World Religion Day

World Religion Day
Observed byBaháʼís, interfaith and multi-faith organizations[1]
TypeInternational, cultural
SignificanceCelebration of the oneness of religion and its role in human society
DateThird Sunday in January
2023 dateJanuary 15  (2023-01-15)
2024 dateJanuary 21  (2024-01-21)
2025 dateJanuary 19  (2025-01-19)
2026 dateJanuary 18  (2026-01-18)
Frequencyannual
First timeDecember 8, 1949

World Religion Day is an observance that was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States, which is celebrated worldwide on the third Sunday in January each year. Though initiated in the United States, World Religion Day has come to be celebrated internationally by followers of the Baháʼí Faith.[1]

Described as a "Baháʼí-inspired idea that has taken on a life of its own",[2] the origins of World Religion Day lie in the Baháʼí principles of the oneness of religion and of progressive revelation, which describe religion as evolving continuously throughout the history of humanity.[3][4] The purpose of World Religion Day is to highlight the ideas that the spiritual principles underlying the world's religions are harmonious, and that religions play a significant role in unifying humanity.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b c Buck 2011, pp. 936–938
  2. ^ a b J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann, eds. (September 21, 2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. pp. 3138–3139. ISBN 9781598842043.
  3. ^ Smith, Peter (2000). "Progressive revelation". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 276–277. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  4. ^ Rameshfar, Saphira (January 9, 2016). "January 17, 2016 – World Religion Day: Celebrating Our Unity". The Interfaith Observer. Retrieved June 28, 2017.