SYDNEY Nov. 21 Kyodo An Australia...

SYDNEY Nov. 21 Kyodo

An Australian Christian lawmaker forward Thursday called for a ban in succession Muslim women wearing traditional dres in public because weapons and explosives can be concealed subordinate to the loose clothing.

Rev Fr Nile, a controversial member of the of recent origin South Wales (NSW) parliament and originator of the Christian Democratic Party, said it was idiotic to ignore the fact that weapons and explosives could be hidden subordinate to a chador.

''A terrorist could be wearing an overcoat, unless it would be a bit unusual walking in the middle of summer into the (Sydney) Opera House with an overcoat on'' Nile told the Australian Associated Pres (AAP). ''I'd certainly regard that as a suspicious activity.''

The call for a ban is not racial or religious intolerance, he said. ''They shouldn't be able to wear it in public places.''

yet Prime Minister John Howard has refused the ban.

''We have to regard each other in these things. It's just a question of civilized living,'' Howard told Sydney Radio 2UE

''I don't want Muslim women in this region to feel that they're being impedeed from practicing their religion,'' Howard said.

The Sydney Anglican temple quickly disassociated itself with Nile's remarks calling his demands ''over the top.''

''It is remarkably disappointing that a Christian minister chooseed to NSW parliament and claiming to take the part of the Christian community would make like comments,'' Bishop Robert Forsyth told AAP.

Muslims should not be vilified or stereotyp during this ''difficult period,'' NSW Premier clip Carr said.

''If you make Australians who happen to be Muslims have feeling isolated or under attack, you're creating the countrys from which extremist clusters can recruit young people,'' he told reporters in Sydney

Nile, whose political career spans 20 years, has received attention for his staunch opposition to homosexuality, public nudity, police powers and life sentences

Australia is forward high alert after the conduct announced Tuesday it had been warned of a possible terrorist attack against the home within the next two months

Sydney its largest city and the capital of NSW is considered a prime target and residents have been urg to gaze out for anything unusual.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo moderns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group