CAIRO — Refusing to stand for the national anthem, or insulting the country’s flag is now an offense punishable by law.

“Ridiculing the Egyptian flag and not standing in respect when the national anthem is played in public is a crime punishable by the maximum of six months imprisonment and/or $5,000 pounds [$725] fine,” the draft law approved by President Adli Mansour’s interim Cabinet Wednesday said.

Ahram Online reported the move comes amid reports of administrators at some Muslim Brotherhood schools not playing the national anthem, opting instead for songs associated with the Brotherhood.

Teachers affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood have accused Egypt’s military rulers of playing pro-army tunes in a number of public schools.

Since the July 3 ouster of Mohamed Morsi, tensions between military supporters and opponents has spread to the country’s schools and universities.