Lawmakers in Iran push for softening tough hijab bill

IRANIAN lawmakers have asked to amend a bill that would impose tougher penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory hijab, local media reported on Wednesday.

The bill, already approved in parliament but not yet submitted to the government for final confirmation, has stirred a heated debate in Iran more than two years since nationwide protests erupted in part over the Islamic republic's dress code for women.

Shahram Dabiri, Iran's vice president for parliamentary affairs, has requested to hold off on sending the bill for approval, according to news agency ISNA.