WORLD RELIGION DAY
"The highest truth is not to be found in any one religion, but in the common values shared by all."
The Social Science Department of MAHE Cooperative College of Teacher Education organized a celebration to mark World Religion Day on January 20th, 2025. Although the official World Religion. Day was observed on January 19th, the department chose to hold the event on the following day, Monday, to ensure maximum participation.
The event was aimed at promoting interfaith understanding, tolerance, and respect among students and faculty. It was a platform to highlight the importance of recognizing the diverse religious beliefs and practices across the globe and fostering a spirit of unity in diversity.
The celebration commenced with keynote speech delivered by Shahin Sulthana, who spoke eloquently about the core values of World Religion Day-respect, understanding, and peace. Her address underlined the importance of embracing religious diversity and the role of education in nurturing a harmonious society.
World Religion Day is observed annually on the third Sunday of January. It was established in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States to promote interfaith understanding, dialogue, and the recognition of the commonalities shared by the world's religions. This day encourages people of all faiths to come together, celebrate their shared values, and work toward peace, unity, and cooperation.
The primary objective of World Religion Day is to foster respect and understanding among people of different religious backgrounds. It aims to highlight the importance of unity, shared ethical values, and the belief that all major religions stem from a common source. The day is an opportunity to break down barriers of ignorance and prejudice by encouraging dialogue and mutual respect. World Religion Day was first introduced in the United States by the Bahá'i community, which believes
that all religions represent a progressive revelation of truth. The initiative seeks to raise awareness that despite outward differences, there is a fundamental unity underlying all religious traditions. The day was chosen to be observed on the third Sunday of January, offering an annual occasion for spiritual leaders and followers of different faiths to come together and engage in interfaith discussions. Key Themes:
claim to truth. 1. Unity of Religion: World Religion Day emphasizes that all religions lead to the same spiritual truths, offering different paths to the same goal. It highlights that no religion holds an exclusive
2. Interfaith Dialogue: Encouraging conversations between different religious communities is a central theme of World Religion Day. These dialogues help dispel misunderstandings and promote collaboration on social and moral issues.
3. Peace and Understanding: Through the recognition of shared values like compassion, love, and justice, the day promotes a culture of peace and understanding, where the focus shifts from division to cooperation.
4. Common Ethical Principles: Most religions emphasize ethical principles such as the Golden Rule ("Treat others as you would like to be treated"), which underpins the universal appeal of World Religion Day. The observance encourages people to reflect on these shared values and their potential to create a more harmonious world.
Although World Religion Day originated in the United States, it has since spread to many countries around the world. Local communities and interfaith organizations celebrate the day by hosting events such as discussions, panel talks, prayer services, and community activities. These events are designed to encourage respect for diverse spiritual traditions and to reinforce the idea of global unity.
In cities and towns worldwide, interfaith gatherings allow religious leaders and followers to share their beliefs, engage in collaborative projects, and develop a deeper understanding of each other's practices and traditions. These events are often marked by a focus on common goals, such as social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
World Religion Day serves as a reminder that, despite the differences that may divide religiouscommunities, there are deep connections between them. The day's observance provides an opportunity to build bridges, rather than walls, by promoting dialogue that encourages mutual respect and understanding.
The impact of World Religion Day is particularly significant in a world marked by religious tensions and conflicts. By focusing on shared spiritual values, it helps to shift the narrative from division to unity. Participants leave the day with a greater appreciation for both their own religion and the beliefs of others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness in a diverse world.
World Religion Day is a vital observance that plays a crucial role in promoting harmony among the world's various faith traditions. It encourages interfaith dialogue, peace, and mutual respect while reminding individuals of the common ethical principles that underlie all religions. By observing this day, people of different beliefs can work together to create a more compassionate and understanding world, united in diversity.
Prepared by:
SHAHIN SULTHANA. V.P