Your Baha’i Family
Local, Regional, National,
and Worldwide
The Baha’is in your area are part of a global spiritual family. Baha’is come from virtually every nation, ethnic group, race, and educational background and share a common vision of humanity’s bright future.
There is no clergy in the Baha’i Faith. Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual development through worship, study, and service activities. Baha’u’llah established a new Administrative Order— composed of elected and appointed bodies at local, regional, national, and international levels— that is the framework and structure designed to be a channel for the flow of the spirit of the Cause and for the application of its Teachings.
A Baha’i Way of Life
To be a Baha’i means to dedicate oneself to a path of personal transformation and service and to take an active role in building a new world of justice, peace, and unity for all.
Personal Practices
- Recite an obligatory prayer daily.
- Read and reflect on the Bahá’í Writings morning and evening.
- Share the unifying message of Baha’u’llah with others.
- Strive for unity.
- Avoid backbiting and conflict.
- Participate in Baha’i elections.
- Contribute to the Baha’i Fund.
- Observe the annual 19-day Fast that falls during the month of March.
Community Life
The Faith’s community-building activities and practices provide opportunities for everyone to contribute to this lofty Cause.
- Create a more spiritual atmosphere in your neighborhood by hosting devotional gatherings for prayer and meditation in your home.
- Influence the next generation by serving as a teacher in a class for the spiritual education of children.
- Support adolescents as an “animator” in the junior youth spiritual empowerment program for young people ages 12 to 15.
- Connect more deeply with the sacred writings and put the Faith’s Teachings into practice in your own life and in your community by joining or hosting a study circle.
- Invite like-minded friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to join these activities in an effort to strengthen community.
- Contribute to a thriving Baha’i culture by hosting or attending Feasts and Baha’i Holy Days observances.
Your US Baha’i Membership Card
Your membership card displays your Baha’i ID number, which identifies you as a registered Baha’i in this country. You are encouraged to create a Baha’i Online Services Account (BOSA). You can then use your login to access the site’s wide range of guidance, information, and services.
- Connect with your local Baha’i community.
- Contribute to Baha’i Funds online through the Online Contribution System (OCS).
- Search the guidance library, which includes messages from the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly.
- Keep your personal contact information current.
- Participate in Baha’i elections online through the Online Balloting System (OBS).
- Register your children.
- Access other resources for members.
Additional resources
Upon enrollment, adults receive a complimentary subscription to The American Bahá’í magazine, which publishes guidance, news, and stories six times a year. Households with registered children between the ages of 7 and 12 will receive a complimentary subscription to Brilliant Star magazine.
- bahai.org: website of the worldwide Bahá’í community
- bahai.org/library: searchable authoritative source of Bahá’í Writings
- bahaibookstore.com: (US Bahá’í Publishing Trust): books, music, and DVDs for purchase, as well as some free downloads
- brilliantstarmagazine.org: Brilliant Star Online offers a wealth of resources for families, parents, and teachers to use at home or in the classroom
