What is the Baha'i Faith?

The Baha'i Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its six million members represent 189 independent countries and forty-six territories from all around the world. The Baha'i Faiths' rich diversity embraces people from most of the planet's races, creeds and cultures, including over 2,100 different ethnic groupings.

For more than a century, Baha'i communities around the globe have been working to break down barriers of prejudice between peoples and have collaborated with other like-minded groups to promote the model of a global society. At the heart of the belief is the conviction that humanity is a single people with a common destiny. In the words of Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), the Founder of our Faith, "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." The central theme of Baha'u'llah's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society.

Baha'u'llah taught that there is one God Who progressively reveals His will to humanity. Each of the great religions brought by the Messengers of God -- Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad, Zoroaster -- represents a successive stage in the spiritual development of civilization. Baha'u'llah, the most recent Messenger in this line, has brought teachings that address the moral and spiritual challenges of the modern world.

What was the Baha'i World Congress?

According to the World Congress Program Committee, the purpose of the World Congress was to "celebrate the Centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah and to proclaim its aims and unifying power."

The Second Baha'i World Congress from November 23^rd -26^th, 1992 took place in order to pay homage to the 100^th anniversary of the passing of the prophet founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah. 30,000 Baha'is from all corners of the globe gathered together in the Jacob Javits Center in New York City for four days of commemoration in the form of music, speeches, artistic performances and social gathering.

Following the guidance of the Universal House of Justice, a program was developed to take the Congress participants on a four day spiritual journey. The journey began with the recognition of Baha'u'llah as the Promise of all Ages. It then took the participants through an understanding of the significance of the Covenant and `Abdu'l-Baha as its Center, recalled the victories achieved by the worldwide Baha'i Community under the banner of the Covenant, and culminated with the challenges of the remaining years of this century set before them by the Universal House of Justice.

Who were the participants?

The Congress participants represented an extraordinary example of human diversity. The program appealed to Baha'is of varying cultural backgrounds, different levels of literacy and familiarity with the official languages of the Congress, and with different expectations and motivations. The World Congress Program captured the hearts of all participants, of whatever background, attending the Congress for whatever reason.

Who participated in the choir?

The music was an integral part of the program, carefully conceived to support and amplify the message and spirit of the Congress. Emphasis was placed on the vocal music comprised of soloists and a choir of about 1,000 voices, consisting of Baha'i volunteers from all over the world. A symphony orchestra occasionally accompanied the choir and soloists, and provided background music to certain audiovisual segments of the program. Appropriate musical styles and traditions from different parts of the world were employed, reflecting the diversity and worldwide character of the Faith. Much of the music was specifically written for the occasion, and a number of fine Baha'i composers as well as several distinguished non-Baha'i composers wrote pieces designed to meet the needs of specific segments of the program.

What was the program comprised of ?

The main sessions of the World Congress took place two hours each day at the Jacob Javits Center. The sessions represented a spiritual journey for each participant.

The journey began on Day One with the recognition of Baha'u'llah as the Promise of All Ages, and concluded with a tangible demonstration of "the Covenant as the pivotal center of unity for all mankind."

Day Two celebrated `Abdu'l-Baha as the Center of the Covenant. The program highlighted the world-embracing nature of the Covenant, New York as the City of the Covenant, and an intimate and personal appreciation of `Abdu'l-Baha.

The Third Day recounted the achievements of the Baha'i Community assembled beneath the banner of the Covenant.

Day Four explored humanity's encounter with Baha'u'llah as a prelude to the culmination of the Congress, a message from the Universal House of Justice.

What were the outcomes of the Congress?

The World Congress served as a dynamic source of motivation for Baha'is. It contributed to an enriching collective experience of Baha'is all around the world. Public awareness of the Faith was increased on a grand scale. The Congress was a training for Baha'is to work together at a new level of skill, energy and effectiveness, working at a task that requires sophisticated and complex administrative and interpersonal coordination. It was a catalyst by which resources were being brought together and developed with a spirit of devotion, and with encouraging implications for the work of the Baha'i Faith during the remaining years of this century.

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