It is now conditionally permitted for women to perform the Hajj or Umrah without a male guardian or mahram, according to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

In a written response to a question from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the CII said that women can perform the Hajj and Umrah without a male guardian if they are not in danger while traveling to the Islamic holy sites.

The council emphasized that if a woman travels to Makkah and Madina with other reliable female companions, she is allowed to make the pilgrimage without a male guardian under the legal theories of Ja’fari, Shafi’i, and Maliki.

However, It did clarify that a married woman should obtain permission from her husband, and an unmarried, widowed, or divorced female pilgrim must ask permission from her parents.

In an effort to improve the lives of women who face social challenges or have trouble finding a mahram, Saudi Arabia last year allowed women worldwide to perform the Umrah and Hajj without a mahram.

Prior to this modification, women could only travel for the Hajj or Umrah with a male guardian, though there were some exceptions that let them travel with big groups of other women.

Since it is a constitutional body, the CII advises legislators on whether laws are in line with Islamic jurisprudence or sharia. The parliament is not required to follow the council’s recommendations, though.