{
  "id": 2785124,
  "title": "Sabah assemblyman, family embrace Islam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/sabah-assemblyman-family-embrace-islam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T12:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/23/sabah-assemblyman-family-embrace-islam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pitas assemblyman Ruddy Awah, his wife Asiah Udin, and their son Aswady have officially embraced Islam at a conversion ceremony held at their home in Kampung Salimpodon Laut, Pitas. The 58-year-old, who is also Sabah assistant minister of works and utilities, the 56-year-old Asiah, and their 26-year-old son Aswady made the historic decision to join the Islamic faith. Ruddy expressed his happiness at being guided to Islam, stating that the decision was made sincerely and not as a means to gain rank or position. The family had been studying Islam for over a decade to find a true way of life before making their conversion. Four of their six children had already embraced Islam, which served as their motivation for converting. The ceremony, which was livestreamed on Ruddy's Facebook page, was attended by Sabah Cabinet ministers, assistant ministers, and members of the local community.",
  "summary": "Ruddy Awah, 58, says the conversion was not intended as a stepping stone to pursue rank or position.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ruddy Awah, Sabah assemblyman, converts to Islam",
    "Family members Asiah Udin and Aswady Awah join Islam",
    "Conversion ceremony attended by officials and community"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Pitas Assemblyman, Family Embrace Islam",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/general-pitas-assemblyman-family-embrace-islam",
        "published": "2026-08-23T09:52:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sabah assemblyman, family embrace Islam",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/sabah-assemblyman-family-embrace-islam-2787239",
        "published": "2026-08-23T12:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}