Members of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Alaska, 2003 |
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As
is characteristic of the Bahá’í Faith throughout
the world, "Unity in Diversity" is noticeably exemplified
by the Bahá’í Community in Alaska. Working and growing
spiritually in unity, Bahá’ís of varying ethnic
backgrounds are bringing to fruition and reality the true concept
of the "Oneness of Mankind." This far spread Alaska
Bahá’í Community is especially favored and invigorated
by the spiritual astuteness, talents and leadership strengths
of the many Eskimo, Aleut and Indian followers of Bahá'u'lláh.
This growing "flower garden" of Alaskan Bahá’ís
has been steadfastly guided and nurtured through some 65 years
by many Bahá’í travel teachers and pioneers of the
Faith who journeyed great distances to promote the Bahá’í
Faith in Alaska; many of these teachers established permanent
homes (pioneers) in this vast and challenging new state.
The historical archives of the Faith record that the first Bahá’í
to reside in Alaska was Ms. Margaret Green who taught the Faith
in Juneau from 1915-1918 while supporting herself by work as a
public librarian. Although there had been several teaching trips
and some temporary residence in Alaska in the 1920's, it wasn't
until 1939 that the Bahá’í Faith was permanently
established in Alaska. By 1940 there were Bahá’ís
in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Over the years entire Bahá’í
families settled in Alaska; some acquired and developed large
homesteads such as the Huffman's and the Gregory's in the Anchorage
area.
In 1943, the first Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly
in Alaska was formed in Anchorage. In February of 1948, this Anchorage
Bahá’í Assembly was legally incorporated under Alaska
territorial statutes. By 1949, the Bahá’í marriage
service was recognized by the Attorney General for Alaska. The
establishment of the Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assemblies
of Fairbanks (1955), Tanana Valley (1956), Ketchikan (1956) and
Juneau (1957), was followed in 1957 by the formation and legal
incorporation of the "National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Alaska." This momentous event for
the Faith in Alaska provided for an organized administrative structure
to help guide the affairs, growth and outreach of the overall
Alaska Bahá'í Community. The National Spiritual
Assembly of Alaska, among other responsibilities, maintains liaison
and coordination with the Bahá’í World Centre in
Haifa, Israel as well as with other National Assemblies throughout
the world.
From 1960 on there has been accelerated growth of the Faith in
Alaska. Entering the 1980's, the Bahá’í Faith was
established in over 200 localities in Alaska with more than 60
Local Spiritual Assemblies, 26 of which were legally incorporated.
Though
greatly abbreviated, this summary of "The Bahá’í
Faith in Alaska" demonstrates, in part, some evidences
of the animating, universal Call of the Bahá’í
Faith. The vast wealth of Bahá’í history, teachings/principles
and ennobling Holy Scriptures are available for study and consideration
by anyone in Alaska--or elsewhere. Independent investigation
of the teachings and beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith
is most warmly encouraged. Further information can be obtained
through correspondence with the:
Bahá’í National Office
13501 Brayton Drive, Suite 9,
Anchorage, AK 99516-3478
Phone:(907)345-3740
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