“We are making more than four times an educated woman can make in a month,” said one woman who did not want her name published.

A female singer who goes by the name Hanan told Arab News that, being a widow with four children and no education, she was forced to become a singer. “I didn’t have any other means to support my children. I sing at parties and other female-only events,” said Hanan.

Hanan said it was initially difficult for her to leave her children alone at night. She, however, soon grew used to the idea. “It pained my heart to leave my children alone at night to go singing. I’ve now got used to it; it is a normal thing for me now,” she said. Hanan said her group consists of two other women: a drummer and another who does the chorus.

“At the beginning, I was paid SR2,000 to sing for the whole night. Now I’m paid SR4,000 during the weekdays which goes up to SR6,000 during the weekends,” she said.

Hanan said her monthly income from singing at parties and weddings is close to SR24,000. “I’m making a lot of money and my life has changed. I’m now financially secure thanks to singing,” she said.

A female university student who did not want her name published said she was forced to enter into the world of singing along with her 20 siblings as their father, who has three wives, is unable to support them. “I began my career singing in a chorus. I continued with this group for four years during which I made enough money to buy an organ and start my own troupe,” she said. She added that she earns enough cash to support her father, his three wives and her siblings. “With my brothers, we make up to SR5,000 per night; our monthly income ranges between SR40,000 to SR50,000. We never give discounts,” she said.

Another singer who goes by the name Ohoud said she was brought up by a female relative after her father and mother separated. “The woman, who was a singer, brought me up and taught me how to sing and make music. When she turned old and was unable to continue, I took her place,” she said.

She added that she is grateful to the woman who raised her and taught her how to sing. “I earn around SR4,000 during the weekdays and SR8,000 during the weekends,” she said. A number of African women, who are illegally staying in the Kingdom, have also turned to singing to earn money. Many of these girls are nicknamed “bats” because they only come out at night. These girls cater for a cheaper clientele charging between SR1,500 and SR3,000 a night.

An African singer, who also asked for her name not to be published, said she failed in her studies because of the continuing fighting of her reckless father and mother. “I am now singing in locations outside Makkah where I can make between SR15,000 and SR17,000 a night,” she said.

Some of the more prominent of Makkah’s singers are Moda Al-Shamrani who charges SR15,000, Rehab Al-Shamrani who charges SR12,000, Kholoud Al-Hakami who charges SR12,000, Khadija Maadh who charges SR20,000 and Badriyah Al-Tuwairqi who charges SR10,000.