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The Bahà'i Faith is the youngest and the second most widespread of the world's independent religions, established in 235 countries and territories throughout the world. Embracing individuals from over 2,100 ethnic, racial and tribal groups, and numbering over 6 million worldwide.
For more than a century, Bahà'i communities around the globe have been working to break down barriers of prejudice between peoples and have collaborated with other like-minded groups to promote the model of a global society. Bahà'is are taught that religion should result in not just words but also deeds and so actively set about transforming the society in which they live.
Bahà'is believe that Bahà'u'llàh (1817-1892), the founder of the Bahà'i Faith, was the latest in the line of Messengers of God that includes Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
The main theme of Bahà'u'llàh's message is unity. He taught that there is only one God; that all the world's religions represent one changeless and eternal Faith of God; and that all humanity is one race, destined to live in peace and harmony.
Bahà'is have striven to create communities based on the principles of unity and diversity and mutual co-operation using the consultative principles outlined in the writings of Bahà'u'llàh and stressing the need for development of both the spiritual and physical elements of life.