What is the ruling on watching and the participation of women (veiled and unveiled) in the television program "Taj al-Qur'an" in Algeria, where female reciters are shown in colorful attire and light makeup, and are judged by men?

It is disliked for a woman to raise her voice when reciting in the presence of non-mahram men, for fear of their being tempted by her voice. It is also impermissible for a woman to display her adornments in front of non-mahram men.

Based on this, it is not permissible for men to watch adorned women. There is no difference in prohibition between seeing the 'awrah directly and seeing it on television or the like, and this is the issued fatwa. However, some scholars ease the ruling regarding looking at the faces of women via television or the like if it does not lead to temptation, though it is preferable to avoid it.

As for women, the matter concerning them is lighter. It is not forbidden for them to watch the female participants as long as they cover what they are obliged to cover. Watching via television is not forbidden on the grounds that it is photography, as photographic images and the like are not included in the prohibited forms of photography. There appears to be no objection to a niqabi woman participating in such a class.