Baha'i Faith

Published on Monday, September 8th 2008

Seat of the Universal House of Justice, governing body of the Baha'is, in Haifa, Israel

Baha'i Faith

Central figures

Baha'u'llah
The Bab * `Abdu'l-Baha

Key scripture

Kitab-i-Aqdas * Kitab-i-Íqan

The Hidden Words
The Seven Valleys

Institutions

Administrative Order
The Guardianship
Universal House of Justice
Spiritual Assemblies

History

Baha'i history Timeline
Babis Shaykh Ahmad

Notable individuals

Shoghi Effendi
Martha Root Tahirih
Badi' Apostles
Hands of the Cause

See also

Symbols Laws
Teachings Texts
Calendar Divisions
Pilgrimage Prayer
Index of Baha'i Articles

The Baha'i Faith is a religion founded by Baha'u'llah in nineteenth-century Persia. There are an estimated five to six million Baha'is around the world in more than 200 countries and territories.

Baha'i teachings emphasize the spiritual oneness of humanity and the underlying unity of the major world religions. Religious history is seen to have unfolded through the influence of a series of divinely sent messengers, each of whom established a religion that was suited to the needs of the time. These messengers have included Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, the Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad and, most recently, the Bab and Baha'u'llah. In Baha'i belief, each messenger taught that other messengers would follow, and Baha'u'llah’s claims and teachings fulfil the eschatological promises of previous scriptures. Humanity is understood to be involved in a process of collective evolution, and the need of the present time is for the gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale.

The word “Baha'i” (/baehɒːʔiː/, /bəˈhai/, Persian: بهائی) is used either as an adjective to refer to the Baha'i Faith or as a term for a follower of Baha'u'llah, and the word is not a noun meaning the religion as a whole. It is derived from the Arabic Baha', meaning “glory” or “splendour”. “Bahaism” (or “Baha'ism”) has been used in the past but is fading from use.

Beliefs

The Baha'i teachings are often summarized by referring to three core principles: the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humankind. Many Baha'i beliefs and practices are rooted in these priorities; but taken alone these would be an over-simplification of Baha'i teachings.

God

Baha'i Temple, Ingleside, Sydney, Australia

The Baha'i writings describe a single, imperishable God, the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe. The existence of God is thought to be eternal, without a beginning or end, and is described as “a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent and almighty.” Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of his creation, with a will and purpose. In Baha'i belief, God expresses this will in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as Manifestations of God or sometimes divine educators. In expressing God’s intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world and to enable a relationship with God.

Baha'i teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image, by themselves; human understanding of God is through his revelation via his Manifestations of God. In the Baha'i religion God is often referred to by titles and attributes (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving), and there is a substantial emphasis on monotheism, and an interpretation of such doctrines as the Trinity in a symbolic rather than literal sense. The Baha'i teachings state that the attributes which are applied to God are used to translate Godliness into human terms and also to help individuals concentrate on their own attributes in worshipping God to develop their potentialities on their spiritual path. According to the Baha'i teachings the human purpose is to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer and reflection.

Symbols of many religions on the pillar of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois

Religion

Baha'i notions of progressive religious revelation result in their accepting the validity of most of the world’s religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God. Religious history is interpreted as a series of dispensations, where each manifestation brings a somewhat broader and more advanced revelation, suited for the time and place in which it was expressed. Specific religious social teachings (e.g. the direction of prayer, or dietary restrictions) may be revoked by a subsequent manifestation so that a more appropriate requirement for the time and place may be established. Conversely, certain general principles (e.g. neighbourliness, or charity) are seen to be universal and consistent. In Baha'i belief, this process of progressive revelation will not end; however, it is believed to be cyclical. Baha'is do not expect a new manifestation of God to appear within 1000 years of Baha'u'llah’s revelation.

Baha'i beliefs are sometimes described as syncretic combinations of earlier religions' beliefs. Baha'is, however, assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws, and history. Its religious background in Shi'a Islam is seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established. Baha'is describe their faith as an independent world religion, differing from the other traditions only in its relative age and in the appropriateness of Baha'u'llah’s teachings to the modern context. Baha'u'llah is believed to have fulfilled the messianic expectations of these precursor faiths.

Human beings

The Ringstone symbol represents humanity’s connection to God

The Baha'i writings state that human beings have a “rational soul”, and that this provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God’s station and humanity’s relationship with its creator. Every human is seen to have a duty to recognize God through his messengers, and to conform to their teachings. Through recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice, the Baha'i writings state that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Baha'i belief. When a human dies, the soul passes into the next world, where its spiritual development in the physical world becomes a basis for judgment and advancement in the spiritual world. Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.

The Baha'i writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of prejudice. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and tolerance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity. The Baha'i teachings state that the unification of humankind is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.

Demographics

The Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India attracts an average of 4 million visitors a year. It is popularly known as the Lotus Temple.

Baha'i sources usually estimate the worldwide Baha'i population to be above 5 million. Most encyclopedias and similar sources estimate between 5 and 6 million Baha'is in the world in the early twenty-first century.

From its origins in the Persian and Ottoman Empires, by the early 20th century there are a number of converts in South and South East Asia, Europe, and North America. During the 1950s and 1960s vast travel teaching efforts brought the religion to almost every country and territory of the world. By the 1990s Baha'is were developing programs for systematic consolidation on a large scale, and the early 21st century saw large influxes of new adherents around the world.

According to The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004:

“ The majority of Baha'is live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Baha'i community in the world is in India, with 2.2 million Baha'is, next is Iran, with 350,000, and the U.S., with 150,000. Aside from these countries, numbers vary greatly. Currently, no country has a Baha'i majority. ”

The Baha'i religion was listed in The Britannica Book of the Year (1992-present) as the second most widespread of the world’s independent religions in terms of the number of countries represented. Britannica claims that it is established in 247 countries and territories; represents over 2,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups; has scriptures translated into over 800 languages; and has seven million adherents worldwide [2005]. Additionally, Baha'is have self organized in most of the nations of the earth.

The Baha'i religion was ranked by the FP magazine as the world’s second fastest growing religion, with growth rate of 1.70 percent.

Teachings

Summary

Shoghi Effendi, the appointed head of the religion from 1921 to 1957, wrote the following summary of what he considered to be the distinguishing principles of Baha'u'llah’s teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas constitute the bed-rock of the Baha'i Faith:

“ The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Baha'u'llah proclaimed]. ”

Social principles

The following 12 principles are frequently listed as a quick summary of the Baha'i teachings. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by `Abdu'l-Baha during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912. The list is not authoritative and a variety of such lists circulate.

• Unity of God
• Unity of religion
• Unity of humankind
• Gender equality
• Elimination of all forms of prejudice
• World peace
• Harmony of religion and science
• Independent investigation of truth
• Universal compulsory education
• Universal auxiliary language
• Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics
• Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty

With specific regard to the pursuit of world peace, Baha'u'llah prescribed a world-embracing Collective Security arrangement as necessary for the establishment of a lasting peace.

Mystical teachings

Although the Baha'i teachings have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, there exist a number of foundational texts that have been described as mystical. The Seven Valleys is considered Baha'u'llah’s “greatest mystical composition.” It was written to a follower of Sufism, in the style of `Attar. It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Baha'u'llah to the West. The Hidden Words is another book written by Baha'u'llah during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Baha'u'llah claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.

Covenant

The Baha'i teachings speak of both a “Greater Covenant”, being universal and endless, and a “Lesser Covenant”, being unique to each religious dispensation. The Lesser Covenant is viewed as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion. At this time Baha'is view Baha'u'llah’s revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Baha'i writings being firm in the covenant is considered a virtue to work toward. The Greater Covenant is viewed as a more enduring agreement between God and mankind, where a manifestation of God is expected to appear approximately every 1000 years.

With unity as an essential teaching of the religion, Baha'is follow an administration they believe is divinely ordained, and therefore see attempts to create schisms and divisions as efforts that are contrary to the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Throughout Baha'i history schisms have occurred over the succession of authority. Baha'i divisions have had relatively little success and have failed to attract a sizeable following. The followers of such divisions are regarded as Covenant-breakers and shunned, essentially excommunicated.

History

Baha'i timeline

1844 The Bab declares his mission in Shiraz, Iran

1850 The Bab is publicly executed in Tabriz, Iran

1852 Thousands of Babis are executed

Baha'u'llah is imprisoned and forced into exile

1863 Baha'u'llah first announces his claim that he is the Promised One

He is forced to leave Baghdad for Constantinople, then Adrianople

1868 Baha'u'llah is forced into harsher confinement in `Akka, Palestine

1892 Baha'u'llah dies at the age of 75 near `Akka

His will appointed `Abdu'l-Baha as successor

1908 `Abdu'l-Baha is released from prison

1921 `Abdu'l-Baha dies in Haifa

His will appoints Shoghi Effendi as Guardian

1963 The Universal House of Justice is first elected

Baha'i history is often traced through a sequence of leaders, beginning with the Bab’s May 23, 1844 declaration in Shiraz, and ultimately resting on an administrative order established by the central figures of the religion. The tradition was mostly isolated to the Persian and Ottoman empires until after the death of Baha'u'llah in 1892, at which time he had followers in thirteen countries of Asia and Africa. Under the leadership of his son, Abdu'l-Baha, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffered intense persecution. After the death ofAbdu'l-Baha in 1921, the leadership of the Baha'i community entered a new phase, evolving from that of a single individual to an administrative order with a system of both elected bodies and appointed individuals.

The Bab

Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel.

On October 23rd 1844 Siyyid Ali-Muhammad of Shiraz, Iran proclaimed that he was "the Bab" (الباب "the Gate"), after a Shia religious concept. His followers were therefore known as Babis. As the Bab’s teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as a threat, Babis came under increased persecution, at times being forced to choose between renouncing their beliefs or being killed. Several military confrontations took place between government and Babi forces. The Bab himself was imprisoned and eventually executed in 1850.

Baha'is see the Bab as the forerunner of the Baha'i Faith, because the Bab’s writings introduced the concept of “He whom God shall make manifest”, a Messianic figure whose coming, according to Baha'is, was announced in the scriptures of all of the world’s great religions, and whom Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, claimed to be in 1863. The Bab’s tomb, located in Haifa, Israel, is an important place of pilgrimage for Baha'is. The remains of the Bab were brought secretly from Iran to the Holy Land and were eventually interred in the tomb built for them in a spot specifically designated by Baha'u'llah.

Baha'u'llah

Mirza Husayn `Ali of Nur was one of the early followers of the Bab, who later took the title of Baha'u'llah. He was arrested and imprisoned for this involvement in 1852. Baha'u'llah relates that in 1853, while incarcerated in the dungeon of the Siyah-Chal in Tehran, he received the first intimations that he was the one anticipated by the Bab.

Shortly thereafter he was expelled from Tehran to Baghdad, in the Ottoman Empire; then to Constantinople (now Istanbul); and then to Adrianople (now Edirne). In 1863, at the time of his banishment from Baghdad to Constantinople, Baha'u'llah declared his claim to a divine mission to his family and followers. Tensions then grew between him and Subh-i-Azal, the appointed leader of the Babis who did not recognize Baha'u'llah’s claim. Throughout the rest of his life Baha'u'llah’s gained the allegiance of most of the Babis, who came to be known as Baha'is. Beginning in 1866, he began declaring his mission as a Messenger of God in letters to the world’s religious and secular rulers, including Pope Pius IX, Napoleon III, and Queen Victoria.

Baha'u'llah was banished by Sultan Abdulaziz a final time to the Ottoman penal colony of Akka, in present-day [Israel][7]. Towards the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home nearAkka, while still officially a prisoner of that city. He died there in 1892. Baha'is regard his resting place at Bahji as the Qiblih to which they turn in prayer each day. During his lifetime, Baha'u'llah left a large volume of writings. The Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), and the Kitab-i-Íqan (The Book of Certitude) are recognized as major theological works, and the Hidden Words and the Seven Valleys as mystical treatises.

`Abdu'l-Baha

Abbas Effendi was Baha'u'llah's eldest son, known by the title ofAbdu'l-Baha (Servant of Baha). His father left a Will that appointed `Abdu'l-Baha as the leader of the Baha'i community, and designated him as the “Centre of the Covenant”, “Head of the Faith”, and the sole authoritative interpreter of Baha'u'llah’s writings.

Abdu'l-Baha had shared his father's long exile and imprisonment, which continued untilAbdu'l-Baha’s own release as a result of the Young Turk Revolution in 1908. Following his release he led a life of travelling, speaking, teaching, and maintaining correspondence with communities of believers and individuals, expounding the principles of the Baha'i Faith.

Baha'i administration

Baha'u'llah’s Kitab-i-Aqdas and _The Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha_ are foundational documents of the Baha'i administrative order. Baha'u'llah established the elected Universal House of Justice, andAbdu'l-Baha established the appointed hereditary Guardianship and clarified the relationship between the two institutions. In his Will, `Abdu'l-Baha appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as the first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith.

Shoghi Effendi throughout his lifetime translated Baha'i texts; developed global plans for the expansion of the Baha'i community; developed the Baha'i World Centre; carried on a voluminous correspondence with communities and individuals around the world; and built the administrative structure of the religion, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice. He died in 1957 under conditions that did not allow for a successor to be appointed.

At local, regional, and national levels, Baha'is elect members to nine-person Spiritual Assemblies, which run the affairs of the religion. There are also appointed individuals working at various levels, including locally and internationally, which perform the function of propagating the teachings and protecting the community. The latter do not serve as clergy, which the Baha'i Faith does not have.

The Universal House of Justice, first elected in 1963, remains the successor and supreme governing body of the Baha'i Faith, and its 9 members are elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies. Any male Baha'i, 21 years or older, is eligible to be elected to the Universal House of Justice; all other positions are open to male and female Baha'is.

Involvement in society

Work

Monasticism is forbidden, and Baha'is attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Performing useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship. Baha'u'llah prohibited a mendicant and ascetic lifestyle, encouraging Baha'is to “Be anxiously concerned” with the needs of society. The importance of self-exertion and service to humanity in one’s spiritual life is emphasised further in Baha'u'llah’s writings, where he states that work done in the spirit of service to humanity enjoys a rank equal to that of prayer and worship in the sight of God.

Baha'i gardens in Haifa, Israel.

United Nations

Baha'u'llah wrote of the need for world government in this age of humanity’s collective life. Because of this emphasis many Baha'is have chosen to support efforts of improving international relations through organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. The Baha'i International Community is an agency under the direction of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, and has consultative status with the following organizations:

• United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The Baha'i International Community has offices at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and representations to United Nations regional commissions and other offices in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago, and Vienna. In recent years an Office of the Environment and an Office for the Advancement of Women were established as part of its United Nations Office. The Baha'i Faith has also undertaken joint development programs with various other United Nations agencies. In the 2000 Millennium Forum of the United Nations a Baha'i was invited as the only non-governmental speaker during the summit. See this article for further information on the relationship between the Baha'i International Community and the United Nations.

International plans

In 1937 Shoghi Effendi launched a seven year plan for the Baha'is of North America , followed by another in 1946. In 1953, he launched the first international plan, the Ten Year World Crusade. This plan included extremely ambitious goals for the expansion of Baha'i communities and institutions, the translation of Baha'i texts into several new languages, and the sending of Baha'i pioneers into previously unreached nations. He announced in letters during the Ten Year Crusade that it would be followed by other plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, which was elected in 1963 at the culmination of the Crusade. The House of Justice then launched a nine year plan in 1964, and a series of subsequent multi-year plans of varying length and goals followed, guiding the direction of the international Baha'i community.

Current international plan

Since the late 1990s the House of Justice has been directing communities to prepare for large-scale expansion, organizing localities into “clusters”, creating new institutions such as Regional Councils and strengthening the various “training institutes”. The recently completed five-year plan (2001-2006) focused on developing institutions and creating the means to “sustain large-scale expansion and consolidation” (Riḍvan 158). Since 2001 the Baha'is around the world have been specifically encouraged to focus on children’s classes, devotional gatherings, and a systematic study of the religion, known as study circles. A new focus was added in December 2005 with the addition of “junior youth” classes to the core activities, focusing on education for those between 11 and 14.

The second five-year plan (2006-2011) was launched by the Universal House of Justice in April 2006; it calls upon the Baha'is of the world to establish advanced patterns of growth and community development in over 1,500 “clusters” around the world. It also alludes to a possible tier-election process for Local Spiritual Assemblies in localities with many Baha'is. The years from 2001 until 2021 represent four successive five-year plans, culminating in the centennial anniversary of the passing of `Abdu'l-Baha.

Study circles

Along with a focus on consolidation has come a systematic approach to education and community development. The “study circles” are intended to be sustainable and self-perpetuating on a large scale. Participants complete a sequence of workbooks in small groups, facilitated by a tutor, and upon completion of the sequence a participant can then go on to facilitate study circles for others.

The main sequence of courses for all localities is the books of the Ruhi Institute, whose materials were originally designed for use in Colombia. The first book studies three themes: the Baha'i texts, prayer, and life and death. Subsequent themes include the education of children, the lives of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, service, and others.

Social practices

Laws

Students of School for Girls, Tehran, 13 August 1933. This photograph may be of the students of Tarbiayt School for Girls which was established by the Baha'i Community of Tehran in 1911; the school was closed by government decree in 1934. Source: History of Baha'i Educational Efforts in Iran.

The laws of the Baha'i Faith primarily come from the Kitab-i-Aqdas, written by Baha'u'llah. The following are a few examples of basic laws and religious observances,

• Baha'is over the age of 15 should recite an obligatory prayer each day. There are three such prayers among which one can be chosen each day.
• Backbiting and gossip are prohibited and denounced.
• Adult Baha'is in good health observe a nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast each year from March 2 through March 20.
• Baha'is are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.
• Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus premarital or homosexual sex activity is forbidden.
• Gambling is forbidden.

While some of the laws from the Kitab-i-Aqdas are applicable at the present time and may be enforced to a degree by the administrative institutions, Baha'u'llah has provided for the progressive application of other laws that are dependent upon the existence of a predominantly Baha'i society. The laws, when not in direct conflict with the civil laws of the country of residence, are binding on every Baha'i, and the observance of personal laws, such as prayer or fasting, is the sole responsibility of the individual.

Places of worship

Baha'i House of Worship, Langenhain, Germany

Most Baha'i meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Baha'i centers, or rented facilities. Worldwide, there are currently seven Baha'i Houses of Worship, basically one per continent, with an eighth under construction in Chile. Baha'i writings refer to an institution called a “Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar” (Dawning-place of the Mention of God), which is to form the centre of a complex of institutions including a hospital, university, and so on. Only the first ever Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in `Ishqabad, Turkmenistan, was built to such a degree.

Marriage

Baha'i marriage is the union of a man and a woman. Its purpose is mainly to foster spiritual harmony, fellowship and unity between the two partners and to provide a stable and loving environment for the rearing of children. The Baha'i teachings on marriage call it a fortress for well-being and salvation and place marriage and the family as the foundation of the structure of human society. Baha'u'llah highly praised marriage, declaring it an eternal command of God, also discouraging divorce and homosexuality, and requiring chastity outside of marriage; Baha'u'llah taught that a husband and wife should strive to improve the spiritual life of each other. Interracial marriage is also highly praised throughout Baha'i scripture.

Baha'is intending to marry “should study each other’s character and spend time getting to know each other before they decide to marry, and when they do marry it should be with the intention of establishing an eternal bond.” Although parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals decide to marry, they must receive the consent of all living biological parents, even if one partner is not a Baha'i. The Baha'i marriage ceremony is simple; the only compulsory part of the wedding is the reading of the wedding vows prescribed by Baha'u'llah which both the groom and the bride read, in the presence of two witnesses. The vows are “We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God.”

Symbols

The calligraphy of the Greatest Name

The official symbol of the Baha'i Faith is the five-pointed star, but a nine-pointed star is more frequently used. The ringstone symbol and calligraphy of the Greatest Name are also often encountered. The former consists of two stars interspersed with a stylized Baha' (بهاء “splendor” or “glory”) whose shape is meant to recall the three onenesses. The Greatest Name is Ya Baha'u'l-Abha (يا بهاء الأبهى “O Glory of the Most Glorious!”), rendered in Arabic calligraphy.

Calendar

The Baha'i calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Bab. The year consists of 19 months of 19 days, with four or five intercalary days, to make a full solar year. The Baha'i New Year corresponds to the traditional Persian New Year, called Naw Ruz, and occurs on the vernal equinox, March 21, at the end of the month of fasting. Baha'i communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a Feast for worship, consultation and socializing.

Each of the 19 months is given a name which is an attribute of God; some examples include Baha' (Splendour), ‘Ilm (Knowledge), and Jamal (Beauty). The Baha'i week is familiar in that it consists of seven days, with each day of the week also named after an attribute of God; some examples include Istiqlal (Independence), Kamal (Perfection) and 'Idal (Justice). Baha'is observe 11 Holy Days throughout the year, with work suspended on 9 of these. These days commemorate important anniversaries in the history of the religion.

Persecution

The Baha'i cemetery in Yazd after its desecration by the government

Baha'is continue to be persecuted in Islamic countries, especially Iran, where over 200 believers were executed between 1978 and 1998. The marginalization of the Iranian Baha'is by current governments is rooted in historical efforts by Shi`a clergy to persecute the religious minority. When the Bab started attracting a large following, the clergy hoped to stop the movement from spreading by stating that its followers were enemies of God, and these led to mob attacks and public executions. Starting in the twentieth century, in addition to repression that impacted individual Baha'is, centrally-directed campaigns that targeted the entire Baha'i community and institutions were initiated. In one case in Yazd in 1903 more than 100 Baha'is were killed. Later on Baha'i schools, such as the Tarbiyat boys' and girl’s schools in Tehran, were closed in the 1930s and ‘40s, Baha'i marriages were not recognized and Baha'i texts was censored.

During the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, due to the growing nationalism and the economic difficulties in the country, the Shah gave up control over certain religious affairs to the clergy of the country. This resulted in a campaign of persecution against the Baha'is. They approved and coordinated the anti-Baha'i campaign to incite public passion against the Baha'is started in 1955 and included the spreading of anti-Baha'i propaganda in national radio stations and official newspapers. In the late 1970s the Shah’s regime, due to criticism that he was pro-Western, consistently lost legitimacy. As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread that some of the Shah’s advisors were Baha'is. Baha'is were portrayed as economic threats, supporters of Israel and the West and popular hatred for the Baha'is increased.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 Iranian Baha'is have regularly had their homes ransacked or been banned from attending university or holding government jobs, and several hundred have received prison sentences for their religious beliefs, most recently for participating in study circles. Baha'i cemeteries have been desecrated and property seized and occasionally demolished, including the House of Mirza Buzurg, Baha'u'llah’s father. The House of the Bab in Shiraz has been destroyed twice, and is one of three sites to which Baha'is perform pilgrimage.

According to a US panel, attacks on Baha'is in Iran have increased since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights revealed an October 2005 confidential letter from Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Iran to identify Baha'is and to monitor their activities. Due to these actions, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights stated on March 20, 2006, that she “also expresses concern that the information gained as a result of such monitoring will be used as a basis for the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Baha'i faith, in violation of international standards… The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating.” On May 14, 2008, members of an informal body known as the Friends that oversaw the needs of the Baha'i community in Iran were arrested and taken to Evin prison.

The Baha'is in Egypt have also faced hardship; on December 16, 2006 the Supreme Administrative Council of Egypt ruled the government may not recognize the Baha'i Faith in official identification numbers. The ruling left Egyptian Baha'is unable to obtain government documents, including ID cards, birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports, all of which require a person’s religion to be listed. They also could not be employed, educated, treated in hospitals or vote, among other things. On January 29, 2008 Cairo’s court of Administrative Justice, ruling on two related court cases, ruled in favour of the Baha'is, allowing them to obtain birth certificates and identification documents, so long as they omit their religion on court documents, however as of April 22, 2008 the Egyptian Ministry of Interior has yet to implement the ruling, and Baha'is remain without identification cards.

Reactions

Bernard Lewis states that the Muslim laity and Islamic authorities have always had great difficulty in accommodating post-Islamic monotheistic religions such as the Baha'i Faith, since the followers of such religions cannot be dismissed either as benighted heathens, like the polytheists of Asia and the animists of Africa, nor as outdated precursors, like the Jews and Christians. Moreover, their very existence presents a challenge to the Islamic doctrine of the perfection and finality of Muhammad’s revelation.

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD_Faith”