Baha’i
The Shrine of the Báb, Haifa, Israel
Baha’i is a young religion compared with most other world faiths. It was founded in Iran (then Persia) in the 1860s by Bahá'u'lláh, who the Baha’i see as the most recent in a line of prophets.
Baha’i builds on the beliefs of the three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – as well as on other religions that originated in the Middle East.
Like the Abrahamic religions, Baha’i believe that there is one God who has created all things but that he sent divine messengers or prophets, who include Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. The Baha’i call these prophets ‘Manifestations of God’.
Bahá'u'lláh’s spiritual and social teachings address the fractured world of modern times. He said: ‘The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.’ This notion of the equality and unity of all humanity is a central tenet of Baha’i and the Baha’i community works to challenge racism, gender discrimination and other forms of prejudice and inequality.
Anyone who accepts the teachings of the Bahá'u'lláh and indicates that they want to become part of the Baha’i community can do so, and they do not have to give up their previous religious affiliation, if they have one.
Find out more
The Baha’i Faith
www.bahai.org/
Explains the history, beliefs and activities of the Baha’i international community and has lots of links to related sites.
Baha’i Shrines Become Recognised World Heritage Sites
www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/7484
Report on two Baha’i shrines in Israel being the first sites connected with a religious tradition born in modern times to be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
