WereSpielChequers werespielchequers@gmail.com wrote:
I did raise some of the issues about access to Israel during the bidding process - see
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimania_2011/Bids/Haifa#Arab_countries But Haifa was the winning bid and we now need to try and resolve any of the resulting issues that we can.
[snip]
The event is also going to take place during Ramadan which I assume has implications for any Moslems who do attend. Though I assume that the combination of hosting the event in Israel and during Ramadan will mean that relatively few Moslems attend. However I'd like to suggest to the organisers that they reconsider their commitment in http://wikimania2011.wikimedia.org/wiki/FAQ#Ramadan from "Is there a mosque in the vicinity of the venue? Unfortunately not so close to the venue. Most of the mosques are located in the lower (older) neighborhoods, while the venue is at the top of Mt. Carmel. We can arrange a prayer hall for Muslims at the venue. " to "Is there a mosque in the vicinity of the venue? Unfortunately not so close to the venue. Most of the mosques are located in the lower (older) neighborhoods, while the venue is at the top of Mt. Carmel. If one of the attendees requests it in advance we will arrange a prayer hall for Muslims at the venue"
It looks the organizers are already making something like this, see http://wikimania2011.wikimedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Community_in_Haifa.