Baháí

The Bahá'í Faith, commonly called Bahá'í, is a monotheistic world religion founded in the 19th century by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia (present-day Iran). It grew from the Bábí movement and teaches the unity of humanity and the belief that religious truth is revealed progressively through independent investigation of reality.

Central figures are the Báb, who announced a new era in 1844, and Bahá'u'lláh, who announced his mission in 1863. Bahá'í scripture emphasizes the oneness of God, the unity of humankind, and principles for personal and social transformation. Key beliefs include the gradual fulfillment of religious truth through successive messengers and the unity of all religions. Core social principles include the elimination of prejudice, gender equality, universal education, the harmony of science and religion, and the establishment of world peace.

Practices and institutions: Bahá'ís do not have clergy and are governed by elected bodies at local and national levels, with the Universal House of Justice as the global governing institution, established in 1963 and seated in Haifa, Israel. Local administrative bodies are called Local Spiritual Assemblies; national ones National Spiritual Assemblies. The faith emphasizes developing communities through consultation, service, and the building of Bahá'í houses of worship (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) and communal devotional gatherings.

Daily practice includes personal prayer and meditation; adult believers observe a 19-day fast before the Bahá'í New Year, and the year is punctuated by several holy days and the Nineteen Day Feast, a monthly gathering for worship, groups, and consultation.

The Bahá'í Faith has a worldwide presence, with communities in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, counted in the low millions. Education, social development, and interfaith engagement are central to its activity.