(AFP) About 70 students gathered outside the Singapore high commission today to protest Singapore's ban on schoolgirls wearing Islamic headscarves.

The students handed a two-page memorandum to embassy officials which urged the tiny republic to allow Muslim schoolgirls to wear Islamic headscarves in class to promote national unity.

A Singaporean official said four students were invited into the high commission to submit the memorandum, adding that the protest was "quiet".

"It is clear, the ban is against democracy. It can create racial and religious controversy since a Sikh student is allowed to wear a turban," the memorandum said.

"We Muslim students in Malaysia urge the Singapore government to review its action to ban female Muslim students from wearing headscarves and to suspend them from school."

Singapore on Monday suspended two Muslim schoolgirls for wearing Islamic headscarves at their schools in defiance of a government rule.

"Learn from us"

Sharp criticism had mounted in Muslim Malaysia despite Singapore's objection to interference in its internal affairs.

Mustapha Ali, vice president of the opposition party PAS had said that headscarves do not disrupt racial unity.

The memorandum said Singapore should learn from Malaysia's experience of allowing its people to practice religious freedom.

"Singapore should allow Muslims in the country to send their children to national type schools wearing headscarves. This will prevent controversy and discrimination," it said.

The students dispersed after about 30 minutes of peaceful protest.

Malaysia has a majority Muslim population but large Chinese and Indian minorities, while Singapore is dominated by ethnic Chinese with a Muslim minority.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the weekend urged Singaporeans to reject foreign interference, saying "race and religious relations in Singapore are matters for Singaporeans to decide, not foreigners."