Waqf Council

A local council of Jerusalemites established by Jordan in 1988 that oversees waqf properties in the city. Members are appointed by the Jordanian government. The council supervises and sets policy for the Waqf Department and issues regulations for its operations. Its mission is to preserve Jerusalem’s Islamic and Arab heritage and present it to worshippers and visitors. The council manages al-Aqsa Mosque, its facilities, and all public and family charitable waqf properties. It also oversees mosques, Islamic schools, religious institutes, orphanages, Sharia colleges, cemeteries, and Hajj affairs. The council plays a central role in the Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites—the Jordanian monarch’s charge over al-Aqsa Mosque dating from 1917. Politically, the council works to preserve the city’s Status Quo and reinforce the Islamic presence in the face of ongoing Israeli measures. Diplomatically, it serves as the primary address for foreign missions and international bodies dealing with Islamic affairs in Jerusalem. Initially composed of 11 members, the council was expanded in February 2019 to 18 members in a landmark move that incorporated representatives from across Jerusalemite civil society, not just scholars and religious figures. Two years later, four more members were added, increasing the council to the largest size in its history. And in 2026, the council was expanded yet again. Members are important public figures in the Palestinian Muslim community.