The Bahai faith is a relatively new one. It was founded 200 years ago by a Persian of the name Siyyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi. He revealed himself as the prophet Bab (meaning “gate” in Arabic) who sought out to spread his beliefs. Bab was shunned by the Shia clergy despite the fact that he gained tens of thousands of followers. He was eventually executed, only six years after he began his movement. His efforts were continued by Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri who chose the name Baha’u’llah. Also hounded by the clergy and was expelled to the Ottoman Empire.
