What is the ruling on congregational prayer for students on scholarships abroad, what are the boundaries of the mosque in Islamic centers, can women follow the imam if there is a barrier or distance separating them from him, and is congregational prayer obligatory upon them if led by a woman?

A mosque is defined as a place endowed for prayer. This includes offices and the outdoor courtyard if they are also endowed for prayer. It is permissible for women to follow the Imam from their private room within the mosque if they can hear the takbir (call to prayer). However, if the room is outside the mosque and the Imam or the congregants cannot be seen, then according to the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools, following the Imam is not permissible. It is permissible according to the Maliki school. Congregational prayer is obligatory for a sane, adult male unless there is an excuse, but performing it in the mosque is a Sunnah (definition) (recommended practice). It is permissible for a woman to lead other women in prayer. If women are in a place where they cannot see the Imam, then a woman leading them in prayer is preferable to their following the Imam of the mosque.