Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf

Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf
Agency name	Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Jordan)
Native name	وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون والمقدسات الإسلامية
Formed	1921
Jurisdiction	Amman, Jordan
Minister	Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs
Website	Official website

Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf

The Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf is a cabinet-level institution responsible for overseeing Islamic endowments, mosques, religious guidance, and pilgrimage affairs in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It operates within the legal framework of the Jordanian state and interacts with regional and international bodies concerned with Islamic heritage, charitable trusts, and interfaith dialogue. The ministry administers waqf properties, issues religious edicts, supervises mosque personnel, and engages with organizations involved in humanitarian relief and cultural preservation.

History

The ministry traces its antecedents to Ottoman-era waqf administration and the administrative reforms after World War I involving the Kingdom of Hejaz and the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq before the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan under Abdullah I of Jordan. In the 1920s and 1930s the office evolved alongside institutions such as the Supreme Islamic Council and later the ministries formed during the reign of King Hussein of Jordan. Post-1948 developments connected the ministry to events like the Arab–Israeli conflict and the administration of properties impacted by the 1948 Palestinian exodus. During the administration of leaders such as Zaid al-Rifai and later prime ministers, the ministry expanded its mandate to include pilgrimage coordination for Hajj and Umrah. The ministry’s history is linked to regional initiatives including cooperation with the Arab League, engagement with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and responses to crises such as the Gulf War (1990–1991) and the Syrian Civil War.

Responsibilities and Functions

The ministry’s responsibilities cover mosque administration, management of waqf registers, issuance of fatwas through official channels, and oversight of religious education curricula used in mosques and religious schools. It coordinates with institutions like the Royal Hashemite Court on religious events, collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jordan) on pilgrimage logistics, and liaises with the Hashemite Committee for Visits to Islamic and Christian Holy Sites on interfaith site management. The ministry enforces regulations established under Jordanian statutes and interacts with bodies such as the Amman Municipality, the Department of Antiquities (Jordan), and the Jordanian Armed Forces when security or heritage protection involves religious sites. It also administers the distribution of zakat-like charitable programs in partnership with entities such as the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development and international NGOs like the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Organizational Structure

The ministry comprises departments for waqf affairs, mosque affairs, fatwa and guidance, and pilgrimage services; internal units coordinate with commissions such as the Higher Council of Islamic Affairs and offices affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization when relevant. Leadership typically includes the Minister of Awqaf, deputy ministers, directors-general, and regional inspectors who liaise with governorates like Irbid Governorate, Balqa Governorate, and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority for site-specific administration. The ministry works alongside educational institutions such as University of Jordan, Yarmouk University, and Al al-Bayt University for research, and consults with religious authorities from institutions like Al-Azhar University and the Islamic University of Madinah for doctrinal matters.

Religious and Social Programs

The ministry organizes sermons, Qur’an memorization programs, and adult religious instruction in collaboration with organizations like the Jordanian Hashemite Fund, Jordan River Foundation, and charitable societies such as Islamic Relief Worldwide and the Jordan Islamic Charitable Society. It promotes social cohesion through initiatives tied to the Amman Message and participates in interfaith forums with actors like the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and the Pope’s representatives during state visits. Programs addressing refugees have involved cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, while outreach and community development projects have linked the ministry to the World Bank and the European Union for capacity-building and scholarship schemes.

Administration of Waqf Properties

The ministry maintains waqf registers, supervises endowment revenues, and adjudicates disputes concerning religious endowments, often coordinating with the Sharia courts (Jordan) and the Civil Service Bureau (Jordan) on personnel and legal matters. It manages historic properties including sites in Jerusalem, Al-Karak Castle, and mosques restored under programs similar to those run by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Monuments Fund. The ministry negotiates land use and conservation with authorities such as the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Jordan) and local municipalities, while financial oversight involves auditing entities akin to the Audit Bureau (Jordan).

International Relations and Cooperation

Internationally, the ministry engages with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, coordinates Hajj matters with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and participates in dialogues with institutions like Al-Azhar University and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization. It cooperates with foreign ministries including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the United States Agency for International Development on cultural preservation, and has partnered with regional donors such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Qatar Charity on humanitarian projects. The ministry’s participation in conferences and delegations has linked it to networks including the Muslim World League and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.

Controversies and Criticism

The ministry has faced criticism over issues such as the transparency of waqf revenue management, alleged politicization of mosque appointments, and the handling of sensitive sites affected by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Domestic debates have involved actors like opposition parties including the Islamic Action Front, civil society groups such as Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, and media outlets including Jordan Times and Al Ghad. International observers, including human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have at times scrutinized the ministry’s role in relation to freedom of religion and association, while scholarly critiques from academics at Princeton University and Harvard University have examined the institution’s place in state-religion relations.

Category:Government ministries of Jordan Category:Islamic organisations in Jordan Category:Waqf"