Leaving the Home

Girl travelling without a mahram to acquire deeni knowledge

Q: We know from the hadith that a woman is not allowed to travel at all a distance more than 3 days and 3 nights (78km) without a mahram. But would this prohibition be relaxed in the case where a female has to acquire deeni knowledge? 

Example, in her home town there are absolutely no madrasahs. So a girl travels without a mahram for more than the safar distance and then joins a girls' boarding madrasah and lives there. Will this be permissible under the circumstances? 

If not allowed: what is the status of her acquiring knowledge, will her ibaadaat be accepted there, etc?

Family vacation and trips

Q: What is the Islamic verdict on family vacation and trips, for example to parks and most isolated places where there is not a lot of people - are only the men allowed to go while the women and girls have to stay at home or can the whole family take the occasional trip/vacation to travel and sightsee?

Women going to the masjid to attend masjid programs

Q: I am a member of a Musjid committee. My question is about the ladies facility at the Musjid. 

Some committee members feel that we must invite the sisters to attend some Musjid programs, especially which take place on special occasions and in Ramadhaan, in the separate ladies facility at the Musjid. There is no intermingling in the Musjid. These programs may also include meals served to them. 

Other committee members are of the view that this must be avoided. 

Please advise which is the correct policy to adopt in this issue.