n.
Religion founded in Iran in the mid-19th century by Bah 0101; Ull 0101; h .
It emerged from B 0101; bism when in 1863 Bah 0101; 02BE; Ull 0101; h asserted that he was the messenger of God predicted by the B 0101; b. Before his death in 1892, he appointed his son 02BD; Abd ol-Bah 0101; to lead the community. The writings of the B 0101; b, Bah 0101; 02BE; Ull 0101; h, and 02BD; Abd ol-Bah 0101; form the sacred literature. Worship consists of readings from scriptures of all religions. Bah 0101; ' 012B; faith proclaims the essential unity of all religions and the unity of humanity. It is concerned with social ethics and has no priesthood or sacraments. Because of its 19 initial disciples, it considers the number 19 sacred, and the calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days (with four additional days). Adherents are expected to pray daily, fast 19 days a year, and keep to a strict ethical code. Bah 0101; ' 012B; has experienced major growth since the 1960s but has been persecuted in Iran since the fundamentalist revolution of 1979.