Najmuddin Andijani, director of the Bukhariya Waqf endowment, said he and the others considering the lawsuit say Quwaihis had made false allegations and that he has nothing to back up his claim.  “There is a very tight control on the houses and the conditions of the occupants are closely watched,” he explained.

Bukhariya Waqf has provided housing to about 50 families and extends aid to 125 other families in the form of rent subsidy or food.

On his part, chairman of Al-Bir Welfare Society in Makkah, Tariq Jamal, said the council member was speaking generally and did not point a finger at any specific waqf. He said the welfare societies are supervising a number of charity homes which accommodate thousands of poor and needy families. Jamal said his society is supervising nine charity homes that provide housing to 220 poor families providing them will all required services.

“There are supervisors who look after the affairs of the occupants and closely watch the situation in the homes,” he added.