Meet Jamal Khalifa, Osama Bin Laden's Best Friend (2003)

Summary

Jamal Khalifa, once Osama bin Laden's best friend and brother-in-law, has opened a restaurant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Despite his peaceful life, Khalifa is suspected of being a key figure in al-Qaeda's operations, particularly in Southeast Asia. Western intelligence agencies believe he helped establish terrorist networks and fund plots, including a failed 1995 plan to assassinate the Pope. Khalifa denies involvement, claiming his work in the Philippines was purely charitable. Despite years of investigation, he remains free, reflecting the challenges of dismantling al-Qaeda's financial and operational networks.

Takeaways

• 🦐 Jamal Khalifa has opened a seafood restaurant in Jeddah, but is infamous in the West for his alleged role in al-Qaeda's global expansion.
• 🕵️ Khalifa is a close friend of Osama bin Laden, describing their relationship as more than brothers, though he claims they parted ways in the mid-1980s.
• 🤔 Khalifa admits to associating with questionable people but denies direct involvement in terrorism, asserting that any accusations against him are circumstantial.
• 📚 Khalifa met bin Laden at university, and they bonded while being influenced by radical cleric Abdullah Azzam, encouraging jihad during the Soviet-Afghan war.
• ⚔️ Khalifa claims his involvement in jihad was humanitarian, whereas bin Laden was focused on creating a military camp that eventually became al-Qaeda.
• 🛑 Despite their friendship, Khalifa disagreed with bin Laden's efforts to internationalize jihad and split from him around 1986.
• 💥 Western intelligence believes Khalifa set up al-Qaeda's network in Southeast Asia, using Islamic charities and businesses as fronts to support terrorist activities.
• 💣 Khalifa allegedly played a key role in funding and organizing a major terrorist plot in the Philippines, which included plans to assassinate the Pope and hijack U.S. planes.
• 🏫 Khalifa denies knowing Ramzi Yousef, convicted for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, despite the FBI finding his business card in Yousef's possession.
• 👨‍⚖️ Despite multiple arrests and a conviction in Jordan, Khalifa has consistently eluded conviction due to lack of concrete evidence, leaving Western agencies frustrated.

Q & A

Who is Jamal Khalifa and what is his public image in Jeddah?

Jamal Khalifa is a man who recently opened a seafood restaurant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Locally, he is known as a businessman and restaurant owner. However, outside of Saudi Arabia, he is seen as a terrorist mastermind with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.

What is Khalifa's relationship with Osama bin Laden?

Khalifa was bin Laden's best friend, and their friendship began during their time at university. Khalifa even married one of bin Laden's sisters, cementing their close ties. He describes bin Laden as a respectful, polite, and kind person, though he disagrees with his later actions.

How does Khalifa defend himself against the allegations of being a terrorist mastermind?

Khalifa admits to having connections with controversial figures but claims the evidence against him is circumstantial. He insists that he is open to talking with authorities and that if he had done anything wrong, he would face the consequences.

What role did Khalifa play in Afghanistan during the 1980s?

In the 1980s, Khalifa participated in the jihad against Soviet forces in Afghanistan, alongside bin Laden. However, he claims his involvement was humanitarian, while bin Laden became more focused on forming militant groups like al-Qaeda.

Why did Khalifa and bin Laden eventually have a falling out?

Khalifa disagreed with bin Laden's vision of expanding jihad into a global movement. He argued that bin Laden's direction was dangerous and tried to convince him to disband the camp and stop his plans. When bin Laden refused, Khalifa distanced himself from him around 1986.

What is the connection between Khalifa and the 1995 terrorist plot in the Philippines?

Khalifa is accused of funding and organizing al-Qaeda's operations in Southeast Asia, including a 1995 plot to assassinate the Pope and hijack multiple US planes. Though his business cards were found at a bomb-making site, Khalifa denies involvement, claiming his connection was through his charitable work.

What role did Islamic charities play in the allegations against Khalifa?

Western intelligence agencies allege that Khalifa used Islamic charities as fronts to fund terrorist activities. While Khalifa acknowledges his involvement in charitable work, he denies using the funds for terrorism, asserting that his charity helped those in need.

How did Khalifa respond to being arrested and investigated multiple times?

Khalifa was arrested several times, including in the US and Jordan, on suspicion of terrorist activities. In each case, he was released due to a lack of concrete evidence. He claims he was set up, especially in the case of a Jordanian plot where he was sentenced to death but later acquitted on retrial.

What evidence links Khalifa to the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines?

Former members of the Abu Sayyaf group claim that Khalifa helped establish and fund the organization. The group, known for kidnappings and killings, is linked to al-Qaeda. Khalifa denies these accusations, stating that if he had been involved, the Philippine government would have filed charges against him.

Why is it difficult for authorities to prosecute Khalifa despite suspicions about his role in terrorism?

Though many suspect Khalifa of being deeply involved in terrorist financing and operations, there is little concrete evidence directly tying him to specific acts of terrorism. His ability to maintain a legitimate business front and operate through charities has made it difficult for authorities to build a strong case against him.