the security and religious institutions such as the ministry of awqaf and its affiliates are relatively remote when it comes to auditing but the recent report issued by the state audit bureau shows serious irregularities at the ministry of interior. the money spent on hospitality, gifts, parties, hotel reservations for guests of the ministry are scandalous. the senior offi cials have violated the rules and regulations and it is obvious it needs the intervention of the minister of information and referral of the issue to the prosecution. on the other hand, another report issued by the audit bureau has revealed irregularities at the ministry of awqaf — major financial irregularities and abuse of funds. the report revealed waste and misappropriation of money through excesses of decisions in securities, funds and investment portfolios due to absence of control, investment planning and measurement standards. this actually has had a signifi-cant impact on the erosion of the capital of the endowment represented in the liquidation of successful investments which are important support of revenue, but the ministry kept on losing investments for long periods and most of the assets were lost. all these irregularities are a clear indication of conflicting interests which continue unabated among most religious parties who want a slice of the cake and employment of near and dear people in the ministry for lofty salaries. this is what we have seen recently from the number of referral of several cases to the public prosecution. we must not forget what happened to the committees and centers of moderation during the management of an arab muslim brotherhood as if the experience in moderation is matchless to what we have. if we look at the under construction building of the ministry, which is fantastic in size, location and design, on a huge land off the fourth ring road, far away from all other ministries in a strange location, we shall know how much infl uence the ministry has. the ministry of awqaf spends millions for housing thousands of imams in posh localities as if the country after 70 years of the establishment of the religious institute does not have muezzins. however, this could have been easily done by using the recorded call for prayer (athan) in all mosques and save money in millions. if we look at the institutes which are being supervised by the ministry of awqaf, directly or indirectly, or those which are under the care of the ministry, we will come across strange stories. one of these institutes has been celebrating for over seven successive years graduation of young women not for qualifying in administrative, family or social work, but to celebrate the wearing of veils. i can go on and on about the irregularities of the ministry of islamic affairs and the management of the endowments and funds for care of orphans which are controlled by the muslim brotherhood which has become diffi cult to control and smells of administrative stagnation. it is strange the brotherhood even controls some publications issued by the ministry of information.
