Jerusalem has lost a prominent figure with the passing of Sheikh Abdul Azim Salhab, the Head of the Islamic Waqf Council in Jerusalem. He died this Thursday evening at the age of 79, after dedicating his life to the service of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy city.
The Islamic Waqf Council mourned Sheikh Salhab in a statement, describing him as “one of Jerusalem’s most distinguished scholars and loyal sons.” The council emphasized his significant role in safeguarding Islamic holy sites and contributing to the restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Waqf highlighted that Sheikh Salhab was a “loss for Jerusalem, Palestine, and Jordan.” He leaves behind a lasting legacy in protecting Islamic holy sites, managing Al-Aqsa’s affairs, and defending its religious and legal status against attempts at Judaization and repeated incursions.
Sheikh Salhab’s career began in the Sharia judiciary, where he served as the head of the Sharia Court’s scribes in Jerusalem. He later held the position of a Sharia judge in several Palestinian cities and became a member of the Sharia Court of Appeals. In 1998, he was appointed Chief Justice of Jerusalem, becoming a leading religious and judicial authority in the city.
Subsequently, he assumed the leadership of the Islamic Waqf Council, playing a pivotal role in addressing critical events related to Al-Aqsa Mosque. This included confronting violations by the occupation and managing crises related to its sovereignty and restoration. Sheikh Salhab was instrumental in various restoration and reconstruction projects within Al-Aqsa Mosque, contributing to the re-tiling of the Marwani Prayer Hall and the Old Al-Aqsa Prayer Hall, as well as the restoration of the Dome of the Rock. His contributions to the preservation of Islamic heritage in Jerusalem will be remembered for generations to come.
