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Becoming a µþ²¹³óá'í

Membership of the µþ²¹³óá'í faith is open to all those who believe that µþ²¹³óá'³Ü'±ô±ôá³ó is the latest Manifestation of God and who accept the Covenant µþ²¹³óá'³Ü'±ô±ôá³ó made with his followers about his successor and interpreter, ´¡²ú»å³Ü'±ô-µþ²¹³óá, and the administrative institutions that govern the µþ²¹³óá'í community.

A convert is not required to renounce their previous faith, but merely to recognise that their previous faith was in need of regeneration. However they cannot actually remain a member of their previous faith.

A person becomes a µþ²¹³óá'í when they accept µþ²¹³óá'³Ü'±ô±ôá³ó. This is something between the person and God and is very much a matter of individual conscience.

An essential part of being a µþ²¹³óá'í is being part of the µþ²¹³óá'í community. A person who has, as µþ²¹³óá'ís say, declared his faith then indicates to the Local Spiritual Assembly - or the National Spiritual Assembly, if there's no Local Assembly - that he/she would like to be part of the µþ²¹³óá'í community.

The local Spiritual Assembly is the coordinating body for µþ²¹³óá'í in a particular area. It consists of 9 members of the community elected by community members to hold office for a year.

Detailed procedures differ from country to country - it is left up to National Assemblies to determine how to process these requests.

In the UK, a person can indicate verbally to a µþ²¹³óá'í friend or in writing or by email that they consider themselves a µþ²¹³óá'í and wish to be part of the community. Unless there is some very good reason for not doing so, their enrolment in the community is accepted without question.

Enrolled µþ²¹³óá'ís can serve on the Local Assembly, if elected, or in other µþ²¹³óá'í administrative roles; they can also attend the Nineteen Day Feast. Almost every other µþ²¹³óá'í meeting is open to anyone.

Find out more

• µþ²¹³óá'í beliefs