No subject

stupid thing that could happen to the cause of Islam as a whole. In the end
Wikipedia is very much an acceptable human face of what is in origin part of
a Western value set. These Wiki values are equally acceptable in most of the
Arab world. When we are to be "martyred" in the good cause of free knowledge
and the free exchange of ideas, it will only strengthen the resolve of our
friends to continue the work that we will be associated with.

I am quite happy to go to Egypt for Wikimania 2008. There is a risk, but
there is a risk when I get into a car, a bus, a train a plane as well. As a
pedestrian, the risk per kilometer is biggest but does that mean that I
should not get out of my house? There is a risk, but should that mean that
we leave our message unheard and only preach to our own parish?

Thanks,
     GerardM



On Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 3:31 AM, Chad <innocentkiller at gmail.com> wrote:

> Agreed.
>
> And Gerard, it's not just about bringing your baggage with you.
> Sometimes it's parts of your personality that you cannot hide
> that simply (ie: being a woman).
>
> Imagine a fake scenario in which we held Wikimania in a
> country where if you were tall you had to bow before all
> the short people you saw on the street. Effectively you're
> saying "act like you're not tall or just don't bother coming."
>
> What kind diversity is that supposed to promote? Wikimedian
> volunteers are a diverse group of people, and Wikimania is
> a manifestation of that. In a world that isn't necessarily as
> tolerant of divergent viewpoints, we have to ensure that the
> safety of the attendees is being considered.
>
> You say that "...the perception of the people that would not
> go anyway is completely irrelevant." I beg to differ. I'm not
> going, but I still am concerned for my fellow volunteers.
> If someone got hurt and it could've been avoided through
> proper safety precautions, I would feel some level of
> responsibility if I had just not voiced my concerns because
> I was told they weren't important.
>
> -Chad
>
> On Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 7:24 PM, Mark Ryan <ultrablue at gmail.com> wrote:
> > On 02/03/2008, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> >  *snip*
> >
> > >
> >  > When people come to Alexandria and insist on bringing their cultural
> baggage
> >  > and make a point of it, it will increase the risk. When people come
> >  > primarily to the conference to meet and talk about Wiki related stuff
> it
> >  > will not impact the risk to the conference and its attendees.
> >  *snip*
> >
> >  Have you missed the whole Muhammad images controversy? Attending a
> >  conference about Wiki stuff is probably the biggest risk factor at all
> >  right now. Cultural baggage fades into insignificance.
> >
> >  ~Mark Ryan
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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