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KUDAT - Pitas assemblyman Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah, along with his wife and son, officially embraced Islam after reciting the two declarations of faith (syahadah) at their residence in Kampung Salimpodon Laut, Pitas, on Sunday.
The syahadah was guided by Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar and witnessed by Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister and State Executive Council Member for Religious Affairs Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif as well as State Secretary Datuk Zainudin Aman.
Ruddy, 58, his wife Datin Seri Asiah Udin, 56, and their son Aswady first recited the syahadah together before repeating it individually, followed by a reading of its meaning in Malay.
The ceremony then continued with the call to prayer, recitation of Quranic verses and concluded with selawat and a thanksgiving feast (kenduri kesyukuran).
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, along with state Cabinet ministers and assistant ministers.
Ruddy, who is also State Assistant Public Works and Utilities Minister was previously reported to have spent more than 10 years learning about and exploring Islam before deciding to embrace the religion out of sincerity and without any coercion.
