Drawing　on　social　norm　theory,　this　study　delves　into　the　nexus　between　real　earnings　manipulation　(REM)　and　Environmental,　Social,　and　Governance　(ESG)　disclosure　within　Egypt＇s　emerging　capital　market.　By　analyzing　data　from　the　S&P/EGX　ESG　index　(2013–2018)　through　a　two-stage　regression　analysis,　we　unearth　a　noteworthy　pattern:　heightened　REM　practices　correspond　with　reduced　tendencies　for　ESG　sustainability　disclosure.　Notably,　this　association　is　moderated　by　managerial　ownership,　which　diminishes　the　negative　linkage　between　REM　and　ESG　transparency.　A　unique　cultural　insight　emerges,　revealing　that　religiously-aligned　firms　leverage　REM　as　a　risk-mitigation　mechanism,　leading　to　curtailed　ESG　disclosures.　Our　findings　cast　a　spotlight　on　a　possible　managerial　tilt　towards　short-term　gains,　often　overshadowing　long-term　sustainability　imperatives,　especially　in　religiously　influenced　contexts.　As　we　advance　understanding　of　REM-ESG　dynamics　in　religious　emerging　markets,　our　study　highlights　the　pressing　need　for　enhanced　sustainability　consciousness　and　accountability　in　these　regions.　©　2023