Heidi Alexander: “I am very pleased to draw attention today to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the…”

“I am very pleased to draw attention today to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i Faith has over 5 million followers around the world, including over 2,000 in Tennessee. Baha'is come from virtually every racial, ethnic, national, tribal, and linguistic background on the planet. On October 22, 2017, Baha'i communities across the United States and around the world will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah--the founder of the Baha'i Faith--and celebrate his life and his teachings. Baha'u'llah was born to a noble family in 1817 in Persia, modern-day Iran. As a young man, he was known for his charity and service to others and was called the father of the poor. In 1844, he founded the Baha'i Faith, a new and independent religion with its own scriptures, laws, teachings, and practices. Baha'u'llah proclaimed a message of justice, unity, and peace. This message called for, among other things, the equality of women and men, an end to racial prejudice, universal education, interfaith harmony, and international cooperation. As a result of his teachings, Baha'u'llah was imprisoned and exiled for over 40 years by the Persian and Ottoman empires. Despite the injustice and oppression he faced throughout his life, Baha'u'llah continued to promote a message of peace and unity based upon harmony within the human race.…”