Singapore's ban on the tudung (head scarves) in schools and the possible suspension of four Muslim schoolgirls for defying the ban has come under intense criticism by Malaysian Islamic groups.

Kedah Ulama Association chairman Syeikh Abu Bakar Awang denounced the ban as a form of suppression on Muslims' right to abide by the Islamic code on dressing.

"We cannot accept the reason 'to safeguard social cohesion' as a basis to impose a ruling that contravenes the Islamic syariah decree on dressing," he said in a faxed statement to malaysiakini today.

It has been reported that four Muslim Singaporean schoolgirls face suspension if they continue to wear their tudung to class in defiance of a government ban.

The case of the students, all in their first year of primary school, has become a major issue in multi-ethnic Singapore, which imposes a strict uniform code to promote racial integration in its schools.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was reported as saying that "dress and symbols do make a difference" in the government's effort to promote racial and religious integration and harmony.

He also said that the vast majority of pupils, including Muslims, had no problem with the ban.

Weak excuse

Syeikh Abu Bakar, however, rejected the explanation given by the island's deputy premier.

He urged the Singaporean government not to be so obsessed with the Sept 11 terror attacks that Muslims are being curtailed from exercising their rights, even in the form of dressing.

Singapore has been highly concerned about racial harmony since the terrorist attacks on the United States, which was followed by the arrest of 13 Muslims last month in the island state, alleged to have links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Meanwhile, Kedah-based Malay empowerment group Teras also abhorred the ruling of denying Muslim schoolgirls their right to practise Islamic dressing, while on the other hand "totally submitting to all forms of Western ways of dressing without any qualm".

"What is most important is to educate mutual respect and understanding between different communities on religious and cultural practices, and not suppressing the rights of one community under the name of national integration," Teras president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said.

Mohd Azmi claims that the Singaporean government's indifference and unwillingness to respect Muslim religious rights is the main cause of its failure to promote racial harmony.