Khalifa was born in 1948 in Jarabulus, Syria.[4] He spent his childhood in Aleppo where he began to participate in political activities as a teenager. Consequently, he was sent to prison twice.[4] Upon his release, Khalifa studied art and film direction in France, and was arrested at Damascus airport when he returned from Paris. From 1982-1994, Khalifa was held without trial at various state security prisons, including the infamous Tadmur Prison.[4] The National Academy of Sciences reported that he was imprisoned for suspected involvement in the prohibited Party for Communist Action.[2] Amnesty International considered Khalifa to be a prisoner of conscience.[3]