Sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll -- Saudi style, Leaks by Wikileaks

"Behind the facade of Wahabi conservatism in the streets, the underground nightlife for Jeddah's elite youth is thriving and throbbing," the cable begins.
In evidence, then Consul General Martin Quinn refers to a Halloween party last year. The redacted cable reads: "Along with over 150 young Saudis (men and women mostly in their 20s and early 30s), ConGenOffs accepted invitations to an underground Halloween party at Prince XXXX residence in Jeddah on XXXX."
"The scene resembled a nightclub anywhere outside the Kingdom: plentiful alcohol, young couples dancing, a DJ at the turntables, and everyone in costume," it said.
The notorious Vice Police were nowhere to be seen "because the religious police keep their distance when parties include the presence or patronage of a Saudi royal and his circle of loyal attendants." There are literally thousands of princes in Saudi Arabia, but the host of this event was able to trace his lineage back to a direct ancestor of King Abdullah.
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The Mission of Mismanagement

This Indian Hajj Mission office is in Mina Valley. The same old story of our country. The workers are appointed on the basis of influence and not on merit. So, the chaos is obvious. When the appointees do not know how to execute their jobs professionally, then how will they give the proper services to the Hajis. Hajis are on the mercy of the Agents (Moallim). The agent doesn't care about the problems of Hajis. Poor quality drinking water supply, worst sanitation, scarcity of food, insecurity, lack of medicine, no sockets for charging mobiles in the tents, confusing tent addresses, 2 ft x 5.5 ft broad poor quality mattresses, lack of capacity and space in the tents, poor transport service from Arafat to Mina. Improper guidance, etc. None of the Indian Hajj Mission office representative visits these tents for the redressal of the Haji's difficulties. The Hajj Committee of India has no say in Makka and Madina. It is the job of Indian Consulate in Jeddah. The picture is inside view of the tent in Mina. Hajis are packed in a Cattle Class tent.

Slow Internet Connection & Hajj Expenses

Due to weak and a very slow network connection it is very difficult to post. One post takes at least 45 minutes and loading a picture irritates. This has caused interruptions. Suddenly the connection goes off. This has affected the regular blogging from Makkah. But, I have nice collection of the Hajj event which I will continue putting on this blog. InshaAllah.

There are not more than 10 Internet Cafe in this holy city. A minute telephone call to India costs Rs. 26.00. A local call is Rs.6.50 a minute.

The prices are 4 to 5 times high. Three litre petrol costs Rs. 13.00 only but the taxi fare is Rs.65.00 per person for 3-4 kms.

Normal flight from Mumbai to Jeddah and back costs Rs.18,000/- while in Hajj season the airlines charge above Rs.42,000/-

Hotels in Makkah charge Rs. 500-600, while for Hajj they charge upto Rs. 38,000/- per head.

A glass of tea is min Rs.13/- and goes to Rs. 26/- nearby Haram. A simple sandwich costs Rs. 26 t0 Rs. 39/-.

So, only the mustatee survives. Here the marketing golden phrase that the demand brings the cost down is totally reverse. Here the demand shoots the price upwards.