Women traveling

Dear scholars, As-Sa lamu `alaykum. What is the Islamic view on women traveling alone? Is having a mahram (a close male relative or husband) a prerequisite even if the woman can take care of herself and take necessary precautions? I am planning to attend an Islamic program in New York for two weeks but couldn't find a mahram or even a sister to come along. I have made the necessary arrangements with the organizer to even fetch me from the airport. My parents don't allow it because I will be away for more than three days and without a mahram. Can I still attend the program without my parent's blessings? By the way, I'm 29 years old. Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I am asking this question on behalf of my mother. She is in her menopausal age, around 52, and she wishes to go for Hajj. None of her mahram is going with her. She is going with her female cousin and the cousin’s son, whom mother is considering as her mahram. Is this OK? She really wants to go for Hajj. Please guide us.

salam alaikumi have 2 questions,in order of importance.1. my aunt is an immigrant,she has no source of income whatsoever as she hasnt even got legal documents etc...now the only way of making income she has is as a house worker: tidying up,cooking,baby sitting etc... for someone else, now it involves her cleaning cupboards and fridge which contain alcohol,is it hala l for her to work there,she isnt handling alcohol at all just cleaning the part of the shelf where the bottle is stored.2. how long is a musaffir a mussafir?3. i heard that an expedition of sahabas(ra)located the wall of dhul qarnain in ruins,is this true? did yajuj and majuj get released then?jazakallah khairansalam alaikum