This religion was founded in the year 1863 in what is now Iraq. Bahai
faith has spread to most parts of the world.
Bahais believe that God sent a series of Prophets to teach eternal moral
truth and to reveal new social principles. Their prophets include such
religious leaders as the ancient Hebrews, Abraham and Moses, Jesus Christ,
and Mohammed. Bahais believed that the latest prophet was a Persian called
Bahaullah - "Glory of God" who founded the Bahai faith. Bahaullah declared
that all religions honour the same God and the highest form of worship is
service to other human beings. He also taught God wants all people to form
a united society based on mutual acceptance of one another. Bahaullah
opposed discrimination based on age, race, or sex and he favoured a
federated system of Government.
BAHAULLAH
Persian religious leader originally named Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri.
One of the first disciples of the Bab, he and his half-brother
Subhi Azal became the leaders of the Babi faith. In 1863,
shortly before being exiled to Constantinople, he declared himself the manifestation of God,
the Promised One, as fortold by the Bab. He then founded Baha'ism and wrote its fundamental book,
Kitabi Ikan (tr. The Book of Certitude, 1943).
He spent most of his adult life in prison or under close surveillance.
He died in Acre; his tomb there is one of the monuments of the Baha'i faith.
HISTORY
The Bahai faith grew out of Babi faith, a religious founder in Persia -
(Iran), in 1844 by Sayyed Ali Muhammed, also called the BAB - "Gate". Bab
predicted that soon a great Prophet would appear. The Persian government
imprisoned Bahaullah and exiled him to Baghdad. In the year 1863, he
proclaimed himself to be the predicted Prophet. Most of the Babis accepted
the claim and became known as the Bahais.
The Bahais have about 17,000 local Councils called Local Spiritual
Assemblies. The International Governing Body called The Universal House of
Justice meets in Haifa in Israel.
The Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A., is a
magnificient structure. The Bahai house of worship in New Delhi stands in
the shape of a huge Lotus, infact it is an architechtural marvel.
* * *
|
