The human race is one family - and that's official.

There is now scientific proof to back up one of the central spiritual teachings of the Bahá'í Faith - the unity of humanity.

Scientists are convinced that racial differences are not reflected on the genetic level.

While it's easy to tell at a glance the colour of someone's skin, scientists have found that all this dissolves when you probe beneath the surface.

DNA studies show that people all over the world are more alike than they may seem, as 99.9 per cent of the human genes are the same in everyone.

Isn't it wonderful to see science and religion agreeing on this important spiritual truth - that regardless of race or creed, we really are all kin beneath the skin.

Bahá'u'lláh, Founder of the Bahá'í Faith in the mid-19th century wrote:

"Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order, and the inhabitants of one City.

"Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love."

"O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock. Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household …

Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home."