Italian MP's are set to consider banning Islamic Burqas--which cover a persons full face and body--from being worn by women in public places, according to Russian news agency, RIA Novosti.

A bill drafted by Italy's Northern League party, would amend a 1975 law that prohibits people from wearing clothing that makes it impossible to identify them. The amendment would extend the law to include clothing "worn for reasons of religious affiliation."

Those in opposition to the bill denounce the extension as "unconstitutional", calling it an infringement on freedom of religion.

Accusations that the parliamentarians aims are "racist", were dismissed by at least one member of the Northern League, who called for the law to be "equal for everyone." 

With over 1 million Muslims, Italy is not the first European state to consider banning the garments, France also made a similar announcement earlier this month, after a inquiry was created in June to investigate whether the burqa poses a threat to the secular nature of the French constitution.

According to CNN, a day after the announcement was made, President Nicolas Sarkozy told lawmakers that the traditional Muslim garment was "not welcome" in France.

Al Jazeera also reported on Wednesday that Muslim scholars in Egypt were questioning controversial plans to ban face veils at its most popular educational facility, Al-Azhar University.

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