The Baha'i Faith is one of the newer of the world religions. It was founded in Persia (presently Iran) by Mirza Husayn Ali (1817-1892), known as Baha'u'llah, which means
"Glory of God." The Baha'i faith is linked with the Babi Faith which was founded in 1844 by Mirza Ali Muhammad (1819-1850). He is 
known as the Bab, which means "Gate".
He was executed by Persian authorities in 1850 in an attempt to crush His religion. In 1863 Baha'u'llah declared that He was the one prophesied by the Bab. Baha'u'llah was exiled from Iran to locations within the Ottoman Empire and in 1868 was sent to the fortress city of Akka in Palestine as a prisoner.
He passed away in 1892. In His will, He appointed His eldest son, Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), to lead the Baha'i community and to interpret the Baha'i writings. Abdu'l-Baha, in turn, appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi (1896-1957), as His successor. He is known as the Guardian of the Cause and the authorized interpreter of the Baha'i teachings. Today, the affairs of the worldwide Baha'i community are administered by the Universal House of Justice.
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