World Religion Day 2026 – and courage

This year World Religion Day falls on Sunday 18 January though schools will often be marking it in the weeks before or after.

Founded by the US Baháʼí community in 1950, World Religion Day was intended to highlight how the spiritual principles underlying the world's religions are harmonious, and how religion can play a significant role in unifying humanity.

It was set to be observed on the third Sunday of January, but its widespread adoption for interfaith events and activities – not least in schools - has meant that in practice there is flexibility about its timing.

For teachers looking for a Baháʼí component to their World Religion Day programme for this year, a story in the latest edition of Brilliant Star may be helpful.

Brilliant Star is a magazine for young people aged 8-12 published by the US Baháʼí community. It aims to “empower kids to be world citizens, use their virtues to make the world a better place, and express their creativity, strengths and beliefs”.

The theme of the latest edition is courage. It includes (on pages 4/5) a story from the life of Bahá’u’lláh illustrating his courage, with an accompanying Wordsearch for words related to courage and trust in God.