Baha'i in Bangladesh

People Name:	Baha'i
Country:	Bangladesh
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	11,000
World Population:	27,400
Primary Language:	Bengali
Primary Religion:	Other / Small
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The first Baha’i people to live in what is now Bangladesh came in 1844. They were fleeing persecution in Persia, now called Iran. There are few if any Baha’i in Iran today; most now live in South Asian countries.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Baha’i people are often wealthy businessmen in South Asian countries like Bangladesh and India. They believe that men and women are equal, and they oppose all forms of ethnic prejudice. Perhaps for this reason, Bahais are known for their efforts to make educational opportunities available to all, even the very poor.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Three principles are said to form basic Baha'i doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have been created equal. People are to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer, reflection and being of service to humanity.
Originally it was a reform movement within Shia Islam. Their founder, Bahallujah, ran into trouble with Persia's Muslim rulers because he placed many other great religious leaders, whom he called ascended masters, on the same level as Mohammed. Bahallujah taught that the ascended masters include Moses, Buddha and Jesus, because all of them had risen from the dead. Such beliefs got him executed as a heretic.

What Are Their Needs?

Muslims generally regard followers of Baha'i as deserters of Islam, apostates. For that reason, they face persecution from Muslims in South Asia. These peaceful people need friends, especially in countries where they are being persecuted. Christ followers can embrace them and regularly pray for their spiritual and physical needs.

Prayer Points

Pray that the spiritual veil is lifted from the eyes of these kind, gracious people.
Pray that they will see that their actions, however good, are not enough to reach God.
Pray that thousands of Bahai find eternal life through Christ.