What is the ruling on women attending an Islamic conference with a group of men within the bounds of the Shari'ah?

The questioner : Peace be upon you, O honorable Shaykh.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

The questioner : How are you, if Allah wills, well.

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah.

The questioner : May you be well every year, O honorable Shaykh, if Allah wills. I hope your health is good.

The Shaykh : May Allah preserve you, but hey...

The questioner : Is the 'Id tomorrow, or do you not know yet?

The Shaykh : We do not know yet, but before I miss the opportunity, may you be well every year. This is not a greeting to the Muslims.

The questioner : It is not a greeting to the Muslims.

The Shaykh : It is not a greeting to the Muslims.

The questioner : Okay, can you teach me the greeting for the Muslims?

The Shaykh : With what kind of greeting? With congratulations, with assistance, for example, with Ramadan, may it help us with fasting and standing in prayer. And as for the 'Id, it is a blessed 'Id, and our Lord (Mighty and Majestic) also forgives our sins, considering that we have exited Ramadan. Is there anything specific other than avoiding the custom of the Jews and the Christians?

The questioner : So, if Allah wills, you are doing the correct greeting now.

The Shaykh : May Allah reward you with good, you have been doing this for a long time.

The questioner : ... O honorable Shaykh.

The Shaykh: It has been a long time since your voice was heard.

The questioner : May Allah bless you. And I am a bit busy with my children, and then between us... I stopped teaching at the school for a bit. I was a little afraid, if Allah wills, I have two or three questions I might ask you about.

The Shaykh : Please, go ahead.

The questioner : There is a conference being held in a city outside London, and many of the unmarried sisters would like to go attend the conference. So they asked me: Is it permissible for them to travel in the company of... in a bus that takes all the Muslims to attend this Islamic conference, or is it not permissible for them?

The Shaykh : You mean a mixed bus.

The questioner : Yes, the men sit in the front for security, and the women in the back.

The Shaykh : Okay, are these women wearing the jilbab in accordance with the Shari'ah?

The questioner : Yes, indeed.

The Shaykh : I mean, are you certain of the answer?

The questioner : Yes, O honorable shaykh, I am certain.

The Shaykh : Okay, and their sitting in the conference will be in the back rows.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh: If that is the case, and there is no form of free mixing of men and women, it is permissible, otherwise it is not.