INTRODUCTION
The Baha'i Faith is a worldwide religion based on the teachings of Baha'u'llah (1817- 1892). Baha'is view religion as a progressive, evolutionary process that needs to be updated as humanity evolves mentally, socially, and spiritually. Baha'is believe that
Baha'u'llah has brought an updated message for humanity today.

In the course of its 160-year history, the Baha'i Faith has transformed itself into a fast-growing religion. At present, there are around 6 million Baha'is worldwide, resident in over 233 countries and dependent territories.

The following are the salient principles of the Baha'i Faith:

The Oneness of Humankind
"It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind it's citizens."

The Oneness of Religion
"All these divisions we see on all sides, all these disputes and opposition, are caused because men cling to ritual and outward observances, and forget the simple, underlying truth. The Reality is the Truth, and Truth has no division. Truth is God's guidance, it is the light of the world, it is love, it is mercy. "

Independent Investigation of Truth
"Know ye that God has created in man the power of reason, whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind, or the faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and discover the truth, and that which he finds real and true he must accept"

Religion as a Source of Unity
"Religion must be the cause of unity, harmony and agreement among mankind. If it be the cause of discord and hostility, if it leads to separation and creates conflict, the absence of religion would be preferable in the world."

Harmony between Religion and Science
"Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism."

An International Auxiliary Language
"It behoveth the sovereigns of the world or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country."

Universal Education
"Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet."

The Elimination of all Forms of Prejudice
"As to religious, racial, national and political bias: all these prejudices strike at the very root of human life; one and all they beget bloodshed, and the ruination of the world. So long as these prejudices survive, there will be continuous and fearsome wars."

Equality of Men and Women
"Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible."

Universal Peace
"The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must, needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men."