Maktab al-Khidamat
The Maktab al-Khidamat, also Maktab Khadamāt al-Mujāhidīn al-'Arab (Arabic: مكتب الخدمات or مكتب خدمات المجاهدين العرب, MAK), also known as the Afghan Services Bureau, was founded in 1984 by Abdullah Azzam, Wa'el Hamza Julaidan, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri to raise funds and recruit foreign mujahideen for the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. MAK became the forerunner to al-Qaeda and was instrumental in creating the fundraising and recruitment network that benefited Al-Qaeda during the 1990s.[1]
Maktab al-Khidamat
1984
1988
Al-Qaeda (after 1988)
United States (until 1988)
United Kingdom (until 1988)
Saudi Arabia
Mujahideen allies:
Afghanistan
Soviet Union (1984–1989)
History[edit]
During the Soviet–Afghan War, MAK played a minimal role, training a small group of 100 mujahideen for the war and disbursing approximately $1 million in donations from Muslims sourced via a network of global offices in Arab and Western countries, allegedly including approximately thirty in the United States. MAK maintained a close liaison with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency through which the intelligence agency of Saudi Arabia, Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah, funneled money to the Mujaheddin. The MAK paid the airfare for new recruits to be flown into the Afghan region for training.[2] MAK closely cooperated with the Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin faction of the Peshawar Seven.
As the war ended, a difference in opinion emerged between Azzam and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) led by Ayman al-Zawahiri over the future direction of MAK. Azzam wanted to use the wealth it had generated, and the network it created to help install an Islamic government that aligned with its vision in post-war Afghanistan[3] and opposed "fitna" among Muslims, including attacks against governments of Muslim countries. Al-Zawahiri wanted to use MAK's assets to fund a global jihad, including the overthrow of governments in Muslim countries deemed un-Islamic.[4][5] Bin Laden, MAK's most important fundraiser, was strongly influenced by Zawahiri, although he remained close to Azzam.[6]
On November 24, 1989, Azzam was killed by the detonation of 3 mines, by unknown assassins. Azzam as well as his 2 sons were killed in the assassination on their way to their local mosque for evening prayers.[7] Following Azzam's death, Osama bin Laden assumed control of MAK and the organization became absorbed into al-Qaeda.[8] Suspects include bin Laden,[9] Ayman al-Zawahiri,[10][11][12] competing Afghan militia leaders, Pakistani Interservices Intelligence Agency, the CIA, the Israeli Mossad,[13] Iranian intelligence and the Afghan KhAD.[14][15][16]