The Bahá'í Faith dates from 1844. In Baghdad, in 1863 its Founder Bahá'u'lláh (Arabic, meaning "The Glory of God"), publicly declared Himself to be the bearer of a New Message from God. "The Day of the One Shepherd and One Fold" was imminent.

Bahá'u'lláh's exile from His native Írán-induced by the fears of both the Religious and State Powers-was to last almost 40 years, from 1852 to His passing in 1892. He was banished to 3 different parts of the Ottoman Empire:

Íráq, from 1852-1863;

Turkey, from 1863-1867, a stay that included Edirné (then called 'Adrianople'), on the mainland of Europe, and finally to

Palestine from 1867-1892.

In its 159 years existence, the Bahá'í Faith has grown numerically to over 6 million souls, embracing every part of the diverse human family. It is the second-most-widespread organised religious belief.