Copenhagen  - Danish judges, bishops, Muslim associations and politicians Thursday continued to debate the merits of a proposed ban against allowing judges to wear a Muslim head scarf or hejab or other religious symbols like a crucifix, turban or skullcap in courtrooms.

Copenhagen bishop Erik Norrman Svendsen said in his view "parliament should not pass legislation on religious symbols and dress," the Berlingske Tidende newspaper said.

He said the courts could decide on what attire judges should wear.

The Muslim Council of Denmark that groups a dozen organizations, and the Danish Muslim Union said they feared the proposed move will likely be extended to other groups like nurses, doctors and police officers.

The main proponents of a ban were the populist Danish People's Party, which provides parliamentary backing for Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right minority government.

Justice Minister Lene Espersen on Wednesday said a bill was due in the autumn that would regulate what judges should wear, saying the regulation will apply for legally trained judges, not lay judges or prosecutors or defence lawyers.

The decision was announced hours after Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Minister Birthe Ronn Hornbech slammed the Danish People's Party as "anti-Muslim" in an op-ed article.

She also said religious dress was a matter that should be decided by the judges themselves in her article in the Politiken daily.

Hornbech's dissenting view drew fire from members of Rasmussen's Liberal Party and the premier criticized her for not clearing the article in advance with him, but kept her in his cabinet.

Peter Skarup, legal affairs spokesman for the Danish People's Party, said the party wanted a wider ban comprising lay judges, jurors, teachers and others in public office, news agency Ritzau said.

The association of Danish judges queried the government's plans, noting that religious dress at present was "not really an issue" as no members had recently converted to other religions, chairman Jorgen Lougart said.

In April the speakers conference of parliament agreed that female politicians may be allowed to address the Danish parliament wearing a hejab. (dpa)