{
  "id": 18883484,
  "title": "Small Hindu communities, big Deepavali spirit in Sabah and Sarawak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/small-hindu-communities-big-deepavali-spirit-in-sabah-and-sarawak",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T07:17:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/08/small-hindu-communities-big-deepavali-spirit-in-sabah-and-sarawak/242463"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, November 8 — Despite a small Hindu population, Deepavali celebrations in Sabah and Sarawak showcased a spirit of unity, uniting people of diverse backgrounds. Roughly 5,000 Indians make up 0.2% of Sarawak's 2.53 million residents, while approximately 6,000 constitute the same percentage in Sabah's 3.77 million population, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia data from 2026.\n\nFirst-year serviceman R. Ruhthiran, 20, celebrated Deepavali away from his family in Klang, Selangor, for the first time while stationed in Penrissen Camp, Kuching, Sarawak. He expressed missing his family but enjoying his military service, describing the festival as beginning with an early-morning oil bath, followed by wearing new clothes and attending prayers at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at 8am. After prayers, the family typically returns home to visit relatives.\n\nPramod Kumar, a 67-year-old Kuching resident, said Deepavali remains a meaningful occasion, even though celebrations in Sarawak are smaller due to the state's limited Hindu population. He explained that the day begins with temple prayers, followed by family gatherings to celebrate and seek blessings, similar to practices in Peninsular Malaysia and India, albeit on a smaller scale.\n\nIn Sabah, people of various ethnicities and faiths joined the Deepavali festivities at the Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Temple in Kota Kinabalu. Geoffrey Lo, a 50-year-old first-time visitor, expressed excitement about the festival and the delicious food, calling it his first experience at the temple.\n\nSabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is set to attend the 2026 Deepavali gathering at the Sabah International Convention Centre at noon.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Despite the relatively small Hindu population in Sabah and Sarawak, Deepavali celebrations t...",
  "key_points": [
    "Small Hindu population in Sabah and Sarawak (0.2% in Sarawak, 0.2% in Sabah)",
    "First-year soldier celebrates Deepavali away from family",
    "Multi-ethnic participation at Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Temple"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The participation of diverse ethnic groups in these festivities demonstrates how religious celebrations in East Malaysia serve as vital bridges for social cohesion despite the small size of the Hindu community.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Kota Baru's oldest Hindu temple draws devotees on Deepavali",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/kota-barus-oldest-hindu-temple-draws-devotees-on-deepavali",
        "published": "2026-11-08T04:11:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}