According to Bahá'í teachings, religious history is seen as an evolving educational process for mankind, through God's messengers, which are termed Manifestations of God. Bahá'u'lláh is seen as the most recent, pivotal, but not final of these individuals. He claimed to be the expected redeemer and teacher prophesied in [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and other religions and that his mission was to establish a firm basis for unity throughout the world, and inaugurate an age of peace and justice, which Bahá'ís expect will inevitably arise.<ref name="esslemont">{{cite book |author= Esslemont, J.E. |year= 1980 |title= Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era |edition= 5th ed. |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id= ISBN 0877431604 |url= http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/je/BNE/}}</ref>

[[Image:Seat of the Universal House of Justice.JPG|thumb|260px|Seat of the [[Universal House of Justice]] in Haifa, Israel, governing body of the Bahá'ís]]

Three core principles of Bahá'í teachings are often referred to simply as: the [[Bahá'í concept of God|unity of God]], the [[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion|unity of religion]], and the [[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|unity of mankind]].<ref name="eor" /> Many Bahá'í beliefs and practices are rooted in these priorities; but taken alone these would be an over-simplification of Bahá'í teachings.

Bahá'ís believe in a single, imperishable [[God]], the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe.<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia | year = 1988 | title = The Bahá'í Faith | encyclopedia = Britannica Book of the Year | publisher = Encyclopaedia Britannica | location = Chicago | id = ISBN 0852294867}}</ref> The existence of God is thought to be eternal, without a beginning or end,<ref name="britannica" /> and is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent and almighty."<ref>{{cite book|first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink=Shoghi Effendi |year=1944 |title=God Passes By |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877430209 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-9.html#gr26 | pages= pp.139}}</ref> Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of his creation, with a will and purpose. Bahá'ís believe that God expresses this will in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as [[Manifestation of God|Manifestations of God]] or sometimes ''divine educators''.<ref name="eor" /> In expressing God's intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world.

Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image.<ref name="manifestation">{{cite journal | first = Juan | last = Cole | title = | year = 1982 | title = The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings | journal = Bahá'í Studies | volume = monograph 9 | pages = pp. 1-38 | url = http://bahai-library.org/articles/manifestation.html}}</ref> In the Bahá'í religion God is often referred to by titles (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving), and there is a substantial emphasis on [[monotheism]], as well as a rejection of such doctrines as the [[Trinity]].<ref>{{cite journal | title = Jesus Christ in the Baha'i Writings | first = Robert | last = Stockman | journal = Baha'i Studies Review | volume= 2 | issue = 1 | number = 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=`Abdu'l-Bahá |authorlink=`Abdu'l-Bahá |year=1990 |title=Some Answered Questions |page=113 |edition=Softcover |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0-87743-162-0 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/saq-27.html#pg113}}</ref>

[[Image:Wilmette how side.jpg|199px|left|thumb|Symbols of many religions on the pillar of the [[Bahá'í House of Worship]] in Wilmette, Illinois]]

Bahá'í notions of progressive religious revelation result in their accepting the validity of most of the worlds' religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God. Religious history is interpreted as a series of [[dispensationalism|dispensations]], where each ''manifestation'' brings a somewhat broader and more advanced [[revelation]], suited for the time and place in which it was expressed.<ref name="britannica" /> 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. Bahá'ís do not believe that this process of progressive revelation will end. They do, however, believe that it is cyclical. Bahá'ís do not expect a new manifestation of God to appear prior to 1000 years after Bahá'u'lláh's revelation.<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael D. |last=McMullen |year=2000 |title=The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity |publisher=Rutgers University Press |location=Atlanta, Georgia |id= ISBN 0813528364 |pages= pp. 7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=`Abdu'l-Bahá |authorlink=`Abdu'l-Bahá |year=1978 |title=Selections From the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá |edition=Hardcover |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0853980810 |pages=pp. 67|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAB/sab-34-printable.html}}</ref>

Bahá'í beliefs are sometimes described as [[Syncretism|syncretic]] combinations of earlier religions' beliefs. Bahá'ís, however, assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws, and history.<ref name="britannica" /> Its cultural and religious debt to the [[Shi'a Islam]]ic matrix in which it was founded is seen as analogous to the Jewish socio-religious context in which Christianity was established. Bahá'ís describe their faith as an independent world religion, differing from the other traditions only in its relative newness and in the appropriateness of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings to the modern context. Bahá'u'lláh is believed to fulfill the [[Messianic prophecy|messianic expectations]] of these precursor faiths.

[[Image:Ringstone.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The [[Bahá'í symbols#Ringstone Symbol|Ringstone symbol]] represents humanity's connection to God]]Bahá'ís believe 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 [[Manifestation of God|messengers]], and to conform to their teachings.<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael D. |last=McMullen |year=2000 |title=The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity |publisher=Rutgers University Press |location=Atlanta, Georgia |id= ISBN 0813528364 |pages= pp. 57-58}}</ref> Through recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice, Bahá'ís believe that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Bahá'í 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.<ref name="lafd">{{cite book | title = Life After Death: A study of the afterlife in world religions | last = Masumian | first = Farnaz | publisher = Oneworld Publications | location = Oxford | year = 1995 | id = ISBN 1-85168-074-8}}</ref> 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.<ref name="lafd" />

[[Image:Bahai-house-of-worship-delhi2.jpg|200px|thumb|The [[Bahá'í House of Worship]] in India attracts an average of 4 million visitors a year.]]

Encyclopædia Britannica | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica |date = 2002 |accessdate = 2006-05-31 |url= http://www.britannica.com/eb/table?tocId=9394911}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents |author= adherents.com | publisher = adherents.com |date = 2002 |accessdate = 2005-08-28 |url= http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Baha'i}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author= | title=The World Book Encyclopedia: 2003 ed edition | publisher=[[World Book|World Book Inc]] | year=2002 | editor=World Book editors | id=ISBN 0716601036}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Paul Oliver | title=Teach Yourself World Faiths, New Edition | publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0071384480}}</ref>

From its origins in the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Empires, the Bahá'í Faith had acquired a number of [[Western world|Western]] converts by [[World War I]]. Fifty years later its population has spread throughout the world as a result of [[Pioneering (Bahá'í)|Bahá'í pioneering]] efforts.

{{cquote|The majority of Bahá'ís live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Bahá'í community in the world is in [[India]], with 2.2 million Bahá'ís, next is [[Iran]], with 350,000, and the [[United States|USA]], with 150,000. Aside from these countries, numbers vary greatly. Currently, no country has a Bahá'í majority. [[Guyana]] is the country with the largest percentage of Bahá'ís (7%).}}

The Bahá'í religion was listed in ''The Britannica Book of the Year'' (1992&ndash;present1992–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].<ref name="britannica_stats" />

[[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 [[Bahá'u'lláh]]'s teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' constitute the bed-rock of the Bahá'í Faith:{{cquote|The independent search after truth, unfettered by [[superstition]] or [[tradition]]; the oneness of the entire [[Human|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 [[Bahá'í Faith and Language Policy|universal auxiliary language]]; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a [[World government|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 [[World peace|universal peace]] as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed].<ref>{{cite book |first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink=Shoghi Effendi |year=1944 |title=God Passes By |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877430209 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-20.html#gr7 | pages=pp. 281}}</ref>}}

The following 12 principles are frequently listed as a quick summary of the Bahá'í teachings. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]] during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912.<ref name="bcom">{{cite web | title = Principles of the Bahá'í Faith | publisher= bahai.com | date=2006-03-26 | url = http://www.bahai.com/Bahaullah/principles.htm | accessdate = 2006-06-14}}</ref> The list is not authoritative and a variety of such lists circulate.<ref name="bcom" /><ref>{{cite book | first = J.J.| last = Dewey | title = The Gathering of Lights | url = http://www.greaterthings.com/JJDewey/Gathering/ |chapter = The Three Revelations | year = 1999}}</ref>

:*[[Bahá'í concept of God|Unity of God]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion|Unity of religion]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|Unity of mankind]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and gender equality|Gender Equality]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|Elimination of all forms of prejudice]]:*[[World peace]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and Science|Harmony of religion and science]]

:*[[Bahá'í Faith and Education|Universal compulsory education]]:*[[Bahá'í Faith and Language Policy|Universal auxiliary language]]

Although it concentrates on social and ethical issues as well, some of the Bahá'í Faith's foundational texts might be described as mystical.<ref name="britannica" /> Shoghi Effendi has called the ''[[Seven Valleys]]'' Bahá'u'lláh's "greatest mystical composition." It was written to a follower of [[Sufism]], a mystic and esoterical tradition of Islam.<ref name="rob1">{{cite book |author= Taherzadeh, Adib |year= 1976 |title= The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 1: Baghdad 1853-63 |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853982708|pages = pp. 96-99}}</ref> It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Bahá'u'lláh to the [[Western world|West]]. The ''[[Hidden Words]]'' is another book written by Bahá'u'lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages described by `Abdu'l-Bahá as "a treasury of divine mysteries".

Bahá'ís have high regard for what is termed the "Greater Covenant", which they see as universal in nature, and from "time immemorial" has been carried through by the [[Manifestation of God|Manifestations of God]] of all ages.<ref>{{cite book |last= Taherzadeh |first= Adib |year= 1972 |title= The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853983445}}</ref> They also regard highly the "Lesser Covenant", which is viewed as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers, unique to each revelation, and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion.<ref name="momen_covenant">{{cite web | title = Covenant, The, and Covenant-breaker | last = Momen | first = Moojan | accessdate = 2006-06-14 | url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=momen_encyclopedia_covenant#3.%20The%20Lesser%20Covenant }}</ref> At this time Bahá'ís view Bahá'u'lláh's revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Bahá'í writings being firm in the covenant is considered as one of the main religious virtues a person can work toward.<ref name="momen_covenant" />

With unity as an essential teaching of the religion, Bahá'ís follow an [[Bahá'í administration|administration]] that they believe is divinely ordained, and therefore see attempts to create schisms and divisions as insignificant, doomed efforts which are contrary to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Throughout Bahá'í history schisms have occurred over the succession of authority.<ref name="momen_covenant" /> The followers of the various [[Bahá'í divisions]], who in total, number in the low thousands, are regarded as [[Covenant-breaker]]s and shunned,<ref name="momen_covenant" /> essentially [[Excommunication|excommunicated]].

[[Image:Shrine Bab North West.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Shrine of the Báb]] in Haifa, Israel.]]Bahá'í history is often traced through a sequence of leaders, beginning with the [[Báb]]'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 Empire|Persian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] empires until after the death of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892, at which time he had followers in thirteen countries of Asia and Africa.<ref name="rob4">{{cite book |author= Taherzadeh, Adib |year= 1987 |title= The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 4: Mazra'ih & Bahji 1877-92 |pages=125 |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853982708}}</ref> Under the leadership of his son, `Abdu'l-Bahá, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffered intense [[Persecution of Bahá'ís|persecution]].<ref name="affolter">{{cite journal | last = Affolter | first = Friedrich W. | year = 2005 | month = Jan. | title = The Specter of Ideological Genocide: The Bahá'ís of Iran | journal = War Crimes, Genocide, & Crimes against Humanity | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = pp. 75-114 | url =http://www.aa.psu.edu/journals/war-crimes/v1n1a3.pdf| accessdate = 2006-05-31}}</ref> After the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921, the leadership of the Bahá'í 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.

In 1844 Siyyid `Alí-Muhammad of [[Shiraz, Iran]] proclaimed that he was "the Báb" ({{ArB|الباب}} "the Gate"), after a [[Shi'a Islam|Shi`a]] religious concept.<ref name="affolter" /> His followers were therefore known as [[Bábism|Bábís]]. As the Báb's teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as a threat, Bábís came under increased persecution, at times being forced to choose between renouncing their beliefs or being killed.<ref name="britannica" /> Several military confrontations took place between government and Bábí forces. The Báb himself was imprisoned and eventually executed in 1850.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://bahai-library.com/theses/dying/ | last = Winter | first = Jonah | date =1997-09-17 | title= Dying for God: Martyrdom in the Shii and Babi Religions | journal = Master of Arts Thesis, University of Toronto }}</ref>

Bahá'ís see the Báb as the forerunner of the Bahá'í Faith, because the Báb's writings introduced the concept of "[[He whom God shall make manifest]]", a Messianic figure whose coming, according to Bahá'ís, was announced in the scriptures of all of the world's great religions, and whom Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, claimed to be in 1863.<ref name="britannica" /> [[Shrine of the Báb|The Báb's tomb]] is located in [[Haifa|Haifa, Israel]], and is an important place of [[Bahá'í pilgrimage|pilgrimage]] for Bahá'ís. The remains of the Báb were brought secretly from Persia to the Holy Land and were eventually interred in the Shrine built for them in a spot specifically designated by Bahá'u'lláh.<ref name="balyuzi">{{cite book |first=Hasan |last=Balyuzi |year=2001 |title=`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh |edition=Paperback |publisher=George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id=ISBN 0853980438}}</ref>

Mírzá Husayn `Alí of Núr was one of the early followers of the Báb, who later took the title of Bahá'u'lláh. He was arrested and imprisoned for this involvement in 1852. He claimed that while incarcerated in the dungeon of the [[Síyáh-Chál]] in [[Tehran]], he received the first intimations that he was the one anticipated by the Báb.<ref name="eor" /> He announced this in 1863.

Shortly thereafter he was expelled from [[Persian Empire|Persia]] to [[Baghdad]],<ref name="eor" /> in the [[Ottoman Empire]]; then to Constantinople (now [[Istanbul]]); and then to Adrianople (now [[Edirne]]). During this time tensions grew between Bahá'u'lláh and [[Subh-i-Azal]], the appointed leader of the Bábís, culminating in Bahá'u'lláh's 1866 declaration.<ref name="iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Iranica |year= 1989 |article=Baha'-allah}}</ref> While in Adrianople, he wrote letters to several rulers of the world, including Sultan [[Abdülâziz]], declaring his mission as a Messenger of God. As a result Bahá'u'lláh was banished a final time, to the penal colony of `Akká. (Now [[Acre, Israel|ʻAkko]], in present-day [[Israel]].)<ref name="iranica" />

Towards the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home near `Akká, while still officially a prisoner of that city.<ref name="iranica" /> He died there in 1892. Bahá'ís regard his resting place at [[Mansion of Bahjí|Bahjí]] as the [[Qiblih]] to which they turn in prayer each day. During his lifetime, Bahá'u'lláh left a large volume of [[Bahá'í literature|writings]]. The ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]] (The Most Holy Book)'', and the ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]] (The Book of Certitude)'' are recognized as major theological works, and the ''[[Hidden Words]]'' and the ''[[Seven Valleys]]'' as mystical treatises.

`Abbás Effendi was Bahá'u'lláh's eldest son, known by the title of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Bahá). His father left a [[Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh#Kitáb-i-`Ahd (Book of the Covenant)|Will]] that appointed `Abdu'l-Bahá as the leader of the Bahá'í community, and designated him as the "Centre of the Covenant", "Head of the Faith", and the sole authoritative interpreter of Bahá'u'lláh's writings.<ref>{{cite book |author=Bahá'u'lláh |authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh |origyear=1873-92 |year=1994 |title=Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877431744 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/TB/ |pages=pp.217}}</ref><ref name="balyuzi" />

`Abdu'l-Bahá had shared his father's long exile and imprisonment, which continued until `Abdu'l-Bahá'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 Bahá'í Faith.<ref name="eor" />

Bahá'u'lláh's ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' and ''The [[Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá]]'' are foundation documents of the Bahá'í administrative order. Bahá'u'lláh established the elected [[Universal House of Justice]], and `Abdu'l-Bahá established the appointed hereditary Guardianship and clarified the relationship between the two institutions.<ref name="balyuzi"/> In his Will, `Abdu'l-Bahá appointed his eldest grandson, [[Shoghi Effendi]], as the first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.<ref name="esslemont" />

Shoghi Effendi throughout his lifetime translated [[Bahá'í literature]]; developed global plans for the expansion of the Bahá'í community; developed the [[Bahá'í 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.<ref name="eor" /> He died in 1957 under conditions that didn't allow for a successor to be appointed.

At local, regional, and national levels, Bahá'ís elect members to nine-person [[Spiritual Assembly|Spiritual Assemblies]], which run the affairs of the religion.<ref name="britannica" /> There are also [[Institution of the Counsellors|appointed individuals]] working at various levels, including locally and internationally, which perform the function of propagating the teachings and protecting the community.<ref name="britannica" /> The latter do not serve as [[clergy]], which the Bahá'í Faith does not have.<ref name="britannica" />

[[Monasticism]] is forbidden, and Bahá'ís attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Performing useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship.<ref name="britannica" /> Bahá'u'lláh prohibited a [[Mendicancy|mendicant]] and [[Asceticism|ascetic]] lifestyle, encouraging Bahá'ís to "Be anxiously concerned" with the needs of society.<ref>{{cite book |author= Bahá'u'lláh |authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh |year=1991 |title=Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877430640 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/PB/pb-61.html#gr1 |pages=pp. 122}}</ref> The importance of self-exertion and service to humanity in one's spiritual life is emphasised further in Bahá'u'lláh'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.<ref name="britannica" />

[[Image:Bhai-gardens--9.jpg|thumb|Bahá'í gardens in [[Haifa, Israel]].]]

Bahá'u'lláh wrote of the need for [[world government]] in this age of humanity's collective life. Because of this emphasis many Bahá'ís have chosen to support efforts of improving [[international relations]] through organizations such as the [[League of Nations]] and the [[United Nations]]. The [[Bahá'í International Community]] is an agency under the direction of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, and has consultative status with the following organizations:<ref name="bic">{{cite web | title = History of Active Cooperation with the United Nations| author = Bahá'í International Community | publisher = bahai.org | url = http://statements.bahai.org/about.cfm | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2006-06-15}}</ref>*[[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC)*[[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF)*[[World Health Organization]] (WHO)*[[UNIFEM|United Nations Development Fund for Women]] (UNIFEM)*[[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP)

The Bahá'í 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, Chile|Santiago]], and [[Vienna]].<ref name="bic" /> 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 Bahá'í Faith has also undertaken joint development programs with various other United Nations agencies. In the 2000 [[Millennium Development Goals|Millennium Forum]] of the United Nations a Bahá'í was invited as the only non-governmental speaker during the summit.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bahá'í World News Service | publisher =Bahá'í International Community | title= Bahá'í United Nations Representative Addresses World Leaders at the Millennium Summit|url =http://www.bahai.org/article-1-1-0-3.html | date=2000-09-08 | accessdate = 2006-06-01}}</ref> See [http://www.bahai.org/article-1-6-0-6.html this article] for further information on the relationship between the Bahá'í International Community and the United Nations.

In 1939 [[Shoghi Effendi]] launched a seven year plan, followed by another in 1946.<ref>{{cite book | title=Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi | chapter = The Life of Shoghi Effendi | first = Helen | last = Danesh | coauthors = Danesh, John; Danesh, Amelia | = location = Oxford | publisher = George Ronald | year = 1991 | id = ISBN 0853983364|editor = M. Bergsmo (Ed.)}}</ref> In 1953 he launched the [[Ten Year Crusade|Ten Year World Crusade]], with extremely ambitious goals for the expansion of Bahá'í communities and institutions, the translation of [[Bahá'í literature]] into several new languages, and the sending of [[Pioneering (Bahá'í)|Bahá'í pioneers]] into previously unreached nations.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Journal of Bahá'í Studies | title= Baha'i History in the Formative Age | first = Graham | last= Hassal | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | year = 1996 | pages=pp.1-21}}</ref> 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 Bahá'í community.<ref>{{cite journal |title= The Baha'i Faith 1957-1988: A Survey of Contemporary Developments | first = Moojan | last = Momen | coauthors = Smith, Peter | year = 1989 | url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=momen_smith_developments_1957-1988.html |volume = 19 | journal = Religion | pages=pp. 63-91}}</ref>

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 [[Spiritual Assembly|Regional Councils]] and strengthening the various "training institutes".<ref name="uhj_letter_2003">{{cite web | author = Universal House of Justice | title = [[17 January]] [[2003]] letter | date=2003-01-17 | accessdate = 2006-06-15 | publisher= bahai-library.org|url = http://bahai-library.com/published.uhj/jan17.html}}</ref> The recently completed five-year plan (2001-2006) focused on developing institutions and creating the means to "sustain large-scale expansion and consolidation" (Rid&#803;ván Riḍván 158). Since 2001, the Bahá'ís around the world have been specifically encouraged to focus on children's classes, devotional gatherings, and a systematic study of the religion, known as [[Bahá'í study circle|study circles]].<ref name="uhj_letter_2003" /> A new focus was added in December 2005 with the addition of "[http://www.ruhiresources.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Junior%20Youth&category=Main junior youth]" classes to the core activities, focusing on education for those between 11 and 14.<ref name="second_five">{{cite book | title = Five Year Plan 2006-2011 | author = Universal House Of Justice | publisher = Palabra Publications | year = 2006 | location = West Palm Beach, Florida}}</ref>

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

The most popular study program is the [[Ruhi Institute]], a study course originally designed for use in [[Colombia]], but which has received wide use. The first book studies three themes: the [[Bahá'í literature|Bahá'í writings]], [[prayer]], and [[Afterlife|life and death]]. Subsequent themes include the education of children, the lives of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, service, and others.

The laws of the Bahá'í Faith primarily come from the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', written by Bahá'u'lláh. The following are a few examples of basic laws and religious observances,

*Bahá'ís over the age of 15 recite an [[Obligatory Bahá'í Prayers|obligatory prayer]] each day. There are three such prayers among which one can be chosen each day.

*Adult Bahá'ís in good health observe a [[Nineteen Day Fast|nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast]] each year from [[March 2]] through [[March 20]].*Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.*Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus [[homosexuality|homosexual]] acts are not permitted. See [[Homosexuality and Bahá'í Faith]].*[[Gambling]] is strictly forbidden.

[[Image:Bahai how frankfurt.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bahá'í House of Worship, Langenhain, [[Germany]]]]Most Bahá'í meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Bahá'í centers, or rented facilities. Worldwide, there are currently seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship, basically one per continent, with an eighth under construction in Chile.<ref>{{cite web | author=adherents.com | publisher=adherents.com | title=Baha'i Houses of Worship | url= http://www.adherents.com/largecom/bahai_HoW.html | date = 2001-05 | accessdate = 2006-06-14}}</ref> Bahá'í writings refer to an institution called a "Ma<u>sh</u>riqu'l-A<u>dh</u>kár" (Dawning-place of the Mention of God), which is to form the center of a complex of institutions including a hospital, university, and so on.<ref name="esslemont" /> Only the first ever Ma<u>sh</u>riqu'l-A<u>dh</u>kár in [[Ashgabat|`Ishqábád, Turkmenistan]], was built to such a degree.

Bahá'í [[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 the rearing of children.<ref name="marriage_pamphlet">{{cite web | author = Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Warwick | title= Baha'i Marriage | date = 2003-10-12 | url = http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~vickers/warwick_bookshop/pages/marriage.html | accessdate = 2006-06-14|publisher = Bahá'ís of Warwick}}</ref> The Bahá'í 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 [[society|human society]]. Bahá'u'lláh highly praised marriage, declaring it an eternal command of God, also discouraging divorce, and requiring [[chastity]] outside of marriage; Bahá'u'lláh taught that a husband and wife should strive to improve the spiritual life of each other.<ref name="marriage_pamphlet" />

Bahá'ís 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."<ref>{{cite book | publisher = Bahá’í Publishing Trust |location= Willmette, IL| title=Bahá'í marriage and family life: selections from the writings of the Bahá'í Faith |date =1997 |id = ISBN 0877432589 | url=http://studycircle.angeltowns.com/marriage.htm}}</ref> Although parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals decide to marry, they must receive the consent of all living parents, even if one partner is not a Bahá'í.<ref name="esslemont" /> [[Interracial marriage]] is highly praised in the [[Bahá'í teachings]]. The Bahá'í marriage ceremony is simple; the only compulsory part of the wedding is the reading of the wedding vows prescribed by [[Bahá'u'lláh]] which both the groom and the bride read, in the presence of two witnesses.<ref name="esslemont" /> The vows are:

[[Image:Bahaistar.jpg|thumb|200px|A stylized nine pointed star, with the calligraphy of the [[Bahá'í symbols#The Greatest Name|Greatest Name]] in the centre.]]

The Bahá'í calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. The year consists of 19 months of 19 days, with four or five [[Ayyám-i-Há|intercalary days]], to make a full solar year.<ref name="eor" /> The Bahá'í New Year corresponds to the traditional Persian New Year, called [[Bahá'í Naw-Rúz|Naw Rúz]], and occurs on the vernal equinox, [[March 21]], at the end of the month of fasting. Bahá'í communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a [[Nineteen Day Feast|Feast]] for worship, consultation and socializing.<ref name="britannica" />

Each of the 19 months is given a name which is an attribute of God; some examples include Bahá’ (Splendour), ‘Ilm (Knowledge), and Jamál (Beauty).<ref name="esslemont" /> The Bahá'í 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 Istiqlál (Independence), Kamál (Perfection) and ‘Idál (Justice). Bahá'ís observe 11 [[Bahá'í calendar|Holy Days]] throughout the year, with work suspended on 9 of these. These days commemorate important anniversaries in the history of the religion.

Bahá'ís continue to be persecuted in Islamic countries, especially [[Iran]], where over 200 believers were executed between 1978 and 1998.<ref name="fdih1">{{cite web | date = 2003-08-01 | title = Discrimination against religious minorities in Iran | author = International Federation for Human Rights | publisher = fdih.org | accessdate = 2006-10-20|url = http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf}}</ref> On [[December 16]], [[2006]], the Supreme Administrative Council of [[Egypt]] ruled the government may not recognize the Bahá'í Faith in official identification numbers.<ref name="eipr2">{{cite web | title = Government Must Find Solution for Baha'i Egyptians | date = 2006-12-16 | accessdate = 2006-12-16 | author = Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights | publisher = eipr.org | url = http://www.eipr.org/en/press/06/1612.htm}}</ref> Consequently, Egyptian Bahá'ís are 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 cannot be employed, educated, treated in hospitals or vote, among other things.<ref name="eipr2" /> The Egyptian Initiative for Private Rights stated that the press release issued by the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court did not respond to any of the evidence or arguments presented by the EIPR in the case, and that the release only discussed the tenets and beliefs of the Bahá'í Faith, which should have not have affected the court's decision.<ref name="eipr2" />

Since the [[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]] of 1979, Iranian Bahá'ís 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 [[Bahá'í study circle|study circles]].<ref name="fdih1" /> Bahá'í cemeteries have been desecrated and property seized and occasionally demolished, including the House of Mírzá Buzurg, Bahá'u'lláh's father.<ref name="affolter" /> The House of the Báb in [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] has been destroyed twice, and is one of three sites to which Bahá'ís perform [[Bahá'í pilgrimage|pilgrimage]].<ref name="affolter" /><ref>{{cite web | author = Netherlands Institute of Human Rights | publisher = Netherlands Institute of Human Rights |title = Iran, Islamic Republic of | date =2006-03-08 | accessdate = 2006-05-31 | url = http://sim.law.uu.nl/SIM/CaseLaw/uncom.nsf/0/e7b8824bdd987268c1256fa8004a8753?OpenDocument}}

Even more recently the situation of Bahá'ís has worsened; the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] revealed an October 2005 confidential letter from Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Iran to identify Bahá'ís and to monitor their activities<ref name="unhchr">{{cite web | author = Asma Jahangir | publisher = United Nations |title = Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief concerned about treatment of followers of Bahá'í Faith in Iran | date =2006-03-20 | accessdate = 2006-06-01 | url = http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/5E72D6B7B624AABBC125713700572D09?opendocument}}

</ref> and in November 2005 the state-run and influential [[Kayhan]]<ref>{{cite web | author= Michael Rubin | title = Iran Means What It Says | publisher = Middle East Forum | accessdate = 2006-06-01 | date = 2006-01-25|url =http://www.meforum.org/article/892}}</ref> newspaper, whose managing editor is appointed by Iran's supreme leader, [[Ali Khamenei|Ayatollah Khamenei]],<ref> {{cite web | title=The press in Iran | author = BBC News | publisher = BBC News | date = 2005-08-16 | accessdate = 2006-06-01 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4308203.stm}}</ref> ran nearly three dozen articles defaming the Bahá'í Faith.<ref>{{cite web | author= Bahá'í International Community | publisher = Bahá'í International Community | title= Summary and Analysis of Recent Media Attacks| date= 2006 | accessdate = 2006-06-01|url=http://www.bahai.org/iranthreat/mediaattacks}}</ref>

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 Bahá'í 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."<ref name="unhchr" />

[[Bernard Lewis]] states that the Muslim laity and Islamic authorities have always had great difficulty in accommodating post-Islamic monotheistic religions such as the Bahá'í Faith, since on one hand 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.<ref> Lewis (1984) p.21 </ref>

*[[Bahá'í apologetics]] - for critical viewpoints.*[[Bahá'í individuals]]*[[Bahá'í orthography]]*[[Bahá'í Faith in fiction]]

|title=[[The Jews of Islam]]