World Religion Day

Every year, on the third Sunday of January, people from all cultures and backgrounds come together to celebrate World Religions Day. The day celebrates to develop understanding between all religions and unite everyone, whatever their religious beliefs.

About World Religion Day

Baha'i is a form of belief that emerged in 19th-century Persia and adheres to three core principles: the unity of God, religion, and humanity. The Baha believe that there is a single god and that the spirituality of all the religions of the world is derived from this single god. They also believe that all human beings are created equal and have the same rights and obligations without distinction.

Consistent with this philosophy, the Baha'is National Spiritual Congress of the United States proclaimed World Religion Day in 1949. The first such day was celebrated in 1950.

The day calls on members of all the world's religions to recognize that all religions have a common spiritual goal.

History of World Religion Day

World Religions Day is initiated by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'í Faith. It started in the US state of Maine as a day for World Peace. Adopted World Religions Day in October 1947. By 1949, the event was being celebrated in other parts of the United States and in 1950 it was known as World Religions Day. It was decided that one day a year all religions should be celebrated and their similarities appreciated.

How Can We Celebrate World Religion Day

World Religions Day is celebrated in different ways. Many people attend special services. The focus of these services is to better understand other religions and celebrate the similarities between all of them. It's about promoting the common message of treating each other with respect to create a better world for all.

Below are some interesting ways to celebrate this day:

• Take the time to learn about different faiths from around the world.

• Be aware of how many different religions, even smaller ones, are known about.

• Tell others about their religion and take the time to tell people about your religion.