Baha’i
Bahá’ís are the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, Who they believe is the Promised One of all Ages and through Whose revelation the long awaited prosperity and unity of all the peoples of the world will be realised. The basic core of the Baha’i faith is belief in oneness of God, oneness of religion and oneness of mankind, but many messengers, communities and names. It celebrates the ideals of equality, the fulfilment of individual potential, and of a single emerging world order which will be based on unity in diversity. Baha’i scriptures consist of the writings of Baha’u’llah himself, His forerunner, The Bab and His successor Abdu’l-Baha .
The Baha’i Faith began in mid-19th century in Persia and in spite of severe persecutions, which still continues, it has become universally recognised as an independent second widespread religion throughout the world (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The majority of 6,000 multicultural Baha’is living in the UK comprise indigenous converts, Europeans and their descendants. There are minority representations from almost all national and cultural diversities of which the Iranians are the largest. Members are affiliated to a National Spiritual Assembly by way of Local Spiritual Assemblies (there are eight in Yorkshire and the Humber) or smaller local groups (nine in the region).
Baha’is have adopted a deliberate policy of urban dispersal, and can be found in most towns and cities. With no priesthood their focus is on personal and collective prayers and meditation as well as community gathering in every Baha’i month (19 in a year). They undertake a period of fasting in the month of ‘Al’a, (2 – 20 March) and celebrate the feasts of Naw-Ruz (New Year 21st March), Ridvan, and the anniversaries of key figures of the faith.
More information on Baha'i from the BBC website