The Baha’i : Introduction To The Region

This movement began in Teheran in 1817 with the birth of Mirza Hussein All At the age of 46, this son of Persian nobility renamed himself Baha’u'l-lah, which means -’Glory of God,” and began preaching non-violence and the unity of all religions. Baha’u'llah’s arrival had been foretold in 1844 by the Persian Siyyid AH Muhammad (also known as Al-Bab, or “Gateway to God"), the first prophet of the Baha’i religion, who had heralded the coming of a new religious teacher and divine messenger. Baha’u'llah was imprisoned and then exiled to Palestine, where he continued his teachings in the city of Akko. Baha’u'Uah is buried near Akko, and Al-Bab is buried in Haifa, which is currently home to a large Baha’i population.

Baha’u'llah’s teachings fill over 100 volumes. In keeping with his message, the religion incorporates elements of major Western and Eastern religions. Baha’i believe in a Supreme Being, accepting Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, and Baha’u'llah as divine prophets. Baha’i Scripture includes the Bible, the Quran, and the Bhaga-vad-Gita. A central doctrine of the faith regards the Baha’i vision of the future. As opposed to both Western and Eastern religions that warn of a final Judgement Day or an end of the world, Baha’u'llah prophesied a “flowering of humanity,” an era of peace and enlightenment to come. Before this new age can arrive, however, the world must undergo dreadful events to give civilization the impetus to reform itself. The Baha’i espouse racial unity, sexual equality, global disarmament, and the creation of a world community. The rapidly-growing Baha’i faith currently boasts about five million adherents, with 1.5 million converts world-wide in the last six years.