Excerpt:
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark's government said Wednesday it will prepare legislation that would bar judges from wearing Islamic head scarves and religious symbols in court.
While the law would also ban crucifixes, Jewish skull caps and turbans, it highlights ongoing debate over Islamic traditions in Denmark, an issue that gained world attention in 2006 when Danish caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad triggered violent protests in Muslim countries.
Although there are no known cases of a judge in Denmark wearing a traditional Muslim head scarf known as a hijab, Justice Minister Lene Espersen said the law was needed because judges "must appear neutral and impartial" in court.
The new legislation has created a rift in Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's government. It was prompted by discussions over a set of dress code guidelines issued last year by the court administration, which noted that Danish law does not bar judges from wearing head scarves.