Jerusalem Islamic Waqf

The High - Awqaf Authority or the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Foundation is an Islamic religious endowment ( waqf; Arab وقف ), which exercises control and managing the current Islamic buildings of the Al -Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Waqf has this influence in the geographic region since the Muslim reconquest of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the year 1187th Israel allowed the Waqf to retain their authority over the Temple Mount, after Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem in the Six - Day War of June 1967. After the hostilities had ceased, Israel informed the Waqf Authority of its decision to keep her in control of the Haram al -Sharif or Temple Mount.

The Waqf consisting of a Director, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem ( Grand Mufti of Jerusalem ) and the Supreme Islamic Council.

Director since March 2007, Sheik Mohammed Azzam al -Khatib al -Tamimi.

Pope Benedict XVI. has been received at his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in May 2009 by the Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, together with the Director of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Foundation, Sheikh Mohammed Azzam al -Khatib al -Tamimi, and the Head of Awqaf Council, Sheikh Abdel Azim Salhab.