Baha'i communities throughout the United States and elsewhere observed World Religion Day on Jan. 16 through a variety of activities.

World Religion Day
In Tallahassee, Florida, members of various faiths gathered for an a cappella event. In Grand Junction, Colorado, a Baha'i artist used different-colored grains of sand to create a work of art. "Music That Brings Us to God" was the theme of the holiday celebration in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. And in a well-attended interfaith celebration in Poway, Calif., the oneness of humanity was symbolized by a procession of children of various faiths.

World Religion Day, which is observed on the third Sunday in January, was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, the U.S. Baha'i administrative body. The Assembly's purpose was to call attention to the role of religion as the motivating force for world unity.

The day is celebrated by hosting interfaith discussions, conferences and other events that foster understanding and communication among the followers of all religions.

As stated in the Baha'i writings: "Religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind for it is a message of peace and goodwill to man from God" and "Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein."