Baha’i Faith

The Baha’i Faith is a global religion that has been prevalent for decades. It emerged publicly in Baghdad in 1863 through the teachings of the young Mirza Husayn, known as “Baha’u’llah,” who is considered the prophet of the Baha’is according to their beliefs. The Baha’i Faith emphasizes the unity of humanity, believing in the oneness of God and the divine manifestation of messengers in various epochs. Baha’is advocate for the necessity of human collaboration, reject violence, extremism, exclusion, and all forms of prejudice.

Baha’u’llah actively propagated the new religion despite facing persecutions. Exiled multiple times in the late 19th century until his death in 1892, Baha’u’llah’s son, Abdul-Baha, succeeded him until his passing in 1921. His grandson, Abbas Effendi, continued the mission, spreading the teachings of the religion, particularly in the Arab world. The Baha’i message fundamentally declares that humanity is one family and asserts that the time has come for peoples and nations to unite.

Baha’is in Tunisia

The entry of the Baha’i Faith into Tunisia dates back to 1921, approximately a century ago, when Mr. Muhyi al-Din al-Kurdi, an Egyptian Baha’i and a sheikh of Al-Azhar, visited Tunisia on behalf of Abdul-Baha (1844-1921), the son of Baha’u’llah, to deliver the message of Baha’u’llah. Following the arrival of Sheikh al-Kurdi, some Tunisians embraced the Baha’i Faith and actively engaged in sharing it with their friends and acquaintances. Since then, Tunisian Baha’is have worked to apply the teachings of their religion through active participation in building spiritual and ethical values that contribute to the creation of a new global civilization characterized by harmony between spiritual and material development. They consider themselves an integral part of their society, committed to serving it with devotion.

The Baha’i Spiritual Assembly in Tunisia resumed activities after self-elections in 1972, albeit without official legal recognition. Despite the lack of formal recognition, the authorities did not suppress or prohibit their activities. The Baha’is in Tunisia continue their work, organizing their activities annually through the Central Spiritual Assembly or elections that choose members responsible for the center. In 1984, however, the authorities closed the Baha’i World Center, preceded by a Tunisian media campaign describing the Baha’i Faith as “destructive” and linked to “Zionism.” This campaign took place within the political context led by then-Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Mzali.

Baha’is believe that the full development of society is closely linked to the progress of women. A society characterized by gender equality serves the interests of both men and women, enabling them to evolve in a more balanced and diversified manner. Rejecting rigid stereotypical roles, they advocate for genuine partnerships between genders characterized by cooperation, resource-sharing, and decision-making. Such partnerships, they argue, are vital to changing the driving force of the family, granting women full rights to enter the workforce and addressing issues related to women’s health. This approach fosters equal and collaborative relationships, replacing unequal and domineering tendencies.