Profile: The Baha'i Faith

Founded:  In 1844, by Mirza Ali Muhammad (Bab); The religion takes it's name from his successor, Mirza Husayn Ali (Baha'u'llah).

Current Organization: Universal House of Justice (nine members) administrates the Baha'i Faith internationally. National Spiritual Assemblies (nine members) administrate national Baha'i concerns. Local Spiritual Assemblies (nine members) administrate Baha'i concerns on a local level. All governing bodies are elected democratically.

Description: Baha'i is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.  According to their teaching, God, who is transcendent, manifests Himself through certain individuals.  They claim these are Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah.  Baha'u'llah is considered the apex of all previous Manifestations.  The themes of Baha'i are absolute equality for all peoples, unity of religions and nations, the eradication of poverty and prejudice, and international justice.  Baha'i thus claims to be a modern religion that deals with contemporary issues head on, without the baggage of ancient dogmas that would divide peoples, rather than unite them.  Some of their sacred writings are Selections From the Writings of the Bab, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book), Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitude), Baha'i Prayers, Some Answered Questions.

Official Website:    www.bahai.org     Publications: The American Baha'i, The Baha'i Newsreel, Brilliant Star (for children), One Country, World Order.

News Stories:

Articles:

Synopsis and Timeline of Bahai

A Short History of Bahai

A Closer Look at Bahai