Baha'i
An adherent of a religious movement originating in Iran in the 19th century and emphasizing the spiritual unity of humankind.
Distinctions
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Summary
Baha'is follow the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who lived in Iran in the nineteenth centruy. He taught his followers that God has provided successive revelations to mankind through a series of Divine Messengers to bring humankind to spiritual maturity. Each of these messengers has been the found of one of the world's greatest religions, and Baha'u'llah taught that he was the last of these. The central message of his teachings was the unity of all people. The Baha'i faith is summed up in the words of Baha'u'llah, "The Earth is but one country and mankind it's citizens."
The Baha'i teachings are based on the principles of economic justice, equal rights for women and men, education for all people, and the breaking down of traditional barriers of race, class and creed.
Symbol
The interlocking triangles represent the interdependence of all people in oone essential unity.
Worldwide Numbers
There are 5 million Baha'is worldwide in more than 200 countries, with the largest concentrations in Africa (about 1 million) and the United States (about 300,000).
Holy Places
Baha'is meet in local assemblies but their administrative and spiritual center is in Haifa, Israel. The two most holy places are the tomb of Baha'u'llah and the shrine of the Bab, both in Israel.
Holy Writings
All the writings of Baha'u'llah are revered and studied, especially the Kitab-i-Aqdas - "The Most Holy Book." He wrote in both Arabic and Persian, and his works have been translated into many languages.
Key Links
Additional in-depth information here on Wikipedia.