Salam. Radical Muslim cleric Sheik Man Haron Monis has been revealed to be the ringleader in the Sydney cafe siege that has seen up to 15 people held hostage since yesterday morning. Monis was born Manteghi Bourjerdi and fled from Iran to Australia in 1996 where he changed his name to Man Haron Monis and assuming the title of Sheik Haron. The self-styled sheik did not enjoy the support of mainstream Muslims, according to community leader Dr Jamal Rifi He has gained media attention in the past for a "hate mail" campaign, protesting the presence of Australian troops in Afghanistan. Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/12/16/00/48/sydney-hostage-taker-named-as-man-monis#tdWb3PyBx07WiwIB.99 Update 1: From his website [web archive] Update 2: Fake Sheikh? http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/the-fake-sheikh-haron