Who we are
Bahá’ís are followers of the Bahá’í Faith, a world religion founded by Bahá’u’lláh in the 19th century in Persia. The Bahá’ís of Mississauga and the rest of Canada are part of a worldwide community that is striving to advance the spiritual, social, and material conditions of humanity. In our efforts to promote unity and contribute to the betterment of humankind, Bahá’ís work alongside fellow residents to promote community well-being.
The most important principle of divine philosophy is the oneness of the world of humanity, the unity of mankind, the bond conjoining East and West, the tie of love which blends human hearts.
– `Abdu’l‑Bahá
What we believe
The Bahá’í Faith, the world’s newest independent global belief system, teaches the oneness of God, the unity of humanity, and the essential harmony of religion.
World View
Today there are about 8 million Bahá’ís around the world, working to create peaceful, unified community life with the people around them. The ultimate purpose of the Bahá’í Faith is the unity of mankind – a future that will take hard work to achieve, but which is undoubtedly attainable.
The Bahá’í teachings promote the agreement of science and religion, gender equality, and the elimination of all prejudice and racism. Bahá’ís believe in each person’s capacity to find the truth for themselves, and there is no clergy.
One Human Family
Beyond all differences of race, culture, class or ethnicity, regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or temperaments, every individual is a member of one gloriously diverse human family. The unity of all people, regardless of race, religion or background, is not only necessary, it is inevitable. Bahá’ís believe that each unique individual has a role to play in carrying forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization. A great diversity of activities are being carried out by Bahá’ís and their friends around the world aimed at addressing local issues.
Progressive Revelation
Humanity’s spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the world’s religions – the Manifestations of God. Among Them are Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad and, most recently, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Each religion originates with God and is suited to the age and place in which it is revealed. In essence, the religion of God is one and is progressively unfolding.
One God
Called by different names throughout the ages, the eternal God, the one Creator of the universe. God is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-merciful. God is one. While the reality of God is beyond human understanding, we may find expressions of God’s attributes in every created thing. All the best human qualities are reflections of God’s divine attributes.