The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook Columbia Gazetteer American Heritage Coll. It is a doctrinal outgrowth of Babism , with Baha Allah as the Promised One of the earlier religion. Baha'ists believe in the unity of all religions, in universal education, in world peace, and in the equality of men and women. An international language and an international government are advocated.
Emphasis is laid upon simplicity of living and upon service to the suffering.
The teachings spread in the 20th cent., particularly in Africa. Ill. The administrative center of the world faith is in Haifa, Israel, the site of Baha Allah's tomb. There are some 5 million Baha'is in the world, with the largest communities in India and Iran. Under the Iranian Islamic republic, which regards the religion as an Islamic heresy, Baha'i religious institutions were closed and property confiscated. Baha'is were removed from government posts, thousands were imprisoned, and several hundred were executed.