Is it permissible for a woman who usually wears the niqab to remove it in order to attend a program that prohibits it?

Summary

The fatwa rules that it is permissible for her to remove the niqab because of the program's prohibition and to wear it again once the program ends. It adopts the view that a woman's awrah before non-mahram men outside prayer is her whole body except the face and palms, although the Shafi'i school differs on the ruling of niqab. Scholars make covering the face and palms obligatory where there is fear of fitnah and desire. She should keep a modest appearance, avoiding perfume and makeup that attract men's attention.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.