Baha'is from around the world.

Who are the Baha'is?

Bahá'ís are members of an independent religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh. Originating in Iran over a century ago, the Bahá'í Faith has followers in over 300 countries and territories, from India to Bolivia, from Ireland to Tasmania, from Sweden to Japan.

Bahá'ís believe in the unity of God and accept the divine origin of religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Bahá'ís advocate the unity of nations and races, the establishment of universal peace, the equality of the sexes, and the abolition of all forms of prejudice. Drawn from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, the Bahá'í international community includes the members of over 1,600 tribes and minority groups.

Bahá'ís propose the adoption of an international auxiliary language, the abolition of barriers to international economic and cultural exchange, and the development of institutions that would ensure lasting peace.

Bahá'ís abstain from partisan polities, refuse to assume hostile attitudes or to engage in violence, emphasizing instead the need to spiritualize humanity and to apply moral standards to institutions as well as to individuals.

Bahá'ís believe that this day is the Promised Day spoken of in the Scriptures, that this day is the one in which peace will finally be established in the world, after a period of terrible warfare and suffering. Bahá'ís believe that the chaotic age in which we now live will ultimately give way to an age of peace and justice and an era in which every soul can discover its unique purpose.

Dedicated to the elimination of all forms of prejudice

Baha'u'llah gave special attention to the problem of prejudice. At the heart of His message is a call for mutual understanding and fellowship among nations, cultures, and peoples. There is, Bahá'u'lláh insists, only one human race. Assertions that a particular group of people is in some way superior to the rest of humanity are without foundation. Prejudice--whether based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or class--is a baneful heritage that must be overcome if humanity is to create a peaceful and just global society.

Bahá'u'lláh specifically counseled His followers to make an active effort to rid themselves of all prejudices which breed contention and strife. In His primary ethical work, The Hidden Words , Bahá'u'lláh exhorted human beings to reflect on this question:

"O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since we have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest."

The very diversity of the human race is, in fact, a means for creating a world based on unity rather than uniformity. It is not by the suppression of differences that we will arrive at unity, but rather by an increased awareness of and respect for the intrinsic value of each separate culture, and indeed, of each individual. It is not diversity itself which is the cause of conflict, but rather our immature attitude towards it, our intolerance and misconceptions of others.