{"product_id":"9781560851691","title":"Baha'i","description":"\u003cp\u003e There are 100,000 Baha’is in the United States, about five million worldwide including a significant population in Iran, their country of origin. They are also the most persecuted minority in Iran, where they are accused of being heretics by the Shi’i establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn fact, Baha’i draws on a diverse heritage that encompasses both East and West. Reflecting their Islamic roots, they observe daily prayers and the reading of sacred texts; a month of fast; pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, where the religion’s relics are preserved; and abstinence from alcohol. They face toward their prophet Baha’u'llah’s resting place when praying, which is reminiscent of Muslims facing Mecca to pray.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn other ways, the Baha’i religion has dissociated itself from orthodox Shi’ism. Adherents avoid communal prayer, reject the idea of a professional clergy, promote gender equality, and devote a great deal of attention to education, health care, and environmental issues. They work actively through the United Nations system to promote their view of a new world order of peace and harmony that they feel will one day unify humankind across all nations, races, and religions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Books, Incorporated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47064901615856,"sku":"9781560851691","price":12.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781560851691_p0.jpg?v=1763767334","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781560851691","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}