________________
Essence of World Religions
a physician.
The eradication of prejudice of race, creed, class, nationality, and sex is the primary motto of the faith.
Baha'is observe a fast between sunrise and sundown during the last month of their calendar (March 2 - - 20).
Synopsis
The Baha'i Faith is an independent world religion with adherents in virtually every country.
The Prophet Bahäullah taught that divine Revelation is a Continuous and Progressive process and that the mission of the Messengers of God represent successive stages in the spiritual evolution of human society.
Bahäulläh's eldest son, Abbäs Effendi (1844-1921) known as Abdul Bahä (Servant of Bahä), led the community as the perfect exemplar and infallible interpreter of his teachings.
Abdul Bahä's grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbäni (1896-1957), was appointed to be the Guardian of the Bahä Faith. He established the Baha'i administrative order and supervised the spread of the Faith to all parts of the globe.
The international governing body is called the Universal House of Justice which is the supreme administrative body of the Baha'i Faith following the death of Shoghi Effendi. Its members are elected once every five years in Haifa, Israel at an international convention. All Baha'i elections are by secret ballot, with no nominations or electioneering.
The Baha'i Administrative Order is free from any form of ecclesiasticism, having neither priesthood nor man-made rituals, and forbids asceticism, monasticism, and mendicancy. The clearly defined administration has protected the unity of the Bahä Faith from schism.
There are currently over 25,000 local assemblies and over 145 National Assemblies throughout the world.
The affairs of the local Baha'i community are administered by a Spiritual Assembly consisting of nine-members elected annually. Nationally, a nine-member body is elected each year by the delegates of local assemblies.
Baha'i meetings include devotional services, readings from Baha'i
79
