A proposed ban on allowing judges to wear a Muslim headscarf or other religious symbols like a crucifix, turban or skullcap in court has provoked widespread debate in Denmark.Copenhagen bishop Erik Norman Svendsen says the country's parliament should not pass any legislation on the regulation of religious symbols or dress codes.
According to the Danish daily, Berlingske Tidende, Svendsen said the courts should decide what judges should wear.
The Muslim Council of Denmark and the Danish Muslim Union said they feared the proposed move would be extended to other professions like nurses, doctors and police officers.
The proposal is backed by the Danish People's Party which supports prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right minority government.
On Wednesday justice minister Lene Espersen said a bill was due later this year that would regulate what judges should wear.
But in a dissenting view, the refugee, immigration and integration affairs minister Birthe Ronn Hornbech attacked the DPP proposal as "anti-Muslim". She said judges should themselves be allowed to decide what to wear.
Jorgen Lougart, chairman of the association of Danish judges has questioned the government's plans, noting that religious dress was "not really an issue" because none of its members had recently converted to other religions.
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