The essential message of the Bahá'í Faith is unity -- a unity based on the understanding that there is one God, one human race, and that all the world's religions have been revealed successively in accordance with the needs of humanity at each stage of its development.

The crucial need today is to find a unifying vision of the nature of man and society that will enable every human being to participate in the creation of a just, peaceful and ever-advancing global civilization.

Founded 177 years ago, the Bahá'í Faith is an independent world religion with over five million followers in more than 200 countries and territories.. The global scope of the Faith is mirrored in the composition of its membership, representing a cross-section of humanity from virtually every national, ethnic, social and religious background.

The Faith's Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, was a Persian nobleman who Bahá'ís believe is the latest of God's Messengers to humanity. He announced that the age of global peace promised in all of the world's religions must be based on a number of fundamental principles. These include the full equality between women and men; the elimination of all forms of racism and prejudice; the unfettered pursuit of knowledge; elimination of the extremes of poverty and of wealth; universal education; harmony between the spiritual and material dimensions of civilization; a commitment of serving the wider community; and the establishment of a world commonwealth, bound by the principle of collective security.

Around the world today, Bahá'ís are working alongside like-minded people, dedicating themselves to learning how to apply these spiritual and social teachings for the betterment of the world.