One of Jerusalem’s leading religious authorities and a central figure in safeguarding Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Azim Salhab, has died at 79 after decades of service in judiciary, endowment, and educational work.
Sheikh Abdul Azim Salhab, head of the Council of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites in Jerusalem, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 79, concluding a decades-long career devoted to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy city.
In a statement mourning his loss, the Islamic Waqf Council described Salhab as “one of Jerusalem’s foremost scholars and one of its most loyal figures,” highlighting his pivotal role in safeguarding Islamic holy sites and advancing restoration efforts at Al-Aqsa.
The Council said his passing represents “a loss for Jerusalem, Palestine, and Jordan,” stressing that he played a crucial part in defending Al-Aqsa’s religious and legal status amid ongoing attempts at Judaization and repeated incursions.
Salhab’s career began in the Sharia judiciary, where he served as head clerk of the Sharia court in Jerusalem, then as a Sharia judge across several Palestinian cities, and later as a member of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
He was appointed Chief Justice of Jerusalem in 1998, becoming one of the city’s most influential religious and judicial authorities.
He went on to lead the Islamic Waqf Council and became a key figure in critical moments related to Al-Aqsa, including addressing Israeli violations, managing crises linked to the mosque’s sovereignty, and overseeing major restoration projects.
Israel Briefly Detains Head of Islamic Authority, Bans Him from Al-Aqsa (VIDEO)
Salhab contributed significantly to reconstruction efforts inside the mosque, including the retiling of the Marwani and Old Aqsa prayer halls, the restoration of the Dome of the Rock, the minarets, courtyards, and the Waqf schools surrounding the compound. He also worked to safeguard Islamic endowments and their properties from attempts at seizure and raids.
Beyond his judicial and endowment responsibilities, he founded and chaired the Islamic Science and Culture Committee Association, which administers the “Al-Iman Schools” in Jerusalem, and played an active role in strengthening religious education and preserving the city’s cultural identity.
He authored several books and studies on Sharia law and endowments.
(PC, QNN)
