Bahai Faith
The Baháʼí Faith was established by the prophet Baháʼu’lláh in Baghdad in the 19th century. The governing institution of the worldwide Baháʼí community is now located in Haifa, Israel. Central to the Baháʼí Faith is belief in a single God and the unity of all people. Baháʼís have been subject to persecution in Iran, Egypt and elsewhere due to teachings inconsistent with traditional Islamic beliefs, leading to a view that they are apostates from Islam. Vegetarianism is recommended but Baháʼí teachings contain no dietary restrictions except the prohibition of alcohol or other mind-altering drugs, which are forbidden except for medicinal purposes. The Baháʼí Faith has 11 holy days, on 9 of which work is suspended. Naw-Rúz, the Baháʼí New Year, falls on the northern hemisphere’s spring equinox. It marks the end of an annual 19-day fast. The First Day of Ridván is the most important Bahá’í holy day. It begins at sunset one month after the equinox and marks a 12-day festival and celebrates Baháʼu’lláh’s 1863 proclamation of his mission.