Abu Rumaysah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Siddhartha Dhar (1983-06-24)24 June 1983 (age 41)[1] |
| Disappeared | 3 January 2016 (aged 32) Raqqa, Syria |
| Status | (MIA) |
| Other names | "Abu Rumaysah al-Britani" "Jihadi Sid" "Jihadi John" "Saiful Islam"[2] |
| Citizenship | British |
| Known for | Islamism andbeing a British executioner in the Islamic State |
| Spouse | Aisha Tariq |
| Children | 5[3] |
| Criminal status | Designated as a global terrorist by the United States.[4] |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Islamic State |
| Years of service | 2014–? |
| Battles / wars | Syria |
Abu Rumaysahal-Britani, bornSiddhartha Dhar (24 June 1983) also known asJihadi Sid,[5] is a British citizen who is anIslamic State (IS) militant. On 3 January 2016, he was named as the lead executioner in a film issued by IS fromRaqqa, Syria that showed theexecution of suspected British spies against the Islamic State.[6][2] Rumaysah had been called the second 'Jihadi John', due to his British accent and appearance in the film.[7] Abu Rumaysah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States.[8]
Dhar was born inLondon to aBengali-speaking Hindu family ofIndian origin and changed his name to Abu Rumaysah after his conversion to Islam.[9][10] He is believed to be in his late 30s as of 2022.[11] He acted as a spokesperson for the Islamist groupAl-Muhajiroun, an organisation banned in the UK, and worked as an aide to Al-Muhajiroun's co-founder,Anjem Choudary.[12] Dhar also owned abouncy castle rental company.[11] He lived inWalthamstow. He used social media to promote his Islamist views and attended demonstrations in Britain against the United States, Israel, and Arab governments. In a video he posted toYouTube, Dhar described IS's self declaredcaliphate as "...a dream for all Muslims worldwide ... We can finally have a sanctuary where we can practice our religion and live under thesharia. It is a big, big thing".[2]
He spoke of his desire for the United Kingdom to be governed undersharia law on the BBC'sSunday Morning Live programme, and said of himself that he didn't "...really identify myself with British values. I am Muslim first, second and last". In 2014, Dhar was under investigation by British authorities for allegedly encouraging terrorism, but subsequently disappeared after being released onbail. Although he had been banned from travelling, Dhar departed for Paris fromVictoria Coach Station in London with his wife, Aisha Tariq,[3] and their at the time four children, later arriving at Syria.[2]
Dhar wrote a travel guide to the Islamic State in May 2015, calledA Brief Guide to Islamic State, and wrote of it that "If you thought London or New York was cosmopolitan, then wait until you step foot in the Islamic State because it screams diversity. ... In my short time here I have met people from absolutely every walk of life, proof that the caliphate's pulling power is strong and tenacious".[2]
He appeared in theChannel 4 documentaryThe Jihadis Next Door.[13][14]
As of 2025, Dhar's current whereabouts are unknown. He is either still missing or presumed dead.