ASALAM ULIKUM, Can we conduct IJTIMAH(religious sermon/gathering) exclusively for women in Masjid . Also is there any difference of opinion among scholars regarding prayer of women in Masjid.one of scholars even objected to salah of women in MASJID HARAAM arguing that it is better to offer salaah at hotel than in MASJID HARAAH during Hajj

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is permissible for women to organize lectures exclusively for them in the mosque if this does not lead to corruption as we are not aware of any Sharee'ah evidence that prohibits it. Also, they are permitted to perform the prayer in the mosque provided they abide by the religious requirements, like wearing Hijab and not mixing with men. However, there is no doubt that their prayer at their homes is better for them as we clarified in Fatwa 98886.

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: “With regard to a woman, her (prayer at) home is better for her than (her prayer in) the mosque, even in the Al-Haraam mosque (in Makkah) and the Prophet’s mosque (in Madeenah).”

Thus, it becomes clear to you that what the scholar whom you mentioned in the question said, was said by other scholars.

In addition to this, the jurists differed in opinion in regard to women going out to the mosque, some permitted it and some are of the view that it is disliked, and some distinguished between a young woman and an old woman, and said that it is permissible for an old woman and it is disliked for a young woman.

The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: “The Shaafi’i school and the two disciples of Abu Haneefah, are of the view that if a woman wants to go out to the mosque to attend the prayer, then if she is a young woman or an old woman who is desired (for marriage or sex) by men, then it is disliked for her to go out to the mosque, and it is disliked for her husband and her guardian to enable her to do so, but if she is an old woman who is not desired by men, then she may go out [to the mosque]…without any dislikability.

The Hanafi School is of the same view in regard to a young woman; as regards an old woman, according to it [the Hanafi School], she may go out to the ‘Eed prayer, ‘Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer, but she should not go out to Jumu’ah, Thuhr, ‘Asr, and Maghrib prayers. Moreover, the late scholars of the Hanafi School are of the view that it is absolutely disliked for her to go out to the mosque because of the widespread corruption.

As regards the Maaliki School, they divided women into four categories:

1- An old woman whom men do not desire (for marriage or sex): such a woman may go out to the mosque to perform obligatory prayers and to attend circles of knowledge and remembrance of Allaah. She may also go out to the desert to perform the ‘Eed prayer and the prayer for rain. Moreover, she may go out to offer the funeral prayer for any of her family members and relatives, and in order to fulfill her needs.

2- An old beautiful woman whom men did not totally lose desire toward her, then such a woman may go out to the mosque to perform the obligatory prayers and to attend the circles of knowledge and remembrance of Allaah, but she should not go out very often to fulfill her needs, i.e. it is disliked for her to do so.

3- A young woman who is not beautiful or prestigious: such a woman may go out to the mosque in order to perform the prayer with the congregation, and she may go out to offer the funeral prayer for any of her family members and relatives, but she should not go out to perform the ‘Eed prayer, the prayer for rain, and to attend the circles of knowledge and remembrance of Allaah.

4- A young woman who is beautiful and prestigious: it is preferable for her not to go out at all.

Nonetheless, the Hanbali School of jurisprudence is of the view that it is permissible for women to go out to attend the congregational prayer with men as they used to perform the prayer with the Prophet .”

Allaah Knows best.