<P> The Waqf Ministry of Jordan held control of the al - Aqsa Mosque until the 1967 Six - Day War . After Israel's victory in that war, Israel transferred the control of the mosque and the northern Noble Sanctuary to the Islamic waqf trust, who are independent of the Israeli government . However, Israeli Security Forces are permitted to patrol and conduct searches within the perimeter of the mosque . After the 1969 arson attack, the waqf employed architects, technicians and craftsmen in a committee that carry out regular maintenance operations . The Islamic Movement in Israel and the waqf have attempted to increase Muslim control of the Temple Mount as a way of countering Israeli policies and the escalating presence of Israeli security forces around the site since the Second Intifada . Some activities included refurbishing abandoned structures and renovating . </P> <P> Muhammad Ahmad Hussein is the head imam and manager of the al - Aqsa Mosque and was assigned the role of Grand Mufti of Jerusalem in 2006 by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas . Ownership of the al - Aqsa Mosque is a contentious issue in the Israel - Palestinian conflict . Israel claims sovereignty over the mosque along with all of the Temple Mount (Noble Sanctuary), but Palestinians hold the custodianship of the site through the Islamic waqf . During the negotiations at the 2000 Camp David Summit, Palestinians demanded complete ownership of the mosque and other Islamic holy sites in East Jerusalem . </P> <P> Current Imams: </P> <P> Sheikh Abu Yusuf Sneia, Sheikh Ali Al Abbasi, Sheikh Sa'eed Qalqeeli, Sheikh Walid </P>

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