Sheikh Haron

Sheikh Haron is an Australian Muslim cleric originally from Iran. Ayatollah Manteghi Boroujerdi was an Iranian cleric espousing a liberal brand of Islam - dangerousely liberal, as his views have led to his wife and two daughters being held hostage in Iran.^[1] Later he changed his name to Man Haron Monis. He is known as Sheikh Haron and he had a website (sheikhharon.com) which was suspended after he was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on 20 October 2009. Sheikh Haron is accused of sending offensive letters to the families of the Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and his case is currently dealt with the Downing Centre, Sydney local court. The media release of the Australian Federal Police states that on 20 October 2009 search warrants were executed in three suburbs by Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism Team. He was interviewed and charged with seven counts of using a postal or similar service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 471.12 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.^[2]

After Sheikh Haron's Website was suspended, Sheikh Haron's New Website was established, the website which emphasises that "Islam is the religion of peace so a Muslim should be a peace activist".

On 10 November 2009 Man Monis faced court represented by his lawyers Chris Murphy and Adam Houda. Chris Murphy told court that Sheikh Haron was a peace activist. Outside court the Sheikh chained himseld to court in a protest for peace. The media in Australia and overseas reported that Sheikh Haron addressed journalists in Arabic for some minutes before switching to English, then strongly criticised Australia's military presence in Afghanistan. He referred to a comment reportedly made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that he could not "stomach" the allegations against him. "I ask Mr Kevin Rudd, did your stomach turn when you read the news about killing innocent Afghanistani civilians?" he said. Sheik Haron said he had sent the letters to the families offering his condolences, offering his help if they needed it, and asking them to tell the government to stop killing innocent civilians.

On 2 February 2010 the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that the Sheik wanted to send more letters to the families of the British soldiers killed in Afghanistan. AAP also on 9 February 2010 reported that Sheik Haron was banned by court to send letters to UK families.

References

1. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2001/240626.htm
2. ^ http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/national/2009/man_charged_for_sending_offensive_letters_to_family_members_of_soldiers.html

External links

News media

• http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2001/240626.htm
• http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/kevin-rudd-outraged-at-sheiks-letters/story-e6freuy9-1225790202274
• http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/man-monis-also-known-as-sheik-haron-faces-court-after-being-accused-of-sending-offensive-letters-to-diggers-families/story-e6frf7jo-1225796099914
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814524.htm
• http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/sheik-banned-from-writing-to-uk-families-20100209-np2v.html
• http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/sheik-wants-to-write-to-british-families-20100128-n1j0.html
• http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1010168
• http://www.aapimage.com.au/Search.aspx?search=SOLDIER+FAMILY+HARASSMENT+COURT%26(IMPORTDATE%3E20091109)

Official sites

• http://hosting.pcfocus.com.au/suspended.page/
• http://sheikhharon.net/
• http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/national/2009/man_charged_for_sending_offensive_letters_to_family_members_of_soldiers.html

Persondata
Name	Haron, Sheikh
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death