Bahai SymbolBAHA'I FAITH


History

This religion is formally called the Baha'i Faith. It was originally considered a break-away sect of Islam, but has since grown to be a world-wide faith. Mirza Ali Muhammed (born 1819) assumed the tile Bab which means the one who foretells the arrival of the new prophet. He formed a movement called Babists. He was murdered in 1850 by religious zealots who felt that Islam should be preserved at all costs in its then current form.

One of the Bab's followers Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri (1817-1892) believed himself to be the anticipated prophet. He assumed the title Baha' U'llah, and spent most of his adult life in jail or exile. His son Abdu'l Baha (1844-1921) took over leadership of the movement after his father's death.

The religion came to North America in 1893. There are now about 6 million members in over 200 countries. There are 14,730 followers of the Bah'ai Faith in Canada (1991 Census) The Baha'is are still looked upon by many Muslims as a breakaway sect of Islam. They are heavily persecuted in some areas because of this.


Beliefs:

Baha'i's believe that God is transcendent and unknowable. However, He has sent a series of prophets to mankind, each with a new revelation. They are: Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Confucius, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Hare Krishna, Bab and Baha' U'llah. They see a basic unity in many of the major religions of the world; all religions are seen to have a part of the truth. The Baha'i Faith is an attempt to unify all of the world's great religions.

Unlike most religions which attempt to preserve the past, Baha'i Faith beliefs promoted major evolutionary change when originated in the 19th century: gender equality, world government, freedom of expression, world peace. Followers are heavily involved in promoting these concepts today.


Practices:

The Supreme House of Justice in Haifa, Israel is the top governing body. National Spiritual Assemblies of 9 elected members each govern the local groups, which are called Spiritual Assemblies. There are no clergy, sacraments or rituals. Members:

Sacred Texts

Most were written by Baha' U'llah. They are: The Book of Certitude, Hidden Words, The Most Holy book, Seven Valleys, and about 100 others.

Holy Days:

The year begins on March 21, approximately at the spring equinox. Other seasonal days of celebration are:
  1. April 21, 29 & May 2 Baha' U'llah's calling and mission
  2. May 23 Bab' calling
  3. May 29 Death of Baha' U'llah
  4. July 9 Death of Bab
  5. October 20 Birth of Bab
  6. November 12 Birth of Baha' U'llah

You can consult:
http://www.bcca.org/~glittle/ for more information about the Baha'i Faith.


Return to the OCRT home page.