text:  The finances of each of the mosques are regulated by a _nazir_ (inspector) and _mutawelly_ (accountant ) who are bound by law to render half-yearly statements; and these offices lucrative from the opportunities they afford for malversation are usually held for life by the holders for the time being of high official stations or sometimes by the heirs of the founders who thus secure their lands from forfeiture or confiscation; or by persons to whom they have been bequeathed with power to nominate their successors