email protected]). The organization maintains a Facebook page for community announcements.

Emily Frimml is president. In May 2025 she succeeded Sanaye Chung as president of the Iowa Cambodian Buddhist Society, which shares space with the Wat Iowaram temple on 19th Street. (Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community; Axios Des Moines, Cambodian New Year's Eve (April 6, 2026); Carl Voss, Let's catch up (May 2025))

Visiting and participation

Address: 1301 19th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Contact: 641-990-5458; [email protected]
Website: Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Facebook page
Temple listing: Wat Iowaram, 1301 19th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314, (515) 247-0189 (2558 Khmer Buddhist Temples Directory (2014))
2014 directory listing: 1718 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA 50316, (515) 263-9275 (National Cambodian American Organizations directory (2014))

Recent events

Fall Cultural Celebration: the AWFA Fall Cultural Celebration was held on September 19, 2026 at 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny. (Zeffy, Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Inc.)

Donations to the association, which it describes as supporting its mission of preserving Cambodian culture through education, the arts and charitable work, can be made through Zeffy. (Zeffy, Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Inc.)

Temple relationship

Wat Iowaram and the separately identified Cambodian Buddhist Society are attributed distinctly. The 1301 19th Street location below is the published associated temple location, not proof of this association’s registered office or current public access. (Cambodian — Iowa Asian Alliance; Cambodian Buddhist Society)

Sources